Ex Inter Milan Striker Hits Out: “Pio Esposito Would’ve Been Sold With Inzaghi In Charge”

Nicola Ventola believes that Inter Milan would’ve sold Francesco Pio Esposito had Simone Inzaghi stayed in charged.

Speaking on Viva el Futbol via FCInterNews, Ventola offered his verdict on the youngster’s future at San Siro.

Inter Milan rejected numerous offers for Francesco Pio Esposito during the summer transfer window.

Indeed, multiple clubs in Italy and abroad had tried to convince the Nerazzurri to offload the 20-year-old.

Furthermore, Napoli tested Inter’s resolve with a staggering €40 million offer.

However, last season’s Serie A runners-up rebuffed every approach as Cristian Chivu urged the club not to sell its jewel.

Moreover, Chivu had vowed to help Esposito become a permanent first-team fixture at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

So far, he has lived up to his promise.

Esposito has made back-to-back starts in the Champions League and Serie A.

More importantly, he scored his first-ever league goal for Inter in a 2-0 win at Cagliari last weekend.

Nicola Ventola Thinks Inter Milan Would’ve Sold Pio Esposito with Simone Inzaghi in Charge

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Francesco Pio Esposito of Internazionale warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Unlike his predecessor, Chivu has shown plenty of faith in the young striker.

On the other hand, Inzaghi seemingly preferred senior options.

Therefore, Ventola believes he would’ve likely sanctioned Esposito’s sale in the summer.

“If Inzaghi had still been in charge, I don’t know if the club would have relied on young players,” Adani claimed. “Pio probably would have been sold.

“The boy is lucky to be coached by Chivu, who knows him and has watched him grow – that matters a lot for a player.

“Pio responded by scoring at Cagliari after two impressive performances, but Chivu is right to preach patience.”

Despite netting off the bench at the Unipol Domus, Esposito will likely start as a substitute tonight.

Indeed, Inter Milan take on Slavia Prague in their second Champions League game of the season later tonight.