Whilst Inter are in impeccable form and are seemingly on course to seizing their 20th scudetto this season as they sit at the top of the Serie A league-standings with a single point above Juventus while possessing a game in-hand, central midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has been pivotal to the Nerazzurri’s incredible results thus far.
The Turkish international amassed nine goals and three assists in 21 games-played in the 2023/24 Serie A campaign, displaying his capability to provide Inter with stability and creativity in middle of the park through the use of his remarkable tactical awareness and his immaculate passing ability on a weekly basis.
Hakan strengthened his claim of being the best midfielder of the top-flight Italian league with a world-class performance in the Nerazzurri’s 1-0 victory over bitter rivals Juventus, where Calhanoglu attained 126 touches, a 94% pass accuracy, and nine completed long-balls under the lights of the San Siro against the Bianconeri as per Sofa Score.
Consequently, the Turkish international received a standing ovation from the Nerazzurri supporters for his outstanding display after the full-time whistle, with the entire stadium singing a specific chant that was exclusively made for the central midfielder, re-baptizing him as the “idolo nerroblu” after having made the switch from cross-city rivals Milan two seasons ago.
The 29-year-old holding midfielder arguably on the best run of form he has ever been throughout the entirety of his football career, Inter Xtra had journalist of Turkish news-outlet Fanatik Samet Cayir provide his insight on Calhanoglu’s impressive campaign under Simone Inzaghi at the helm of the club so far this season.
“Calhanoglu has reached the highest level of his career in Italy, Samet commenced”. “In 27 games he has contributed 14 goals and that’s no easy task. He is probably the most in-form player in Italy at the moment and is Inzaghi’s biggest key for the team to win the Scudetto again. “
“In Turkey, however, there has been different opinions for years. It is thought that Calhanoglu cannot bring his Inter game to the Turkish national team. More is expected from him for the Turkish National Team. His recent performances have raised expectations even more.”
“Ahead of EURO 2024, Calhanoglu’s performances are promising for the Turks. But on the other hand, Calhanoglu will be under even more pressure at the tournament in Germany.
Furthermore, Samet described the influence coach Simone Inzaghi had on Calhanoglu’s development after having deployed the Turkish international as a defensive midfielder to replace Marcelo Brozovic, who was held at bay due to injury for a lengthy period last season.
“I think it’s definitely an Inzaghi touch, Samet stated.” “It took Hakan many years to find the right position. Turkish fans even describe Calhanoglu as a ‘footballer without a position’, but the ‘regista’ position seems to be quite suitable for him. We in Turkey are eagerly waiting to see how Vincenzo Montella will use him at EURO 2024!”
