New Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has given his thoughts about his decision to join the Nerazzurri, and his expectations for the upcoming season.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster DAZN, as reported by FCInterNews, the 27-year-old opens up about the emotions around becoming an Inter player, and the rationale for the move.
Calhanoglu joined the Nerazzurri last month from city rivals AC Milan, with the Turkish midfielder’s contract with the Rossoneri having expired.
It is thought that the primary reason for the signing of the midfielder was the likelihood that Nerazzurri midfielder Christian Eriksen would miss all or most of next season as he recovers from his health issues.
Calhanoglu talks about how he hopes to integrate into the team, with the tactical vision of manager Simone Inzaghi and his burgeoning relationship with other members of the squad coming up as topics of discussion.
Calhanoglu talked about the circumstances of his move:
“We want to repeat this Scudetto, I hope with me too. I want to help my teammates. It went very fast, thanks to Piero [Ausilio, Inter Sporting Director], he called me many times with my agent. Mr. Inzaghi has also called me many times.”
“I have already felt very good, with getting a lot of attention, what every player wants. If they call you and want you in a team that is already strong, then that is something great, and I want to go there. It all went very fast. First my agent called me, he told me that Piero wanted to talk to me and I said, ‘Okay’. And it went quickly.”
He continued, about fan reaction:
“The noise is made by the fans, it is normal, for a player like this it is normal. I am neither the first nor the last. Many players have passed from Milan to Inter and vice versa, which is why I am neither the first nor the last. I just wanted to look forward to my future, with great respect for Milan. I have done many things for Milan. For four years I have treated everyone who knows me with respect, they knew everything, but I have a new adventure ahead of Inter and I have to look forward.”
He was asked about Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, also formerly a Nerazzurri player, and responded as follows:
“I was at the Europeans and he was on vacation, he had his knee problem and he was thinking about that. He was focused on his body, and I was on the Europeans. We have not talked about this transfer for now, but some day we will surely talk about it. For now nothing.”
When asked about whether Rossoneri manager Stefano Pioli attempted to keep him at the club, he answered affirmatively:
“He was the one who wanted me so much at Milan. But he had respect for what I decided.”
Next the midfielder was asked about the 3-5-2 tactical system preferred by Inter manager Simone Inzaghi:
“I like that tactical system. In this role under Inzaghi, I know that Luis Alberto played, we are similar in some ways. I like the attention of the coach and how he talks to me. I hope that during this season I will have fun with my teammates. The position? Without sacrifice they won’t give you the shirt. I have to listen to what the coach wants, there’s time and then we’ll see.”
About his record of creating the most chances and assists in Serie A last season, he had the following to say:
“I have to thank Pioli because he did a great job with me. He let me play in my preferred role, for that reason I made many chances and assists. It is really thanks to him, and then of course, I have this talent, but without work these things don’t come.”
He was asked about his prospective relationship with Inter strikers Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, stating this:
“I’m waiting for them to come back, I can’t wait to play with them to make assists and opportunities. We want to have fun, but first we have to understand the game, and they have to know my movements and I theirs. But we hope we will have fun.”
About stricken Inter midfielder Christian Eriksen he said the following:
“I have great respect for Eriksen, he is a player I like very much, we have the same role. We are all waiting for him with a big hug, he deserved so much. He is an inspiration, and a very nice guy. I know him through [AC Milan and Denmark defender Simon] Kjaer, with whom I talked a lot about him and whom I immediately asked about him. We hope to see him back here soon.”
He said of his new shirt number twenty, “”I chose 20 because 10 + 10 is 20″.”
When reminded that his shirt number is the same as that of Nerazzurri legend Alvaro Recoba, this was his response:
“”I saw today in the papers, but I didn’t choose because of that. I’ve always had 10, but Lautaro Martinez has it here, so I did 10 + 10, so 20″.”
Next Calhanoglu was asked about the Italian national team:
“I have already told my teammates in Turkey that they are very strong, they have created a strong system with Mancini. They were my favourites for the tournament, and again congratulations to them for the victory because they deserved it.”
Asked whether he has spoken to any of the members of the Azzurri squad to congratulate them yet, this was his response:
“I spoke to Donnarumma, after arriving at Inter Bastoni immediately came to tell me ‘welcome to our family’. But after the match I only spoke with Bonucci, Chiellini and Gigio [Donnarumma].”
Asked about whether he is already in Inter’s team chat he stated, “Yes, I’m, already in it,” and he clarified that “The team made the group, they welcomed me and I immediately thanked them.”