Roma and Inter meet with Manu Koné once again at the centre of a story that might have taken him to Milan. This is the third occasion on which the French midfielder could have faced Roma in Inter colours, yet he remains an essential presence in Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, protected by a club unwilling to weaken its midfield without a truly exceptional return.
Inter came close to signing Koné a year ago, before the Friedkin ownership halted the move around Ferragosto. The interest did not disappear. The Nerazzurri revisited the idea in recent months, even as the player kept his attention on France and the approaching World Cup in the United States. Speaking from Boston in June, Koné said his focus was entirely on what would be his first major international tournament, adding that any discussion over his future could wait until afterwards.
Roma’s position has remained consistent. Gasperini had already made clear at the end of last season that no player is entirely beyond sale, but genuinely irresistible offers have become rare. Selling Koné would only have made sense if the fee allowed Roma to find a replacement of comparable standard. With interest from several quarters but no proposal that met that threshold, the midfielder stayed in the capital.
Koné remains central to Gasperini’s Roma
The numbers explain why Roma have resisted. Last season, Koné completed every minute of the league campaign from matchday one through to matchday 21. A thigh problem and then a hamstring issue were the only reasons he was separated from his coach. This season he has again been involved almost without interruption, starting every match except Monday’s game against Torino, when he was rested after Roma’s first Champions League away trip.
In Gasperini’s strongest version of Roma, Koné remains a fixed point in midfield. There is little doubt he would also have been a regular under Cristian Chivu at Inter, where he might now have occupied the position expected to go to Curtis Jones.
The 25-year-old Englishman is in contention to start against Roma, ahead of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Petar Sucic, although Chivu will make his final call late. Jones has appeared from the bench in every Serie A outing so far, while his only start came at the Bernabeu in Inter’s Champions League opener.
Chivu’s faith in Jones has been established since before the midfielder arrived from Liverpool. The Inter coach had wanted him as early as January and regards him as an added asset for a squad pursuing another league title while seeking to restore its European standing. Chivu values Jones for his ability to carry the ball forward, manage possession, contribute to the build-up and finish moves in the final third.
That summer signing has eased Inter’s disappointment over Koné, but the Frenchman’s continued importance at Roma gives the fixture another layer. One club kept the midfielder it considered too valuable to lose; the other built a different answer in the same area of the pitch. Their meeting now brings both choices into view.
