Yanis Massolin handed Serie A platform as Algeria monitor his progress

Yanis Massolin has moved from Inter Milan to Cagliari on loan, giving the 23-year-old midfielder an opportunity to establish himself in Serie A and strengthen his case for a future Algeria call-up.

The deal includes an option for Cagliari to buy the Franco-Algerian, as well as a buy-back clause for Inter. While the transfer may appear to be a routine late-window move, it could prove an important step in Massolin’s development and his hopes of playing international football for the Fennecs.

Algeria are preparing to begin a new cycle, with Brahim Hemdani’s arrival as manager announced and a new generation of players emerging after making their name at Taranto. In that changing environment, the national team’s staff are expected to keep watch over players who could add something different to the squad.

Massolin, who was born in Moulins, is one such player. He joined Inter this summer after an impressive campaign with Modena in Serie B, but his prospects of regular first-team football in Milan were limited by the club’s competition for places and high ambitions.

The move to Cagliari should provide a more suitable setting for him to play consistently. The 1.97m left-footer is regarded as a midfielder capable of operating as a box-to-box player or in a more advanced position. Cagliari are expected to make use of his physical strength, ability to carry the ball and willingness to drive forward.

Those qualities are of particular interest to Algeria. The Algerian Football Federation has already made contact with Massolin and has followed his progress since his time in Belgium and later at Modena. However, his administrative situation is understood to have slowed the process.

Massolin still has to complete the necessary formalities before he can potentially represent the Fennecs. His Algerian heritage means he is eligible to pursue that objective, although a first international call-up remains dependent on several further developments.

The midfielder’s profile could offer Algeria an unusual combination of attributes. The national team have a number of technically gifted midfielders, but fewer players with Massolin’s size, mobility and comfort in possession.

His height does not make him merely an aerial or physical presence. Massolin is prepared to carry the ball into advanced areas, break defensive lines and support attacks. A full season in Serie A would give the Verts’ coaching staff the chance to judge whether he can produce those qualities consistently against Italy’s strongest sides.

Before he can enter the national-team picture, Massolin must first secure a regular place in the Cagliari team, perform against the leading clubs in Italy and complete his administrative file. The loan nevertheless gives him the platform and visibility he previously lacked at Inter.

For Algeria, his progress will be worth monitoring as the squad moves into a period of renewal. For Massolin, the immediate priority is to turn his move to Cagliari into a sustained run of first-team football and demonstrate that he can operate at the highest level.

Naim Beneddra has followed football since childhood and has worked as a football writer for more than 20 years. He writes and analyses the game, while retaining a particular interest in Algeria and the Fennecs.