Hakan Calhanoglu returns to Inter Milan amid exit rumors

Back from suspension, the Turkish midfielder prepares to lead Inter Milan again, but doubts about his long-term future remain

Hakan Calhanoglu is back after missing the Serie A opener against Torino due to suspension, but a possible farewell date is already looming.

“Calhanoglu, where were we?” On Sunday evening, against Udinese, the Turkish midfielder will once again wear the Inter Milan shirt in an official match. 

Apart from three of four pre-season friendlies, it has been three months since his last appearance, in the bitter Champions League final against PSG. 

In Munich, alongside his struggling teammates, the former AC Milan man also picked up yet another injury of the season. From that night began a turbulent and difficult summer.

From the mutual interest with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce to the fallout with Lautaro, passing through a Club World Cup watched from the sidelines and cut short by another muscle problem, Calhanoglu’s name dominated the headlines for weeks. Only at the end of July, when pre-season started, did things return to some sort of normality.

On one side, all talks of a return to Turkey collapsed as neither Galatasaray nor Fenerbahce were able to make a suitable offer to Inter Milan. On the other, peace with Lautaro was restored, even celebrated on social media.

Now it’s time to get serious again. Inter Milan showed their strength with a spectacular 5-0 win against Torino. 

Calhanoglu, suspended, watched from the stands. Against Udinese, however, he will be back available. And everything suggests he will reclaim his regista role, since coach Chivu never questioned his place. When exit rumors faded, he was happy to count on him once again.

Last Monday, Barella replaced him in midfield, interpreting the role with commitment and energy, but struggling early on before growing into the match. The Sardinian midfielder has played that role before, but it isn’t his most natural position. With Calhanoglu back, Inter Milan regains the man who has been the fulcrum of its game over the last three years.

Last season, however, his performances were below expectations. Too many injuries prevented him from ever reaching top form. 

With the title-winning version of Calhanoglu, perhaps the season could have ended differently. Now, it’s time to start over. His teammates already did so against Torino, showing they had reset and were hungry for revenge. Calhanoglu must now follow suit.

Between pitch and market, Calhanoglu’s future with Inter Milan is still uncertain

Given his qualities, and without a natural deputy since Asllani’s departure, he has everything to remain central to the squad. But the midfield rebuild has already started. And Luka Sucic could soon permanently take the stage. If so, someone will have to leave… These talks may be premature, but under Chivu the hierarchy Inzaghi had crystallized no longer exists.

At 31 years old, with a contract expiring in 2027, it cannot be ruled out that this will be his last season at Inter Milan. 

Next summer, a mutual separation might make sense. Doing so after lifting another trophy together would be the best possible farewell.

Source: Fcinter1908