Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu believes that he is the best regista in the world, while he has reflected honestly on the time he spent at AC Milan.
Calhanoglu joined Milan in the summer of 2017 from Bayer Leverkusen and was mostly used either as an attacking midfielder or as a winger under the various coaches he had, though sometimes he was more of a box to box player.
In 2021 he made the decision to leave the Rossoneri on a free transfer and join their city rivals Inter, and since the move the 30-year-old has gradually moved back into a deep-lying playmaker role under head coach Simone Inzaghi.
It certainly seems to have worked wonders for him as Inter are heading for the league title and he has become a big part of Inzaghi’s approach tactically, and he spoke to DAZN (via FCInterNews) about his progression.
“Months ago, I said I was among the best Registas but no one believed in me. However, I always believed in myself. I know my qualities and I’m not afraid of anyone,” he said.
The interviewer then asked Calhanoglu to rank himself, Manchester City’s Rodri and Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, and he put himself top.
“The others don’t do what I’m currently producing on the pitch. For instance, I never score from close range, but from 25-30 meters or through a free-kick. These are difficult things to pull off.
“They are good at managing the play, but I don’t like making five-meters passes. I always look for the killer pass which increases the possibility of scoring. Horizontal passing doesn’t help.”
Towards the end of his time at Milan when the team were in an injury crisis, Calhanoglu was used ina. deeper role as part of a midfield three and he has admitted he wasn’t ready for it.
“At Milan, I wasn’t ready. But at Inter, it was a different story. I immediately said yes, because I wanted to test myself. When you’re at the right age it weighs on you less. The recent months have been very important for my journey.
“Pirlo is my idol. I like how he played, especially his serenity. He didn’t feel the stress. He was the number one. My agent likened me to Pirlo but I didn’t believe him at first. I said I felt more like a number ten. But time proved he was right.
Calhanoglu went on to confirm that he turned down offers from the Saudi Pro League to remain at Inter.
“Yes, it’s true. I love Inter. When I arrived here, Ausilio, the coach and my teammates gave me a big hand. This is a huge family.
“I have already told the club that the decision is theirs but I want to stay here. At Inter, I felt reborn. I had a difficult period, but they lifted me up. I matured as a man. I am an emotional person, I was living in a difficult situation but everyone here helped me.
“Then the song that the fans dedicated to me gave me even more energy. This is why I say that for me Inter is different. I just can’t explain it.”
He thinks he’s him😭
Dudes not even top 5 in that position 😂always such an air headed fool who never found consistency
Kevin DeBruyne would like a word
What’s the point of this article ? Dude is gone and won’t be coming back. What’s the point of these articles where he praises Inter and tries to diss AC Milan ?
You know what it’s about 😁…traffic
Yes he is, deal with it.
it was Z & Kessie save his a5s many time, now is Barela & Lautaro, without them Hakan just another Nuri Sahin
this timid fool holds a high opinion of himself…what a joke
He shouldn’t declare it himself, let other people do that for you. People were already talking anyways. And yes this year across Europe, his numbers don’t lie.
We missed his abilities in the middle
He is great that’s true, but I won’t rate him (or anyone for that matter) over Kevin De Bruyne.
While he’s among the best in his position this season, he’s not even close to KDB, Kimmich, Kroos or Rodri.