Wesley Sneijder has completed his move from Real Madrid to Internazionale. Various Italian outlets started reporting the story early morning Pacific time. Here’s one example, and here is an English-language account.
The impact for Real Madrid is minimal. Although this would have changed as the season wore on, they were committed to not playing Sneijder. Part of that is the reality of their squad. Part of that was posturing to pressure a move.
Now that the move is done, we can think about what this means for Internazionale and Sneijder. For the player, he gets playing time and keeps himself in line to join the Netherlands in South Africa next year. Given the construction of the Dutch national team and a potential lack of playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu, it was not inconceivable that Sneijder would have had to sacrifice his spot on the national team if he stayed with Madrid.
The downside for him, other than having to relocate to different country, city, and culture, is in the tactics. Real Madrid was a very good fit for Sneijder. Capable of playing world class football as an attacking midfielder or in a wider, more traditional winger’s role, Madrid’s formations typically allowed Sneijder multiple ways to get involved in the attack. Not on the level of somebody who could take over matches, Sneijder was always complemented by players who could put him in position to display his talents, of which there are many.
At Internazionale, things will be very different. Getting Sneijder allows José Mourinho to entertain the idea of switching back to his favored formation: two wide players in attack, one central striker. To this point in the season, Internazionale had been playing Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito in a two striker formation with a diamond in the midfield to support. This tactical choice was made in part because Inter needs both Eto’o and Milito on the pitch (they don’t have a ton of other players who will contribute goals) and part because they do not have the depth in wide players to play Mourinho’s preferred tactic. Now that changes.
If Mourinho wants to play two wide, we can deploy Sneijder and Mario Balotelli with Eto’o or Milito pushing the line. He could also go unbalanced an play Eto’o slightly wider than Milito with Sneijder playing a true winger’s role. Still, while Mourinho could entertain going back to this formation, it would still require him to play one of this strikers in a unfavorable position.
That’s why most people have speculated Sneijder will play the top of the diamond, a place that would solve some problems for Internazionale though take Sneijder away from his best role. Moved in from his best, wide position, Sneijder would improve on anybody else Mourinho can put in the attacking midfielders, supporting role. Sneijder is an adept enough playmaker, and his threat at the edge of the box would be best utilized in this deployment. The question is whether the diminutive Dutchman possesses the physicality to last i that position over the course of a Serie A season and a Champions League run. Long term, he may be able to develop that stamina, but it could be much to expect him to instantly be Internzaionale’s Diego.
Sneijder would be shoe-horned into the role, but it’s Inter’s best option, as they don’t have the players to play José’s favorite formation. That says a lot about the lack of depth and versatility in Inter’s midfield. Sneijder instantly becomes their best (possibly only creator), forcing him to a central role. A team with Inter’s aspirations shouldn’t have to do this. They should be acquiring Sneijder to play him wide, in his natural, best position. Note that may still be the case, but right now, it looks like this will be a need acquisition.
Ultimately, Juventus is the better team. That’s not to say Inter can not retain the Scudetto. They move closer to Juve on talent with Sneijder’s acquisition. The question is whether they are close enough for José to win them the league.