Luis Henrique to Inter

Luis Henrique has become Serie A's first major incoming transfer of the window, joining new teammate Petar Sucic at Inter. While I lack sufficient data on Sucic (only ~250 Champions League minutes), Henrique's profile offers fascinating insights into Inter's evolving tactical approach and project.

At €25 million, the Brazilian arrives as Inter undergoes significant changes under new management. But what role is he expected to fill?

The Dumfries Comparison: Almost Identical Profiles

My positional clustering identifies Luis Henrique as a right wing-back for reasons. Though he's operated on both flanks throughout his career and season, and he started his career as an attacking winger, this season De Zerbi locked in in a right wingback position as the 5th player in the line. This allowed Marseille to use Henrique attacking talent while minimizing his defensive weakness thanks to the team very dominant style of play.

Inter likely envisioned him as Dumfries' direct replacement or competitor under Inzaghi – allowing Dumfries to potentially rest more, or change what they can do from that side of the pitch. Henrique is indeed a more skillful player on the ball than the Dutch, he’s also pacy and with ability to take on opponents and beat them to create opportunities. That’s not different from what Inter already did on the other side of the pitch by adding Zalewski – former attacking winger with some flair – as competition for Dimarco.

Statistical Breakdown

The radar comparison reveals remarkably similar players with subtle but crucial differences:

Luis Henrique's Profile:

• Attacking focus: Superior final third entries and carry value

• Creative emphasis: Higher assist value and ball progression

• Defensive approach: Fewer defensive actions but maintains high defensive value

• Discipline: Remarkably low foul count

• Weakness: Poor tackle success rate for the position

Dumfries' Profile:

• Defensive quantity: Slightly more defensive actions attempted

• Finishing mentality: Less progressive with the ball

• Physical approach: Higher tackle win rate

The Tactical Shift: Creator vs. Finisher

Dumfries: The Goal-Scoring Wing-Back

The most revealing differences emerge in their shot and assist maps, suggesting different tactical roles despite similar radars. Under Inzaghi, Dumfries operated almost like an additional attacker from the wing. His shot map shows exclusively shots inside the penalty area, converting around 6 xG into 9 goals.

The focus on operating as an actual winger is even more clear when we watch his key passes map.

Henrique: The Creative Catalyst

At Marseille, Henrique displayed a more creative profile. His shot map reveals less focus on finishing, with more varied shot locations given his flexibility on the pitch.

His assist map reinforces this creative emphasis – a player who looks to set up teammates rather than seeking personal glory –, and from the right wing we can see both passes from a winger position and from a little bit deeper.

Luis Henrique and Dumfries seems like players that can be exchanged without much fuss, but reports seem to suggest Inter is looking for another wingback, more focused on the right than on the left. This opens up a lot of scenarios, is Dumfries actually going to be there next season? What is Chivu trying to do or envisions for this team going forward given how little he coached at the highest level?

It’s difficult to know what will happen right now at Inter, but it’s sure that Henrique added something Inter lacked: a more attacking creative/dribbly winger. He’s 26th for attempted take-ons per 98 minutes between right wingbacks with at least 1000 minutes played last season in my dataset, and 56th for take-ons from a standstill. Dumfries attempts 2.8 take-ons per 98, the 69th value between the same parameters of right wingbacks, against the 3.6 produced by the Brazilian.

I think Henrique is a good pickup for Inter, 25 million euros for a player that could be good in the old system by providing challenge to Dumfries and play on both wings or adapt pretty well to being a midfield/attacking winger in a different type of set up. He’s also going to be 24 in December, entering peak age in one of the oldest team in Europe. I think he’s not going to be wasted money even though that amount is high for Serie A standard.