Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu feels that he’s making defensive improvements, and isn’t commenting on Romelu Lukaku.

The Turkish international spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN after the Nerazzurri’s 1-0 Serie A win over Roma, via FCInterNews.

Calhanoglu is a player who’s undergone a major positional change over the past couple of seasons.

When the former AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder arrived at Inter, he was already starting to make the transition from an attacking player to more of a central midfielder.

And last season, Calhanoglu started playing at the base of Inter’s midfield trio.

That has become the 29-year-old’s main position.

There is no doubt that Calhanoglu is the Nerazzurri’s first-choice starter in the holding midfield role.

And that has required more than just passing and technical ability from the Turk. There has never been any doubts about his quality in those respects.

Rather, Calhanoglu has had to really refine the defensive side of his game.

But that hasn’t been a problem for him.

Inter Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu On Defensive Improvements, Romelu Lukaku

Calhanoglu noted that “I’ve played in many roles.”

“It depends on the system we play with,” he continued.

“If we had played with four at the back, it would have been different.”

“With the 3-5-2, I feel very comfortable playing at regista,” Calhanoglu explained.

“I’ve grown defensively,” he, went on

“I didn’t have those characteristics before. I’m also trying to be more aggressive in duels in front of the defense.”

“I’m a little further from goal,” Calhanoglu observed.

“I miss being further forward where I can shoot and score goals,” he admitted.

As for his former teammate Marcelo Brozovic, Calhanoglu said that “I had a good relationship with him. But now we’re just focused on the present and achieving our goals together.”

Of young midfielder Kristjan Asllani, Calhanoglu said that “He’s a good player, he has quality. He’s growing.”

As for former Nerazzurri and current Roma striker Romelu L:ukaku, Calhanoglu answered simply. “I don’t want to comment.”