How Calhanoglu has become one of the best midfielders in the world at Inter under Inzaghi | OneFootball

Hakan Calhanoglu has become one of the best midfielders in the world under Simone Inzaghi at Inter, and Richard Hall analyses how Turkey international has developed at the Stadio Meazza since joining the Nerazzurri from city rivals Milan in 2021.

‘Still us’ was the Inter tagline after they retained the Supercoppa Italiana for the third time in a row in January. The celebrations in Riyadh reflected the delight of the players as they secured their first trophy of the season. Exiting the Coppa Italia to Bologna was a blow; however, victory in this Final gave them a much-needed boost in the hunt for the Scudetto and proved they could go deep into the Champions League, like last season.

Calhanoglu has undoubtedly had a key role at the Stadio Meazza this season, showing the best version of himself. His transition to Inter marked a significant chapter in his footballing journey, showcasing his adaptability and contributing substantially to the team’s success.

Renowned for his technical prowess and vision, Çalhanoglu’s playing style seamlessly aligned with Inter’s tactical approach under Simone Inzaghi. At the heart of Çalhanoglu’s impact is his distinctive playing style, characterised by his exceptional ball control, precise passing, and lethal left foot. His ability to orchestrate play from midfield positions or operate in advanced roles highlights his versatility. Hakan’s set-piece prowess adds an extra dimension to Inter’s attacking threat, making him a valuable asset during dead-ball situations. Tactically, Çalhanoglu’s integration into Inter’s system has been seamless. Just look at the game against Monza before the Supercoppa where Inter demolished the Brianzoli 5-1. He was everywhere in that game and looked unplayable.

The game against Juventus was probably his best performance at Inter. The Turkey international registered 94% passing accuracy and made headlines for a lovely cross-field pass that set up Federico Dimarco and Marcus Thuram for Inter’s opener that was only avoided by a perfectly-timed sliding clearance from Gleison Bremer. Inzaghi hailed Calha as one of the best Registas in the world and it’s hard to argue with the Nerazzurri tactician.

The Piacenza-born coach has had a vital role in Calhanoglu’s development. Inzaghi’s tactical philosophy revolves around fluid attacking movements and quick transitions and this was showcased against Juventus to perfection. Çalhanoğlu’s spatial awareness and intelligent positioning contributed to the team’s ability to break down the opposition defence, allowing him to seamlessly link up play between midfield and attack. One of the notable aspects of Çalhanoğlu’s development at Inter has been his enhanced defensive contributions. While primarily known for his attacking prowess, he has embraced defensive responsibilities within Inzaghi’s system. His work rate and ability to press opponents have added a valuable layer to Inter’s overall team dynamics, contributing to a more balanced and resilient unit. In 27 appearances this campaign, he has mustered 11 goals and three assists.

In the past, Çalhanoglu’s partnership with fellow midfielders and attackers has been crucial to Inter’s success. His understanding with key players, such as striker Romelu Lukaku and fellow midfielder Marcelo Brozović, has been pivotal in executing Inzaghi’s tactics effectively. The chemistry between Çalhanoglu and his teammates has translated into a potent attacking force that has troubled opposing defences in both domestic and European competitions. He now has the same link up with the present midfield, fullbacks and forwards and with Nicolo Barella, Inter’s midfield is one of the best in Europe.

Off the pitch, Çalhanoglu’s leadership qualities have come to the fore, further solidifying his importance within the team. His experience and composure bring stability to the squad, especially during crucial. It is no surprise that this link with Barella (as mentioned), Lautaro, Thuram and others like Davide Frattesi is equally as good, and this is telling, as it shows that he is adaptable with the men around him.

Calhanoglu has always had natural talent, but one must cast their mind back to when he joined from Milan, and there were some question marks at the time. It seems hard to believe as now he is the lynchpin in the midfield, and his patience, hard work, and adaptability have allowed him to be ‘Mr consistent’. As long as it is ‘Still Inter’, you can be assured that it will ‘Still be Hakan’ pulling the strings.