With the January transfer window just over 2 months away, we look at what the future might hold for Nemanja Vidic.
It is fair to say that Vidic’s time at Inter has not been the success that was expected when he moved to the Giuseppe Meazza from Manchester United at the end of the 2013/14 season. The Serbian centre-half was out of contract with United in the summer of 2014, and therefore signed a pre-contract agreement with Inter in the January of that year, following disenchantment with the tactics and strategy of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor, David Moyes. One suspects that if Vidic had known that Moyes would not last the season as United manager, he would have remained at Old Trafford instead of making the trip to Italy.
The start of Vidic’s first season at Inter was little short of disastrous. He conceded a penalty and was sent off in his first league game against Torino, then in the third week of the season he was at fault for Franco Vazquez’s goal in Inter’s 1-1 draw away at Palermo. The 34 year old, made only 23 appearances as he struggled to make an impact in Serie A, although the back end of the 2014-15 season saw him put in some impressive performances and regain his place in the team. There were games however, particularly at the start of the season, when he looked a shadow of the player who was widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world during his time at United. There is little doubt that Vidic’s physical combative style of play has done little to preserve his body, and it is evident that this, and playing through injuries towards the latter part of his time whilst at United, has taken it’s toll.
Vidic has missed all of Inter’s games this season following undergoing surgery on a slipped disc in his back in August, and with Roberto Mancini having brought in the likes of Jeison Murillo, Alex Telles, Joao Miranda and Martin Montoya in the summer transfer window, Vidic will likely get limited opportunities to show the abilities that saw him become a key component in United’s success under the latter part of Ferguson’s reign. Vidic’s game time opportunities will also be more limited than normal given Inter’s absence from European competitions following their 8th placed finish in Serie A last season.
Inter’s defensive record has been excellent this year, conceding only seven goals in the first ten games, four of which came in the Nerazzurri’s 4-1 defeat to Fiorentina. Close followers of Mancini’s managerial career will know that his strategy, whenever he joins a club as manager, is to sort the defensive line first, before progressing the style of play with more expansive attacking options. Whether Mancini will look to disrupt the existing defensive partnerships which have served Inter so well at the start of this season, bar the Fiorentina defeat, remains to be seen.
The Serbian has a further two years remaining on his contract at Inter, however there are reports that both Inter and Vidic would not be displeased if they were to part ways in January. Mancini however, knows Vidic well from their times in opposition when the former was manager of Manchester City, and will likely be conscious of the abilities that the Serbian can bring to the defensive line. There are however reports that Mancini is preparing to put several Inter players up for sale in January, with Vidic reportedly being one of those who is likely to be deemed expendable.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 16: Alessandro Matri of Juventus FC is challenged by Nemanja Vidic of FC Internazionale Milano during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Juventus FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 16, 2015 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
If there were to be a parting of the ways, what options might there be available to Vidic in the January transfer window? There are reports that Inter owner, Erick Thohir, might look to persuade Vidic to move to the MLS, with DC United, in whom Thohir has the majority financial interest, being reportedly interested in taking the centre-half. Other options might also include a return to the Premier League, with Everton likely to lead the list of suitors given the recent injury suffered by Phil Jagielka, and the continuing rumours linking John Stones with a move to Chelsea in January.
Everton Manager, Roberto Martinez, made inquiries of Vidic’s availability back in July, and will be fully aware of the importance of having an experienced centre-half at the club should Jagielka’s injury keep him out longer than the nine weeks which has initially been reported. One suspects, however, that Vidic will not be short of suitors, although the extent of his wages might deter some clubs from following through any initial interest; as such, Inter might need to consider whether they will contribute to a proportion of Vidic’s salary if they wish to off-load him.
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