Lautaro Martinez Motivated for Big Season, Chivu Confirms Esposito’s Vital Role

FolioPitch.com – 29 August 2026 | Inter head coach Cristian Chivu has made his stance crystal clear as the Nerazzurri prepare for Sunday’s Serie A trip to Cagliari. In a wide-ranging press conference, the Romanian tactician delivered a confident message that can be summed up in a single phrase: Chivu Lautaro ready for a big season Esposito knows his position within the group. That mantra, he insisted, reflects the true state of his squad as they look to defend their Scudetto.

Speaking to SportMediaset on Friday, Chivu addressed the persistent rumours linking Lautaro Martinez with a move to Barcelona. The Spanish giants have been reported to be keen on signing the Argentine captain, but Inter have always maintained that he is unsellable. Chivu reinforced that stance with an emphatic endorsement of his skipper’s mindset and commitment.

Chivu: Lautaro is ‘Our Captain’

“Lautaro is our captain, for the reason that he loves this shirt and this will be the ninth year for him in this squad,” Chivu said. “He’s motivated and has a lot of ambition despite the disappointment of a lost World Cup final. He has the right ambition, he returned from the World Cup as early as possible, he cut his holiday short and only had a few days off before coming back to work. I think he’s ready to have a big season.”

The coach’s confidence in his captain is part of a broader philosophy that he outlined when discussing team selection and squad rotation. With the additions of Curtis Jones from Liverpool and Andy Diouf, Inter now have eight senior midfielders competing for three starting spots. But Chivu stressed that fixed starting positions are a thing of the past.

“We don’t have fixed starters, because fixed starting positions don’t exist in football,” he explained. “We’re interested in having a competitive level, we’re interested in individuals with different characteristics who give their all to be available to the group.”

Pio Esposito‘s Role: Raising the Level

One player who has embraced that team-first mentality is young striker Pio Esposito. The 21-year-old has impressed in pre-season and earned praise from his manager for his attitude and understanding of his role within the squad. Chivu highlighted how Esposito’s self-awareness helps the entire group improve.

“Pio, for example, is important for us because he knows where he is within the group and helps to keep the levels in training high and raises the level in that department,” Chivu said. This is a player who, despite not being an automatic starter, understands that competition for places benefits everyone. Esposito’s willingness to contribute without complaint is exactly the kind of mentality that defines a title-winning dressing room.

The story of Inter’s pre-season has been one of intense internal competition, and Chivu made it clear that the mantra “Chivu Lautaro ready for a big season Esposito knows his position within the group” is not just a catchy headline but a practical reality for his squad. It reflects the balance between a world-class captain leading by example and a young striker accepting his role as a squad player who can still make a difference.

Transfer Market Assessment

The coach also gave his verdict on Inter’s summer transfer activity. The arrivals of Jones, Diouf, and other reinforcements have added depth and quality to a squad that was already strong. Chivu was pleased with the business done by the club.

“We’ve had a fluid transfer market and have tried to bring quality and raise the level in what was already a strong and competitive squad,” he said. “We have an obligation to maintain a high level and keep hold of the good things that we’ve done over the last few years.”

When pressed on which teams or players would stand out in the upcoming 2026-27 season, Chivu was coy, refusing to single out opponents. “I can’t name specific teams or individuals from other teams, but I think that Serie A has a cohort of serious individuals who raise the level of their teams and raise the level of the whole league,” he said.

A Season of High Expectations

As Inter prepare to face Cagliari at the Unipol Domus, the sense of anticipation around the team is palpable. The blend of experienced stalwarts like Lautaro Martinez and promising talents like Pio Esposito gives Chivu a versatile squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. The coach’s public backing of his captain and his clear-eyed assessment of squad roles suggest that Inter are in a strong mental state heading into the new campaign.

For the fans, the message is reassuring. The team’s leader is motivated and ready to deliver, while every player knows exactly what is expected of them. The phrase “Chivu Lautaro ready for a big season Esposito knows his position within the group” may sound like a mouthful, but it perfectly captures the essence of Chivu’s project at Inter: a captain at the peak of his powers, a young star embracing his supporting role, and a coach who has full trust in both.

With the season opener just days away, Inter’s supporters can look forward to watching a squad that has been carefully assembled and mentally prepared for the long road ahead. If Chivu’s confidence in his players is justified, the Nerazzurri could be in for another memorable campaign.