Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Di Canio praised the reasoning behind Inter's growing contingent of English signings, framing the moves as calculated opportunism rather than star-chasing.
"Intelligent operations, as always, from Inter β genuine opportunities. They've been studying this for years and they're smart," he said.
"Chivu finished last year's Arsenal tie and came out saying, 'That's a different pace.' So they go and get Stones, who's often injured and out of Guardiola's plans β but that doesn't matter to them. He comes here, he's an opportunity, he has physicality."
Di Canio elaborated on what makes John Stones, formerly of Manchester City, well suited to Cristian Chivu's system.
"He wants to play in the opposition's half β Akanji does it, Stones does it even more. Sometimes he switches off, but over the course of a full season you've got real pedigree there."
Turning to Curtis Jones, the former Liverpool midfielder who completed his move earlier this month, Di Canio was similarly complimentary about the profile he brings.
"Jones is one of those players they were missing β he doesn't excel at any one thing, but he can do everything at a 6.5 level. He doesn't play as a five or as a nine, he plays as a 6.5. He doesn't score as many goals as McTominay didn't either, but he could add a few more β he's fresh and he's come for a project."
He was equally direct in his assessment of Djed Spence, the right-back signed from Tottenham Hotspur.
"Spence is another one they'll need to educate. In his own box he feels strong, he takes players on, he does the heel-to-toe stuff β that's what they'll need to sharpen up. If they tell him to make those runs from the final third, he becomes lethal on the right."
Inter Milan have made English imports a clear priority this summer, with Jones joining Stones and Spence as the third player to arrive from the Premier League in the space of a few months.
All three now form part of Cristian Chivu's squad as the Nerazzurri look to build on last season's campaign, with Di Canio's assessment reflecting a broader sense in Italian football that Inter have identified specific value in players whose stock had dipped in England but who retain clear top-level qualities.