Are Inter Becoming Too Dependent on Ibrahimovic?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with his impressive physique, acrobatic skills, and magical footwork, has become one of the top footballers in the world.

The Swedish international has started the season in style and already has five goals to his name, and he is continuing to look dangerous as the season progresses.

So just how important is Ibrahimovic to Inter?

Well, the answer is that he is essential.

Ibrahimovic, in two seasons at Inter, has become the symbol of the club.

The Inter forward single-handedly saved his club in their latest Scudetto victory, as he came on with 30 minutes left and scored both goals in the decisive round victory after Roma had got on top an hour before. Until that final day, Inter had lost an 11-point lead in the absence of their tall striker.

Although Ibrahimovic has a tendency to be somewhat anonymous against the bigger  teams, Inter’s back-to-back Scudetto successes were won mostly through their victories over mediocre teams.

The Swedish international possesses the “Pazza-Inter” mentality, being somewhat irascible, he can often be seen sulking around rather than chasing the ball. 

When in the right mood however, the forward is brilliant—not only scoring goals, but contributing artfully to the build-up and wonderfully interchanging with his team-mates.

Although Inter are topping the table along with Udinese and Napoli, the Nerazzurri have not yet become the unstoppable force that Mourinho envisaged.

So far this season Inter’s performances have varied between the brilliant and the downright dull.

The showdown at the Stadio Olimpico was an outstanding performance by Mourinho’s men in general, but by Ibrahimovic in particular. Though it has to be remembered that Roma are a mere shadow of their former selves at the moment.

However, last week’s goalless draw against Genoa showed a very different side, one that lacked both creativity and the ability to control the game. The players seemed to be waiting around for a stroke of inspiration from the Swede.

It is typical for Ibrahimovic to under-perform following his magical display against Roma, however when the forward has an off-day, the rest of the team tends to follow suit.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has stated that Ibrahimovic will play every single game—and so far he has stayed true to his word, as the forward has played every minute of their campaign. Mourinho obviously rates the player; and Ibrahimovic appears a personal favorite.

The Nerazzuri’s game is often built around the Swede’s creativity. But will the dependence the team has on him to play in every single game end up penalizing the team in the long run—as it will eventually wear out the player?

Whether or not Ibrahimovic will be able to keep up his high standards and cope with the pressure of carrying Inter remains to be seen, because there is no doubt that he is their most important player.

Zlatan is becoming what Del Piero and Totti are to Juventus and Roma respectively:;The talisman upon which the rest of the team relies. 

Something which is not necessarily a good thing, particularly on the shoulders of the sometimes inconsistent and emotional Ibrahimovic.