Former AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini feels that Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu is on par with Man City midfielder Rodri.
Ambrosini spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in yesterday’s print edition, via FCInterNews.
This season, Inter regista Calhanoglu has been earning significant plaudits for his performances.
The 29-year-old had already shown the quality that he can provide in the holding midfield position last season.
But this season, the standard has raised even more so.
This was certainly on show in Calhanogu’s performance against Juventus in the Derby d’Italia over the weekend. The Turk was, if not the outstanding player on the pitch, very close to it.
And displays like this are earning Calhanoglu shouts in the conversation of the best holding midfielder in European football.
There is, of course, always going to be a lot of competition in that respect.
And perhaps no one is more formidable in that respect than Manchester City’s Rodri at the moment.
The Spanish international has been the player right at the heart of an all-conquering City side in the past few seasons.
Inter found out how decisive Rodri can be the hard way in June. It was the Spaniard who scored the only City goal in a 1-0 win in the Champions League final.
Amborisini: Calhanoglu On Par With Man City Star Rodri
In the view of former Milan midfielder Ambrosini, however, there is little in the way of difference in quality between Calhanoglu and Rodri.
As far as what he admires about Calhanoglu, Ambrosini named “Above all, I’d maybe say his combination of technical and defensive quality.”
“The way that he’s always ready to throw himself into a tackle with venom.”
“He’s a different kind of defensive midfielder from a lot of others. The entire Inter midfield is very dynamic.”
And as far as how Calhanoglu ranks in his position in Europe, Ambrosini said that “He’s among the very top players in the world.”
“Between him and Rice, I’d take him. Between him and Tchouameni, who’s still somewhat immature, I’d take him.”
“I wouldn’t even know who to choose between him and Rodri…” Ambrosini added.