Mirabelli on Calhanoglu: «He is the most complete midfielder in Europe, Juve should sign him immediately»

The future of Calhanoglu is one of the most discussed topics at the moment. The Inter midfielder, whose contract is expiring, is being followed by Juventus, and Mirabelli addressed the subject in an interview with Tuttosport: “Absolutely yes, I am convinced of it. To my friend Carnevali — with him, Juve is in excellent hands — I would say to take him immediately, without thinking for a second. It would be a sensational deal for Juve as well as for Calhanoglu himself. The Bianconeri lack a player with his characteristics.”

Mirabelli, now at Padova, then described the Turk as “the most complete midfielder in Europe,” with “incredible, extraordinary qualities.” Even the age issue — Calhanoglu will turn 33 in January — is dismissed: “With the qualities he has, he can play and continue to make a difference until he’s 40. As the years go by, he becomes more and more aware.”

Mirabelli retraced the origin of that intuition, dating back to when he was working at Inter: “I started following him when I was working at Inter. We couldn’t get him from Leverkusen because of a case related to his double registration as a minor.” He then managed to bring him to Milan, at a time when the player had “fallen off the radar” after a year without playing: “I was heavily criticized. But I was convinced I had a boy with enormous potential on my hands.”

The debate about his role was long: “We spent hours with Montella and — later — with Gattuso to figure out in which area of the pitch he could express himself best. Initially, we played him on the left wing, with his inverted foot, to allow him to cut inside and shoot. But for me, it was clear that he had all the qualities to become a great playmaker. When I suggested it to those in charge, they called me crazy.”

On Milan’s decision to “give him away” to Inter on a free transfer, Mirabelli preferred not to dwell: “Don’t make me think about it… An unspeakable thing, unbelievable.” On the Juventus front, finally, he broadened the reasoning to the general situation of the Bianconeri squad: “This team lacks profiles worthy of Juve’s history. Calhanoglu would be a crucial addition. The first piece of the puzzle. But then, the others would have to be added.”