Cristian Chivu has barely had time to let the confetti settle from Inter's Double triumph, yet his mind is already racing towards the summer. The Roma...
Cristian Chivu has barely had time to let the confetti settle from Inter's Double triumph, yet his mind is already racing towards the summer. The Romanian defensive coach, a man who knows a thing or two about winning ugly and beautifully at this club, has been refreshingly candid about his own ambitions. But while he plots the next phase of his career, a more immediate concern hangs over Appiano Gentile: the fitness of Stefan de Vrij.Let's be honest here. De Vrij's injury, picked up during the business end of a gruelling campaign, is a proper headache. Chivu didn't sugarcoat it. He admitted openly that the hope is for the Dutch centre half to recover in time for the World Cup. That is not a guarantee, that is a prayer wrapped in tactical necessity. For the Netherlands, a side that has rebuilt its defensive identity on the rocks of Van Dijk and the intelligence of De Vrij, losing that cool head at the back would be a significant blow. For Inter, it throws a spanner in the works of their own pre season planning.You have to admire Chivu's directness here. So much of modern football talk is platitudes and corporate speak. This felt different. It felt like a man who has been in the trenches, who knows that the difference between a title and a disaster is often a single muscle fibre. The question now is whether De Vrij can push through his rehab without rushing, or whether he'll be forced to sit out the showpiece tournament. Squeaky bum time for the Dutch camp, no doubt.Chivu's own future is fascinating. Having orchestrated a defence that has been an absolute fortress, his stock could not be higher. He spoke of plans for the summer, of a desire to keep evolving. One gets the sense that the man who lifted the Champions League as a player feels he has unfinished business as a coach. Perhaps a bigger role within the senior setup Or is he eyeing the hot seat elsewhere He is too sharp to let this moment slip. The question is, will Inter be brave enough to hold onto himFor the fans, this is a bittersweet time. The Double is a magnificent achievement, but the game never stops. It chews you up and spits you out. Chivu understands that better than most. He has been through the fire. Now, he has to guide his troops through another summer of change, all while keeping one eye on De Vrij's recovery schedule. The real work, as any seasoned pro will tell you, starts now.
