Legendary former Galatasaray and Turkey coach Fatih Terim considers Turkish international duo Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz a “source of pride.”
The 70-year-old spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in yesterday’s print edition, via FCInterNews, praising the Derby d’Italia duo.
In all likelihood, there will be plenty of Turkish representation on the pitch at the San Siro on Sunday.
Inter will host Juventus in a Serie A showdown that could be decisive for the title.
And both of the two teams will be relying on a Turkish international to potentially make the difference.
For Inter, midfielder Calhanoglu is virtually one of the first names on the teamsheet. The 29-year-old former AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen man is the beating heart of the Nerazzurri’s midfield.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old forward Kenan Yildiz has burst onto the scene in the Juventus first team this season.
Despite his young age, the Turkish international has proven that he can be a driving force for the Bianconeri’s attack.
With Arkadiusz Milik suspended and Federico Chiesa coming back from injury there is a good chance that Yildiz will start the Derby d’Italia.
And if the teenager does not start, there is at least a high probability that he will come off the bench at some stage.
Fatih Terim – Calhanoglu & Yildiz At Inter & Juventus A “Source Of Pride”
Asked if considers Calhanoglu to be the best midfielder in Serie A, Terim replied “I would say yes.”
“He’s the player who gets the team moving. He provides goals and also assists.”
“Hakan is one of the best deep-lying playmakers in all of Europe as well,” Terim added.
The coach said that “Calhanoglu also has another great quality, which is that he keeps improving every day.”
And of the emergence of Yildiz, Terim said that “More than surprised, I’m happy.”
“Everyone in Turkey is,” he went on.
“The future can be his,” Terim said of the young Juventus star.
The fact that Calhanoglu and Yildiz are facing off on Sunday “Can be a great thing for the national team, and a source of pride,” Terim said.