Inter Milan's midfield is a puzzle because a French starlet doesn't fit the current formation

Since moving from Lens to Inter Milan at the end of the summer transfer window, Andy Diouf has had a hard time getting playing time.

Gazzetta dello Sport, through FCInterNews, says that the Frenchman doesn't fit into Inter's 3-5-2 structure.

Cristian Chivu paid €20 million to sign the 22-year-old in August, but he hasn't utilized him much since then.

Andy Diouf has only played 11 minutes in Serie A this season, and that was as a late sub against Torino.

Andy Diouf had a hard time getting regular playing time with Inter Milan's first team.

WALSALL, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Wolverhampton Wanderers' Andre and RC Lens Andy Diouf play in a pre-season friendly match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and RC Lens at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on July 30, 2025, in Walsall, England. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Chivu has employed Tomas Palacios less often than Diouf, so you can see how bad things are for him.

He hasn't played in the first team yet this season, since the Argentine is on the chopping block and out of the Nerazzurri project.

So, Diouf must be really sad, but his skills don't suit how Inter plays right now.

In addition, he wasn't Chivu's first choice in the summer.

Instead, the 44-year-old really wanted to sign Manu Kone, but Roma turned down the San Siro club's offer.

Kone would have fit better into Inter's 3-5-2 formation. Diouf, on the other hand, feels better in a 3-4-2-1.