André Onana will have to settle for a role as second goalkeeper for the time being, trainer Simone Inzaghi announced at the press conference on Tuesday evening. Not entirely unexpectedly, the closing post from Ajax has to tolerate Samir Handanovic in the pecking order. “Handanovic will start, because he earned it with his performance last season,” said Inzaghi.
Things looked rosy for Onana at the end of last season. The Cameroonian decided not to extend his contract with Ajax to enter into an employment contract with Inter. He would become the first goalkeeper there, partly because of Handanovic’s expiring contract. The latter did receive a proposal from the club management, but initially did not agree to it. The Slovenian goalie agreed with a second offer, after which Inter, according to La Gazzetta dello SportHandanovic is said to have pledged to be number one under the bar next season.
On Tuesday evening, the trainer confirms the earlier reporting of the pink sports newspaper. “Handanovic will start, because he earned it with his performance last season. He was excellent. We know how good Onana is. For Inter, he is the goalkeeper of the future and this season he will have the opportunity to show what he can do. It will be an unusual season, because we have 20 games in three months and then the competition stops for 50 days,” said the coach, who refers to the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Earlier this year, Onana opted for a five-year contract with Inter, which will take over the goalkeeper from Ajax on a free transfer. The closing post lost his base place at Ajax at the end of the season, as Erik ten Hag chose Maarten Stekelenburg. Onana was not even in the match selection in Ajax’s last matches in the Eredivisie.
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