Chivu: ‘Inter squad has quality, Jones and Thuram can lend a hand’

MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale looks on before the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Cristian Chivu outlines his Inter changes for the complicated task in Cagliari, confirming that Marcus Thuram and Curtis Jones ‘could give us a hand today’ off the bench.

It kicks off at the Unipol Domus at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Nerazzurri won the domestic double last season of the Scudetto and Coppa Italia, then started the current campaign with a 4-1 victory over Monza, while Cagliari opened their term with a surprise 1-0 win away to Parma.

New signings John Stones and Jones are on the bench, but Djed Spence is taking longer to find full fitness after the World Cup with England.

Chivu makes Inter changes in Sardinia

“We know that it is never easy to play against Cagliari, they are a well-drilled team and really impressed at Parma,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

There are three changes from the side that played last weekend, with Benjamin Pavard, Petar Sucic and Luis Henrique coming in for Yann Bisseck, Piotr Zielinski and Andy Diouf.

“They don’t need to do anything, they are part of this squad and over the years shown the contribution they can give to the team.”

Marcus Thuram is still not fully fit either after some issues with France at the World Cup, while Jones could get his debut after arriving from Liverpool.

“I don’t know when Thuram will be at 100 per cent, but he needs minutes on the field, and he will get them today,” replied Chivu.

“Jones has already shown what kind of player he is, he brings a certain quality and could give us a hand today.”

The transfer deadline is looming on Tuesday September 1, and it remains to be seen if there will be any more additions to the Inter squad this summer.