Calhanoglu Shines: Is He the Best Midfielder in the World at his position right now?
With another brilliant performance against Udinese, Hakan Calhanoglu continues to prove himself as the ‘General’ of Inter’s midfield, showcasing his skills in almost every game.
Known for his precision in playmaking, defensive versatility, and clinical penalty executions (bringing his Serie A goal tally to 7, just two shy of his best season at Milan), Calhanoglu’s magic also manifested in providing the assist for Federico Dimarco’s goal.
As Inter regains the top spot in the league, the question arises: is Calhanoglu the best midfielder in the world as his Turkish coach Vincezno Montella just recently said?
Data-Driven Brilliance: The Numbers Speak for themselves
Examining the statistics from SofaScore, Calhanoglu boasts the highest average rating in Serie A (7.69), surpassing even his captain, Lautaro Martinez. Offensive metrics showcase his prowess, leading in expected goals (xG) with 5.75, zero wasted opportunities, and the second-highest number of shots on target (30).
Beyond scoring, he excels in passing, with 901 completed passes (ranking 1st among midfielders and 2nd overall). His passing accuracy stands at an impressive 92.03%, with only a 7.97% error rate. Defensive contributions include 35 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 10 crucial clearances.
Evolution under Inzaghi’s Guidance
The data, therefore, align with the idea conceived by Simone Inzaghi, the architect of the technical/tactical evolution of Calhanoglu. From being an attacking midfielder/winger at Milan, he has become a charismatic leader on the field as a defensive midfielder and a crucial figure in the locker room for the vice-champions of Europe, thanks to the move of Brozovic to Saudi Arabian football.
The Vision of Becoming Among the Best
Now, the Turkish maestro orchestrates the game for his team, starting from the heart of the field. A midfielder/playmaker/all-rounder who sacrifices for his team and harbours the desire to continuously improve, aiming to achieve his goal: becoming one of the top 5 midfielders globally, a goal he expressed some time ago (‘Yes, I feel underrated. I’m not far from the names you mentioned.(Modric, De Bruyne): the way I’ve grown, I see myself among the top 5 in Europe in my position. I say it with humility and awareness,’ he told Gazzetta dello Sport).
These statements have aged like fine wine and found support from his current Turkish national team coach: “I think at this moment, Calha is surely the best midfielder in Italy, perhaps even in the world,” stated Montella.”
