Why Gianni Bezzi defends Inter’s patience on Palestra

Italian football journalist Gianni Bezzi defended Inter Milan’s measured approach to the Marco Palestra transfer after the young right‑back opted for Chelsea, saying the club was justified in taking time. Bezzi spoke to TMW Radio, with his comments relayed via FCInter1908, amid the summer’s intense interest.

“I understand Inter’s behaviour too, they thought about it a lot before closing the operation,” Bezzi told TMW Radio, explaining the club’s deliberation before finalising any deal. He added that Inter considered the move carefully, reflecting on the player’s potential impact.

He questioned whether Palestra was already a player of such quality to become a turning point for Inter and Chelsea, noting that “for me he was someone who still needed a step of growth.” The journalist highlighted the gap between the hype surrounding the defender and his developmental stage.

“It is a great exaggeration, Palestra is no Maldini. Maybe he will explode, but I have some doubts, and Inter were right to think carefully about it,” Bezzi said, drawing a direct comparison with the legendary defender and expressing skepticism about the youngster’s readiness.

Bezzi also pointed out that the player “made a personal choice to play in one of the most important leagues, but it was also an important economic choice,” underscoring both sporting and financial motivations behind the move. He noted that Inter had been close to completing the transfer before Chelsea intervened.

The development, is a blow for Inter, but he suggested it could become a blessing in disguise if the talent’s progress does not match the enormous expectations placed on him. The comment reflects the club’s perspective on managing risk in the transfer market.

Marco Palestra of Cagliari Calcio reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Cagliari Calcio at Artemio Franchi on January 24, 2026 in Florence, Italy. The photograph was taken by Gabriele Maltinti.