Simone Inzaghi reveals he asked Beppe Marotta to sign Hakan Calhanoglu to replace Christian Eriksen in 2021 and the Nerazzurri director replied that he had already contacted the Turkish midfielder.
Calhanoglu joined Inter as a free agent from Milan in the summer of 2021 after refusing to sign a new deal with the Rossoneri. He was drafted in to replace Eriksen, who had suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during Denmark-Finland at UEFA Euro 2020.
Inter had appointed Inzaghi only a few days earlier to replace Serie A title-winning coach Antonio Conte.
“On the day of Eriksen’s problem, I called Marotta and Piero Ausilio because there were reports Calhanoglu would not remain at Milan,” Inzaghi said at a press conference on Monday, as quoted by FcInter1098.
“They told me they had already contacted him, so [his signing] was a common idea for everyone. We signed him to play as a box-to-box midfielder, but I tried him [as a playmaker] in some training sessions after Marcelo Brozovic’s injury. He confirmed he could play there after just a few games. He is an important player with the qualities of a playmaker.”
Calhanoglu, 29, has scored eight goals and delivered two assists in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.
Overall, he has netted 20 times in 113 appearances with the Serie A giants.
This past July, he signed a contract extension with Inter until June 2027. Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella has recently praised the Nerazzurri star, saying he is the best midfielder in Serie A and ‘perhaps in the world.’