John Stones observes Inter vs Monza at Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza on Aug 22, 2026. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Bergomi says Stones hasn’t bolstered the defense now that Inter lack true man‑markers after de Vrij and Acerbi’s exits.
Inter have collected 13 points from five league games but have already conceded eight goals in Serie A and ten overall.
They lost 2‑0 to Roma twice, yet rescued a draw thanks to Lautaro Martínez’s second‑half brace.
Earlier they turned the tables with wins over Napoli and Udinese before falling 2‑1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
“You say Inter added players, but you actually weakened the centre‑back department,” Bergomi said. For my money, the Stones signing was a misstep.
“Stones comes from a side that dominates possession and defends as a unit. Here Inter press high, forcing one‑on‑one duels he isn’t accustomed to,” the former star explained.
Veterans de Vrij and Acerbi departed in June; they were replaced by Stones on a free and the return of Benjamin Pavard from his Marseille loan.
Bergomi insists Inter still lack a proper centre‑back for their three‑man line.
“I never argued de Vrij and Acerbi shouldn’t have left. I’m saying they haven’t been replaced,” he concluded.
“Man‑marking centre‑backs are gone. You can cope with Akanji or Bisseck, but true markers are missing,” he added.