After failing to reach the playoffs, Inter Miami has shifted its focus to 2024.
Many have speculated that the Herons could go after another star player to bolster the roster. After signing Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba in the summer, it’s evident that Inter Miami will want to add to that list by obtaining another world-class player.
According to Miami manager Tata Martino, the club may already have one in its sights.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Martino alluded that the team could potentially look to bring Luis Suarez in during the winter window: “Within our analysis of the upcoming season, and the needs we may have, we have an analysis with Luis and an analysis without Luis. So when the moment arrives to make Suarez’s situation with respect to Inter Miami official, we’ll be prepared to go in the corresponding direction.”
Suarez has been linked with a potential transfer to Major League Soccer in the past. Fellow Uruguayan and current Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro has tried to recruit Suarez to the league for years.
But if Miami’s off-season goes to plan, it appears that the Herons will be the team to acquire his services.
El Pistolero to reunite with Messi at Inter Miami?
This year, Martino lined up Miami in various formations.
The 4-3-3 was the standard lineup for the Herons as they fought their way to the Leagues Cup title in August.
Eventually, Martino would switch between a 4-2-3-1, a 3-5-2, and even a 4-4-2. However, during Miami’s 2-2 draw against Charlotte FC on Wednesday, the Argentine manager would experiment with a 4-3-1-2.
This is significant because this formation fits the personnel Miami has on its roster.
With Suarez potentially coming into the fold next year, playing two forwards up top could be Martino’s go-to tactical approach.
Should he stay at the club, Ecuadorian youngster Leonardo Campana could make for an ideal strike partner alongside Suarez. He’s physical, adept at playing with his back to goal, and has the legs to press for the aging Uruguayan.
Additionally, the formation would give Messi the freedom to play as a true attacking midfielder, with three central players behind him for defensive support.
Miami is a team that lacks explosive wingers and has a surplus of central midfielders. The 4-3-1-2 formation could solve that issue by playing through the middle and relying on the overlapping runs of Jordi Alba and DeAndre Yedlin at full-back to provide the width.
In the end, whether Suarez joins the team or not, Miami will want to revamp its roster. The 36-year-old has told the media in the past that he and Messi dreamed of retiring together.
As 2024 inches closer, expect the rumors to grow even warmer.