Things certainly have not been going to plan for Radja Nainggolan since his move to Inter, and it appears the player has had enough of the club.
The Belgian midfielder moved to Milan in a €13million plus players deal from Roma in the summer, with many hailing it as a massive coup for Inter. Some expected them to challenge Juventus for Serie A supremacy this term, but the season has not played out that way.
They sit a massive 16 points behind their rivals in the league, while they also failed to progress from their Champions League group after a disastrous home draw to PSV in the final game.
Despite this being a season filled with disappointments, Nainggolan has perhaps been the biggest one. While he has managed to find the back of the net on three occasions, his time at the San Siro has hardly gone swimmingly. The player was recently suspended by the club for disciplinary reasons, having been repeatedly late for training.
Now a phone conversation of Nainggolan's has leaked, in which he expresses his dislike for Inter and their fans and speaks of his desire to return to Roma.
Mamma mia, I’m making a mess here. I want to come back (inaudible). I’d give anything to be done here. It’s all right, at first I’ve always given everything on the pitch and up until now they’ve kept quiet. And soon enough, if any of those Interisti come to kiss my ass, I swear, I’ll give all of them hell.
Well, I’m good enough friends with Totti, maybe I will push him... but then I’ll have to cause a ruckus to be able to get out of here.
Ouch. The player is clearly not a fan of his new surroundings, and certainly seems regretful over the move. While it is unclear when this conversation took place, it is doubtful his feelings have changed. On Inter's behalf, the feeling may well be mutual. It appears Nainggolan's time at the club may already be over, although it is uncertain if Roma will move for the midfielder.
They will be all too aware of the player's faults, and of that there seems to be many. Nainggolan is known for living a lifestyle that is not exactly typical amongst elite athletes, with his partying and smoking known to have angered managers in the past. Roberto Martinez apparently left him out of the Belgium World Cup squad for this reason.
A big money move to China has been mooted, but it would a pity to see a player of Nainggolan's obvious talent take that route at this stage of his career.
