AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic feels that Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has had some good fortune when the Nerazzurri signed him to replace Christian Eriksen in the summer.
Speaking while promoting his new book “Adrenalina,” as reported by FCInterNews, the Swede gave the view that Calhanoglu was only signed by the Nerazzurri because they needed to replace Eriksen following the Dane’s health emergency at the Euros.
Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during the Danish national team’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland, and has not been able to return to the pitch since.
The Nerazzurri quickly understood that they would have the replace the 29-year-old’s contribution in the creative midfield role, and Calhanoglu was quickly identified as a target.
The Turk was out of contract with the Rossoneri in the summer and so the Nerazzurri were able to snap him up on a free transfer, and in the view of Ibrahimovic he had good fortune that circumstances lined up in this way for him.
“We have to thank him for what he has given to the team and wish him the best for the future,” the striker said.
“It sounds bad to say, but Calha benefited from a tragic situation,” he went on. “Eriksen had a cardiac arrest, so Inter needed to a player in that role and the door opened for Hakan.”
“Before that episode there were no offers for him from Inter or any other club,” he stated.
“He is a good boy, he has grown so much thanks to me,” Ibrahimovic said of the midfielder.
“He has gained courage and confidence.”