It was highly anticipated that Cristian Chivu would be an important player for Inter Milan this season after just extending his contract in the summer. However, the Romanian defender has been out for most of the season due to a foot injury and he recently underwent an operation. His future in the game is in serious doubt since he does not have a contract beyond the end of the season. At 33 years of age, it is looking unlikely that he may return to be the player he once was at the likes of Roma. Chivu has been one of the finest defenders in Italian football over the last decade.
He has been at Inter Milan for several years now, but the 33-year-old was widely speculated to be on the verge of leaving the club in the summer. He ended up staying after signing a new one-year extension, but that extension is about to expire. The defender is widely expected to announce his retirement after undergoing the third operation in his right foot. He is suffering from a ligament injury that is a recurring constantly. Former Roma manager Luciano Spalletti has extended his support to the player, who he once managed at Roma.
“Chivu is a great man as much as he is a great player. With me, we understood each other immediately and he put himself at my disposal, thanks to his ability to play multiple roles. His best characteristic, however, was to be open-minded and try to lend a hand to anyone who asked him for help. He is a great man and the results I obtained in Rome I owe some thanks to the value of Chivu,” said the former Roma coach, who last managed Zenit St Petersburg a few years ago.
Inter have been struggling with out of the presence of Chivu at the back.