A chapter has closed for Inter with their star striker Samuel Eto'o leaving the former Italian and European champions.
The one thing all Inter fans will miss is his great talent and vision in front of goal. Every time Eto'o had the ball it was almost a sure goal or a great pass that lead to a goal. You do not find to many players that have that kind of talent anymore.
Yes Milan have Ibrahimovic but the big difference between these two players is that Eto'o is a proven player in the Champions League while Ibra seems to disappear at these big competitions.
Eto'o has basically chose to end his career in Russia with Anzhi. I don't think it was the desire to play in Russia, but the €30 million in the next three years was the deciding factor. At 30 years of age, you don't see too many players getting contracts like that.
Saying this he did do Moratti a great favour as Inter in return were paid an estimated €21 million for his transfer.
This was definitely a great deal for Moratti as Eto'o was included in the deal of Ibrahimovic going the opposite direction to Barcelona with Inter getting an approx €50 million for Ibrahimovic as well.
Saying all this Eto'o has saved Moratti millions on his wages and also he enabled the Inter chief to make a huge profit from his sale.
We could say Eto'o left Inter with a lucrative going away gift.
Now Inter do not have Eto'o anymore, what will happen now? who can the team rely on up front??
Milito will always be in the hearts of all the Inter fans as he scored in all three competitions that enabled Inter to win the Serie A title, Coppa Italia and finally the Champions League.
But is Milito at his best? will he be able to continue a whole season without the injuries he had last season? this we will soon find out, and a great test will be this weekend against Lecce.
Then we have Pazzini. The former Sampdoria striker is a fantastic acrobatic in front of goal. Saying this, Pazzini has also been known to go through long dry spells in front of goal as well.
Pandev could be on his way out this week as with the new players reported to be coming in, the Macedonian might move down the pecking order on the bench.
Many names have been mentioned during the week. Players such as Diego Forlan, Lavezzi and even Lazio's Mauro Zarate are all in contention to signing with Inter.
The deal that looks close to being finalised is with 32 year old Diego Forlan. The Atletico Madrid player was not even included in the squad that played in the Europa League match on Thursday evening.
As I mentioned in my previous article, Diego is a proven striker that hopefully will fit in well with the Italian giants. Even though he is 32 years of age, he is still a great player in front of goal.
The big job now in the coming weeks before the Champions League campaign starts is how Inter coach Gasperini is going to work with these forwards.
Hopefully he will find the right combination fast...
By the way, if anybody missed it this is the full letter that Eto'o wrote to Inter and it's fans:
"I think it is right and fair to thank the people who have given me so much in these two fantastic years that I've spent at Inter. First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and most cordial greetings to the president, Mr Massimo Moratti, and to his family for everything they have done and for the way they have helped me and those dearest to me. I will always feel a special bond with Mr Moratti for the respect and the affection that he has shown me in these marvellous years.
Then there are all my team-mates: I'm aware that without their encouragement and help on the pitch Inter wouldn't have achieved so many important victories on a national and international level. A very special thank you, also, to all the Italian and foreign footballers who have enabled me to become a better player game after game.
A sincere thank you to the coaches who have been at Inter in these years and especially to Mr José Mourinho, who was so determined to have me at this club, for the opportunity he gave me by bringing me to Milan.
A fond farewell also to technical director Marco Branca, sporting director Piero Ausilio, team manager Andrea Butti and all the staff at F.C. Internazionale and at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti in Appiano Gentile: doctors and physios, helpers, chefs and waiters, kit men and gardeners, and everyone who works at Inter Channel.
I will never forget the affection of the Inter fans (Mauro is the greatest of them all) who made me feel like one of them and who always supported and helped me. Nor will I forget all the journalists I've had the pleasure of meeting.
I also feel I should thank my Italian 'mamma', Ciacia Guzzetti, for her help and my fantastic manager, Claudio Vigorelli, for his commitment and professionalism.
Thanks to a man who is an Interista through and through, Marco Materazzi, for making me feel 'Italian'. Thanks big bro.
In the hope that I haven't forgotten anyone, thanks again to every one of you!"
Samuel Eto'o
