Ex-Italy international Fabio Cannavaro said former club Inter and AC Milan need time before they can challenge for Serie A honours.
Inter and Milan have taken a back seat to rivals Juventus, who are seeking a seventh successive Scudetto this term, but both clubs are hopeful of returning to the top of Italian football.
New Chinese owners have renewed faith among Inter and Milan supporters, with the former level on points alongside second-placed Juve, while the Rossoneri are seventh amid an underwhelming start to the season.
Cannavaro insisted patience is required as Inter and Milan bid to get back to the Serie A summit.
"They have financial resources and they will always be fighting for the biggest objectives," Tianjin Quanjian head coach Cannavaro told Premium Sport.
"But it will need time in order for them to organise themselves.
"Napoli, for example, have arrived at their level after 10-12 years."
Bitter city rivals Inter and Milan will lock horns at San Siro on October 15, following the international break.
Liverpool star speaks out after being spotted talking to PSG chiefs as contract runs down
'Talks went really, really well, and I thought at one stage I was going to go to Manchester United, and I even went house hunting around Manchester for a day': Alan Shearer reveals how close he came to signing for Alex Ferguson
