Turkey Coach Hails ‘Mature & Modern’ Inter Milan Star: ‘He’s Now The Best Midfielder In The World’ | OneFootball

Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella feels that Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu has become the best midfielder in the world.

Speaking to the official YouTube channel of Serie A, the coach gave glowing praise to the 30-year-old over his growth and importance for both club and country.

This season, Calhanoglu has become an absolutely vital player for Inter.

Playing at the base of the Nerazzurri’s midfield, it has been the former AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen man who has really given the team it’s engine both in and out of possession.

Calhanoglu did not always have the playing style he does now.

The Turk had been more of an attacking midfielder or winger while playing in the Bundesliga.

In that role, Calhanoglu’s quality was undeniable. However, there were questions of his consistency as he would drift in and out of matches.

That continued to be the case at times during Calhanoglu’s four seasons at Milan.

But gradually, Calhanoglu dropped deeper and deeper on the pitch. When the Turkish international joined Inter, he was signed to play as a box-to-box midfielder.

Then, last season, Calhanoglu transitioned to a holding midfield role. It is there that his best qualities have really come to the fore.

Montella: “Hakan Calhanoglu Now The Best Midfielder In The World”

Turkey coach Montella is actually working with Calhanoglu for the second time.

The former Fiorentina and Sampdoria coach had been Milan coach at the time that the Turk arrived in the summer of 2017.

Montella noted that “He arrived at the Rossoneri with very big expectations.”

The coach called Calhanoglu “A great talent with excellent technique.”

“Then in recent years, he’s become the best midfielder in the world – or at least one of the very best.”

Explaining Calhanoglu’s best qualities, Montella observed that “He is able to dictate the tempo of the team.”

“He understands the moments in a match,” the Turkey coach went on.

“He’s now become a mature, modern footballer, because he is very happy to participate in both phases of play, and also interprets that game very well.”

“Then, his technique has remained unchanged,” Montella added.