An early substitution in the Biscione’s latest Serie A clash has left the former Monaco midfielder’s place in the starting XI in doubt and questions must be raised as to whether he can adapt to Frank De Boer’s philosophy.
Geoffrey Kondogbia’s future at Inter should be assessed after he was substituted in the first half against Bologna on Sunday afternoon.
The French midfielder was struggling to get into the game and he was dispossessed in midfield, which resulted in Bologna going on the counter-attack and Mattia Destro opening the scoring.
He was replaced with Ivorian starlet Assane Gnoukouri after just 28 minutes and the decision made by Biscione coach Frank De Boer was a tactical one.
Gnoukouri played well when he entered the game, completing 47 passes with a passing rate of 85 per cent against the Felsinei. The whole Inter team also improved and they scored a deserved equaliser thanks to Ivan Perisic’s sublime side-volley.
De Boer vented his frustration at Kondogbia by criticising his passing and accusing him of lacking obedience after the game.
“Before the game, we talked about it and talked about how he had to play simple, and on the Bologna goal he did not do that,” he said to Mediaset Premium.
“We already talked about this and he makes these mistakes often. We have told him many times, but he doesn’t want to listen.”
Inter acquired Kondogbia from Ligue 1 club Monaco for €31 million in the summer of 2015 but he has failed to justify such a hefty price tag.
Although he operates as a central midfielder, he is more known for his defensive qualities than for any offensive talent and he is more of a labourer than a creator.
The Frenchman struggled under the more pragmatic approach of Roberto Mancini and he is starting to look out of place under De Boer’s attacking system. As his philosophy develops, the Dutchman will probably need midfielders with more creativity and fewer midfielders like Kondogbia.
If he cannot adapt to De Boer’s tactics, the Frenchman should consider leaving the Nerazzurri or the club should contemplate selling him, even if it means selling him at a significant loss.
Some players take time to adapt and then there are others that just won’t make it. The 23-year-old might need to leave Serie A because he isn’t adapting to the tactical nature of Italian football.
Age might be on his side and it means that he should have more time to develop but form counts heavily against him.
Competition for spots is another issue. Inter have, as well as Kondogbia, Gnoukouri, Joao Mario, Felipe Melo, Gary Medel and Marcelo Brozovic in central midfield but there simply isn’t room for all of them.
Melo has barely played and doesn’t suit De Boer’s approach but Joao Mario has been solid when he has played, Medel has played in all six Serie A games so far, and Brozovic possesses a greater attacking threat than the other central midfielders.
There was speculation of Brozovic leaving in the summer but he has remained at the club and perhaps they should consider putting Kondogbia on the market instead of the Croatian.
It does not look like Kondogbia will become a success with Inter anytime soon so he needs to try and adapt to the methods of his new coach or seek a future elsewhere.
