The words of Hakan Çalhanoğlu to La Gazzetta dello Sport open a window on his future. The Inter midfielder spoke at length about his current situation, the season that has just ended, and above all about the contract renewal that has not yet arrived.

“I am happy to be here. In Milan, where my wife and I have integrated very well, and at Inter. We have many friends, the kids go to school. The future, however, does not depend on me, but on the club,” declared the Nerazzurri playmaker. When asked if he is waiting for a call for the extension, his answer was direct: “No, because there has been no contact for the renewal. I am a footballer and I focus on playing. But in five years I think we have done many good things: 8 trophies, 2 Champions League finals. The fans love me and I love them. We’ll see what happens.”

Regarding his current form, the Turk thanked Chivu for giving him a few extra days of rest after the World Cup: “I was a bit mentally drained, I was able to recover. Now the work is tough, we are running a lot, but I am improving.” The season ended with the Scudetto and his goal against Roma, a sudden shot at the end of the first half, was indicated by many as the turning point goal.

“It was a delicate moment for us. But I don’t know if it really was the decisive goal. Anyway, it’s nothing new for me to try to shoot when I see space: I don’t stand there thinking, I go for it. That’s my way. In the past, back at Hamburg, I even scored from 40 meters, but from a free kick,” he recounted.

On his journey from attacking midfielder to playmaker, he explained: “I started with Giampaolo at Milan, for a couple of matches. But mentally I wasn’t ready, I felt like an attacking midfielder. Then at Inter, when Brozovic left, Inzaghi told me he saw me as a playmaker. We tried it during the summer, it worked and here I am.”

On the transfer rumors that link him every year to Turkish clubs, he was brief: “Honestly, I don’t understand why my name comes up. I am the national team captain, it can happen that I talk to club presidents who ask me for news or advice about other players. But my manager takes care of the transfer market: if you have any doubts you can ask him.” Finally, on the return of Stankovic: “I’m happy that he’s more mature, he understands football better. I think he can still learn from all of us.”