Former AC Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi heaps praise on Inter Milan star Hakan Calhanoglu, considering him among the best players in his role.

The 29-year-old established himself as a pillar and a fan favorite for the Nerazzurri since making the crosstown switch in 2021.

The Turkiye international started his career as an attacking midfielder but gradually transformed into a deep-lying playmaker.

Sacchi admits that allowing Calhanoglu to leave may have been a mistake on Milan’s part. Therefore, he compares the Turk’s career trajectory to Andrea Pirlo’s, a player whom he once rejected.

“Hakan is doing very well and, above all, he’s doing many things. You see him all over the pitch. He works hard and makes his teammates run,” said the 77-year-old as published by La Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews.

“Did Milan commit a mistake by letting him leave? In hindsight, one would say yes. But these are incidents that often occur in football.

“I, for example, passed the opportunity to sign Andrea Pirlo. And then he became a great player.

“At Milan, Calhanoglu had already demonstrated that he was good. However, he was an attacking midfielder. Now he’s pulling the strings in the middle of the park.”

Arrigo Sacchi Belives Inter Milan Star Hakan Calhanoglu Has Become A Complete Player

The former Milan and Italy coach also describes the Nerazzurri midfielder as a complete player. But he recognizes the quality of those who play alongside him and help him become a better playmaker.

“Calhanoglu is a complete player. He can cover all midfield roles. He moves with great intelligence and makes his teammates move by dictating the timing of almost all actions.

“He knows when to play short passes and when to throw long balls. By changing functions, he proves his intellectual capacity.

“He understood his qualities as well as the abilities of his teammates. He made himself available and a new Calhanoglu was born.

“We must admit that Barella and Mkhitaryan provide Hakan with great support. The wingbacks also play an important role, especially Dimarco on the left.

“But just like Pirlo, Calhanoglu is showing a remarkable personality. He is the fulcrum of this Inter team, the one which everything revolves around.”

Finally, Sacchi insists that Calhanoglu is one of the best three players in his position across Europe.

“Hakan is among the top three players in Europe in his role. He has made incredible improvements.

“He knows how to create the play and how to defend. But above all, he has the character to lead the team”.