Hakan Calhanoglu has opened up about the reasons why he chose to move to Inter in the summer.
Speaking to US news outlet CBS News, the Turkish midfielder explained why he decided upon the Nerazzurri as his club for next season after his contract with city rivals AC Milan ran out, and gave his impressions of the process of joining Inter.
The 27-year-old was seen as a major arrival at the Giuseppe Meazza, and the circumstances of his move caused some stir given that he joins from a major league and city rival.
However, in the midfielder’s words, the move is one which he is very happy about, and which he feels a positive development in his career.
Calhanoglu joins after spending four seasons with Milan, whom he joined in the summer of 2017 from Bayer Leverkusen.
“The big difference with Inter was the attention of Piero [Ausilio, Sporting Director of Inter] and of the coach [Simone Inzaghi],” said the midfielder of his reasons for choosing to join the Nerazzuri,
“They called me a few times, I was feeling really important and that’s why I decided so fast to come here to Inter.
“The first call from Inzaghi was very important for me to come here. His attention to me was very important, I feel important as well.
“I believe in him, what he did in the last years for Lazio and I believe in what he will give for us at Inter this year to help the team grow more and more.”
“Piero called me a lot of times as well. He was really saying important things to me to convince me. I said ,’Yeah, with these objectives that they have I have to.'”
“For me personally, the most important thing was the attention they gave me. I want to stay in Italy. I know the language.
“Inter has big objectives. They have a good team with quality. They play for something. That’s why I decided so fast.”
The 27-year-old continues by talking about his ambitions for his career with the Nerazzurri:
“In a few years’ time I’ll be telling them about Inter and I think how exciting it was to be providing assists for Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.”
“It will be nice. I can’t wait to play with Romelu and Lautaro, they’re very strong players in front. We need time to know each other, they know each other, but with me, they have to learn my movements.
“With me, I have to know their movements but I can’t wait to play with them and give them assists.”
Calhanoglu continues by talking about stricken Nerazzurri midfielder Christian Eriksen, thought to be the player he is brought in to replace:
“We are waiting for him here in Inter with a big hug. He’s a very big player with very big qualities. I respect him a lot and I cannot wait to see him here.”
“I hope we can repeat again the championship that we won,” the midfielder closes. “The other thing I want is to do some big things in the Champions League.
“I believe in our team, we have very great players with great qualities and I hope with the new coach we do something great.”