Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella believes that Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu is one of the best holding midfielders in world football.
The former AC Milan and Fiorentina coach spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews. He also noted that Calhanoglu will still have to play in a more attacking role for his national side.
Through his career, Calhanoglu has transitioned in positions, virtually moving deeper and deeper on the pitch.
When the former Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg man arrived at Milan in the summer of 2017, he was mainly an attacking player. Calhanoglu played effectively as an attacking midfielder or on the wing in the Bundesliga.
Then over the course of four seasons at the Rossoneri, the Turk started to play as more of a central midfielder.
That was Calhanoglu’s role when Inter signed him from on a free transfer their city rivals in 2021.
He tended to play on the left of a midfield trio.
But then last season, Calhanoglu was deployed in the deepest position of the midfield three.
This was initially more of an emergency solution, with Marcelo Brozovic out injured. However, the Turkish international thrived in the role.
So much so that he virtually become first-choice ahead of Brozovic.
Inter sold the Croat during the summer transfer window. And that has more or less confirmed that Calhanoglu is their main man in the regista position.
Montella Praises Inter Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu
Turkey coach Montella gave his thoughts on Calhanoglu. “He’s grown a lot,” the coach said.
“He’s found a new position on the pitch at Inter in front of a back three. Maybe, he’s among the best players in the world in that position now,” Montella continued.
“In the national team we play with a back four,” he then noted.
“His position is different and he’ll have to get used to his old role again.”
“He remains a player who has tactical intelligence, and a great vision for the game,” he said of Calhanoglu.
