Mancini backs Kondogbia to emulate Platini, Van Basten
 |
| Getty Images |
The France midfielder was expected to impress from the start after joining Inter Milan from Monaco on a five-year deal worth around €35m during the close season. Kondogbia, by contrast, has struggled to adapt to life in Italy and spent the past few games either leaving or joining the substitutes' bench. Mancini, however, said the club are fully behind the 22-year-old and expect him to overcome his difficulties.
"I believe Geoffrey will become a great midfielder," said the Inter coach. "We all hold him in high esteem. He shouldn't be worrying. Van Basten, Platini and plenty of other players had some difficulties when they first started playing in Italy."
Hailed as a key player for Inter when he joined the San Siro outfit in the summer, Kondogbia has instead found the Italians' disciplined, tactical approach to football tougher than expected. Playing among Mancini's three-man midfield, in a 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-1-2 formation, has not helped either.
Kondogbia was replaced by Andrea Ranocchia at half-time in a stunning 4-1 defeat at home to Fiorentina last month and, in Inter's next league outing, went off for Jonathan Biabiany late in the second half in a 1-1 draw at Sampdoria. Kondogbia was left on the bench last week when Inter welcomed champions Juventus to the San Siro, only making a cameo appearance at the death before the game finished scoreless.
It was only when Mancini adopted a 4-2-3-1 for the Berlusconi Trophy against AC Milan in midweek, a friendly fixture played to honour the father of Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, that Kondogbia soared. Playing just in front of the defence, Kondogbia scored the goal that earned a second string Inter side. It was the Frenchman's first goal since he helped fire Monaco into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League last February.
"He played well besides scoring the goal," said Mancini, who added that Kondogbia should not be worried about his time spent on the subs' bench. "It will happen to others too because we'll be playing three times in a week."
Scudetto challenge
Inter, who last won Serie A in 2010 when they claimed a treble of league, Coppa Italia and Champions League under Jose Mourinho, are considered bona fide contenders for the Scudetto this season after investing heavily in the summer.
Ahead of Saturday's trip to Palermo, I Nerazzurri sit third, behind Roma on goal difference and one point shy of leaders Fiorentina. Four-time consecutive champions Juventus are 14th, nine points off the lead. Mancini did not rule out asking club owner and president, Erick Thohir, for reinforcements during the winter transfer window.
He said: "I haven't spoken to Thohir, maybe a little further down the line. We'll take stock of the situation in the next six weeks. If we're going to win the Scudetto, it's down to us but we know we have to improve."