2. Inter Milan
On the final day of May, Inter Milan appointed Antonio Conte as their new manager. They then spent June, July and August steadily acquiring the players he needs to be a success, the charge led by Sporting Director Beppe Marotta—the genius who helped build Juventus’ dynasty from 2010 to 2018.
Few centre-backs have shut down Champions League attacks as resolutely as Diego Godin over the past decade, while the exciting midfielders Stefano Sensi and Nicolo Barella should push on after joining from Sassuolo and Cagliari. Romelu Lukaku is the perfect player to lead the line; Valentino Lazaro and Cristiano Biraghi revamp the wing-back areas.
They’ve taken a punt on Alexis Sanchez, who joins on loan without an option to buy. If it works it’s a masterstroke; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter. In addition, they won the battle against Icardi, who eventually left to Paris Saint-Germain on loan.
3. Fiorentina
After finishing 16th on the table for season 2018/2019, owners had no choice buy to sell the club to wealthy Italy-born businessman Rocco Commisso. They did not make a wrong choice. Rocco Commisso was born in Calabria and moved to America aged 12 as a poor immigrant, but is now worth an estimated $5 billion after founding cable company Mediacom. He returned to Italy in June in triumph as new President of Fiorentina, ending 17 years of Della Valle rule.
Commisso has since wasted no time in bringing change to Fiorentina, financing a squad rebuild that has seen the likes of Ribery arrive from Bayern Munich. They also added experienced Ghanaian star Kevin-Prince Boateng to their ranks, as well as Bologna’s rising star Erick Puglar. In defence, they brought Pol Lirola and former Juventus and Barcelona defender Martin Caceres, both have already acknowledged as accomplished in Serie A. Even, the Viola’s former captain Milan Badelj agreed to return to Florence in a bid to regain his form and playing time.
In addition, Montella’s side went on a shopping spree in England, as they eventually lured Bobby Duncan from Liverpool and Rachid Ghezzal from Leicester City, respectively.
