Former Cagliari coach Massimo Rastelli has named Nicolo Barella as a potential candidate to earn Inter’s captain’s armband in the future. Current skipper Samir Handanovic, 37, is well in the autumn of his playing career, meaning the Nerazzurri will soon have to choose a new leader.
There are several possible contenders for the captain armband at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, and Rastelli believes Barella has what it takes to fill the role. The pair spent two years together at Cagliari between 2015 and 2017, and the 52-year-old manager is familiar with the midfielder’s qualities.
During an interview with FCInter1908, Rastelli highlighted Barella’s virtues, trying to make a case for the 24-year-old to become the new Inter skipper.
“His character, his determination, are great strengths,” he said. “Especially in the early years, he sometimes picked up several avoidable yellows due to his impetuousness.
“These kinds of excesses, like what we saw on Tuesday against Real Madrid, must be fixed, but surely what happened will help him grow.
“He has shown in very few matches that he can keep a very high level, to wear a great shirt like Inter’s easily, so he certainly has everything to become the next Nerazzurri captain.”
Barella joined Inter in the summer of 2019, carrying a reputation as one of Italy’s brightest young talents. The midfielder went from strength to strength under former manager Antonio Conte, establishing himself as a permanent first-team fixture.
He played a prominent role in his side’s title-winning Serie A campaign back last season. Luckily for new boss Simone Inzaghi, Barella has transferred his typically energetic, high-octane performances into the 2021/22 season.
Barella’s commitments and electrifying showings earned him a new contract in November as Inter chiefs decided to tie their jewel down to a new contract amid growing foreign interest. Despite his young age, the Italy international might be having an outside chance of inheriting the captain’s armband from Handanovic.