Inter’s Midfield Shuffle: How Inter Plan to Replace Curtis Jones After 3-4 Week Injury Diagnosis

FolioPitch.com – 08 October 2026 | Inter Milan have been dealt a significant blow with the news that summer signing Curtis Jones will be sidelined for three to four weeks due to an adductor injury. The 25-year-old, who arrived from Liverpool for €35 million, has made a promising start to his Nerazzurri career, but his absence leaves coach Cristian Chivu with a selection dilemma ahead of Sunday’s Serie A clash with Parma. Here’s how Inter plan to replace Curtis Jones after the 3-4 week injury diagnosis.

Jones underwent medical tests on Thursday morning, which confirmed the adductor issue. The Englishman had started Inter’s most recent match before the international break, a 2-2 draw away at Roma, alongside Nicolò Barella and Piotr Zieliński. His injury means Chivu must reshuffle his midfield for the visit of Parma, with several options at his disposal.

Chivu’s Options in Midfield

Assuming Chivu sticks with Barella and Hakan Çalhanoğlu in the starting XI, he still has a choice of Zieliński, Petar Sučić, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Aleksandar Stanković to fill the void left by Jones. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Croatia international Sučić has emerged as the frontrunner to replace the injured Englishman.

Sučić’s case is strengthened by his freshness: he came off the bench in Croatia’s final game of the international break, whereas Zieliński started all four of Poland’s matches and played the full 90 minutes on Monday night. That workload could count against the Polish veteran, who may be rested. Mkhitaryan is next in the pecking order, but there is a sense that Stanković will also get opportunities during Jones’s absence.

Sučić the Emerging Favourite

Petar Sučić, the 22-year-old Croatian midfielder, has been gradually integrated into the Inter squad since his arrival. His energetic style and ability to break up play could provide the dynamism that Jones brought to the side. La Gazzetta suggests that Sučić’s freshness gives him the edge for the Parma game, but Chivu will assess all options in training before making a final decision.

Meanwhile, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the experienced Armenian, remains a reliable option. His creativity and tactical intelligence make him a valuable asset, but at 37, he may not be able to play every minute. Aleksandar Stanković, the young Serbian, is also pushing for more game time and could be handed a chance to impress.

Impact on Inter’s Season

Jones’s injury comes at a busy period in the season, with Inter facing a crucial run of fixtures in Serie A and the Champions League. The midfielder’s absence will test the squad’s depth, but Chivu has shown faith in his rotation policy. The coach will need to manage his resources carefully to avoid further injuries.

How Inter plan to replace Curtis Jones after the 3-4 week injury diagnosis will be a key talking point in the coming weeks. The solution may not be a direct swap but rather a collective effort to fill the gap. Barella and Çalhanoğlu will need to shoulder more responsibility, while the likes of Sučić and Mkhitaryan must step up.

Conclusion

Inter’s midfield depth will be crucial in the coming weeks as they navigate the absence of Curtis Jones. With Sučić the likely replacement against Parma, Chivu has the luxury of choosing from several capable players. How Inter plan to replace Curtis Jones after the 3-4 week injury diagnosis could define their season, but the club’s squad strength suggests they can cope. The coming matches will reveal whether the chosen replacement can fill the void left by the Englishman.