Youth Recruitment Benchmark: Inter's Marotta Points To Chelsea And Arsenal As Examples

Inter president Giuseppe Marotta is using both the transfer market and stadium planning to keep Inter competitive with Europe’s biggest clubs, pointing to Arsenal and Chelsea as examples for Italian sides that want to recruit younger players and grow long-term financial strength.

While discussing Inter’s direction, Marotta also addressed the approved demolition of San Siro and the project for a nearby replacement arena. Inter and AC Milan paid 197m (173m) to the city council for control of the current stadium site, which they have shared since 1947.

Marotta highlighted how Arsenal and Chelsea reached the Champions League last 16 while relying on younger squads than Inter. In Serie A, Cristian Chivu’s team uses an experienced group, with an average

age of 27.8 years, one of the oldest regular line-ups in the division.

Only Napoli and Lazio field older starting elevens in Serie A, both averaging 28.2 years. By contrast, Arsenal’s typical side averages 23.4 years, while Chelsea’s is 25.6. Marotta believes this age gap shows how English clubs invest in emerging talent while still competing at the highest level.

Club	Competition	Average age of team
Inter	Serie A	27.8
Napoli	Serie A	28.2
Lazio	Serie A	28.2
Arsenal	Champions League	23.4
Chelsea	Champions League	25.6

Since BlueCo took over Chelsea in 2022, the club focused heavily on scouting younger profiles. During the last summer transfer window, Chelsea’s oldest new signing was Joao Pedro, who was 23 years old at the time, underlining a clear strategy towards youth.

Marotta contrasted that fresh approach with the path Arsenal followed earlier. At one stage, Arsenal diverted major funds into the Emirates Stadium project instead of transfer spending. Marotta views this choice, and the preference for younger players, as a sustainable model that Italian clubs now must adopt.

Inter, Arsenal and Chelsea finances and stadium project

The new Inter stadium is planned close to San Siro and is expected to open by 2030. Its capacity will be around 4,000 seats fewer than the current ground, yet Marotta argues that improved facilities should help Inter and AC Milan reduce the financial gap with Europe’s wealthiest teams.

Marotta stated that Inter currently earn 80m per season from the stadium, a figure similar to AC Milan. Real Madrid and Barcelona reach between 250m and 300m, and "The Blancos’ target is to go beyond 500m. " Marotta expects matchday income to more than double through modern design and weekday activities.

On the pitch, Inter arrive at the Coppa Italia quarter-final against Torino after a 2-0 win over Cremonese and sit top of Serie A. Inter also face Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League play-off round, aiming to combine on-field success with the long-term squad and stadium planning outlined by Marotta.