The January transfer window is about to open, and one of its first big stories could revolve around Davide Frattesi. The Italian midfielder has struggled for playing time at Inter, a situation that has drawn increasing attention — not only from pundits and fans but also from Juventus and Luciano Spalletti, who are closely monitoring developments.
World Cup winner Luca Toni is among those who believe Frattesi should make a change to revive his career. Speaking on Dazn during the show Fuoriclasse ahead of Atalanta–Inter, Toni was blunt in his advice.
“Frattesi, Leave This Inter”
“In my opinion, Frattesi wants to become an important player at a big club,” Toni said. “But he sees that at Inter, he’s always considered the backup option. From Inzaghi to now with Chivu, he’s never been a starter — even when someone was missing, he was always the player for the last ten minutes.
“I don’t know if Spalletti really wants him, maybe he does because he knows him, but I think Davide should move to another big club. If you want to be a protagonist, you have to prove you can play regularly for a top side. And for me, he has to leave this Inter, because he’ll always be seen as the midfielder for the last 10 or 20 minutes.”
Toni’s comments echo the growing sentiment that Frattesi’s development has stalled at Inter, where the competition for places remains fierce.
Chivu and Marotta Respond
Inter coach Cristian Chivu addressed the issue before the Atalanta game, hinting that there are reasons behind the midfielder’s limited appearances.
“For various reasons, Davide has played less than some might have expected,” he said. “But I can’t always share everything. There are things that must stay within the dressing room — I can’t come out and tell you the whole truth.”
In the pre-match coverage, Inter president Giuseppe Marotta also stepped in to clarify the situation, describing Frattesi’s conduct as faultless.
“I want to make it clear that his professionalism has always been exemplary,” Marotta explained. “What Chivu said referred simply to a player who hasn’t found regularity. We don’t intend to keep anyone against their will — we’ll talk to him — but Frattesi is a true professional and a very good player.”
Juventus Waiting in the Wings
After recovering from surgery for a double hernia in July, Frattesi has struggled to earn consistent minutes. This season, he has played just 499 minutes across all competitions, starting only four times — twice in the Champions League, once in Serie A, and once in the Coppa Italia.
In Turin, Spalletti and Juventus are watching carefully. The Bianconeri coach knows Frattesi well from their time together with the Italian national team, where the midfielder was one of his key figures. If the opportunity arises, a reunion in black and white could be one of the most intriguing moves of the January window.
