Legendary former Inter defender Beppe Bergomi believes that Hakan Calhanoglu has a significant role to play and that Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi should work to get the best out of him.
Speaking to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, the former defender outlined why he feels the Turkish midfielder can still become a significant part of the plans at Inter if the coach gets the best out of him.
Calhanoglu came with high expectations when he arrived on a free transfer from city rivals AC Milan in the summer, and his promise initially looked to have been fulfilled after an excellent debut performance against Genoa in which he scored and assisted a goal.
However, in the games he has featured in since, the 27-year-old has not always shown the best of himself, frequently having to be substituted as the coach has looked to change the game, and this has led to criticism of his performances.
“He had started very well with Genoa, in other matches he has shone less but can still be decisive on set pieces, having great deliveries,” Bergomi reflected. “Then, however, there are other situations in which he struggles more.”
He went on, “Covering 70-80 meters, for Barella and Brozovic it is not a problem but then after each run he has to catch his breath. I would remain optimistic, even if his latest performances have not been convincing.”
“I do not discuss his technical qualities, I consider him excellent and also with a discreet dynamism. But the pitch can become to big for him,” Bergomi explained.
“If I were Inzaghi, I would persist with Calhanoglu,” he stated. “Also because the five substitutions are transforming football more than we think. Before, you didn’t make the first change before the 65th-75th minute and you kept the third as an emergency. Now already at minute fifty you can schedule a relay of changes.”
“Whether you give everything for an abundant amount of time or you break the game with your running,” Bergomi explained, “the Turk remains important. It will be up to Inzaghi to strike the right chords with Hakan, whom I don’t know personally.”
He concluded, “And let’s not forget how at Lazio Simone was able to transform Luis Alberto. He and Calha are different, but it always takes some time.”
