By Subhankar Mondal
18 Jul 2011 14:42:00
Wesley Sneijder – Inter (Getty Images)
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Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini was full of compliments for Wesley Sneijder following the 6-1 win over Mezzocorona in a pre-season friendly.
Sneijder has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, and Goal.com understands that a £35.2 million deal has been agreed in principle between the two clubs, with only the player’s contract demands threatening to derail the move.
The 27-year-old did not let the speculation affect him on Sunday, however, and he looked very comfortable in a midfield role, leaving Gasperini delighted with the Dutchman’s dominant display.
“He performed very well in that role. He has the ability to do that because he knows how to play in different positions, but today he was very good indeed,” Gasperini told Sky Sport 24.
“He brought quality to the team’s play, spreading passes around, closing down and he even scored a goal. A player who plays well and also helps the team to play better is a great element to have, as he is capable of leading the team.”
When probed about Sneijder’s potential departure to Old Trafford this summer, Gasperini remarked: “What if he were to leave? We know that things can take sudden turns in the transfer market but the truth is that Sneijder is working hard because he’s at Inter now and he’s also looking to go forward with the club.“
The former Genoa coach went on to praise the rest of his players for their stellar showing, adding: “The whole team showed today that they can adapt and the fact that they know where they have to be and where their team-mates are – regardless of who they are playing against – after just a week of training together is a good sign.
“I must thank all the players, who have helped me in every way they could. I always say that in every group there are the locomotives and the wagons; here they are all locomotives pulling Inter along.“
Inter’s next pre-season friendly match is against Cremonese at the the Stadio Quercia in Rovereto on Wednesday.