Pioli was the only one who wanted me at Milan - Calhanoglu

Hakan Calhanoglu

made a move to

in 2017 on a €23m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen and while he seemed to be close to penning an extension, he joined Inter as a free agent.

“

It’s normal the fans are upset, but I am not the first to do this and I won’t be the last, as many players have gone from Milan to Inter, or vice-versa,”

Calhanoglu told

DAZN

.

“I just wanted to look to my future, with all due respect to Milan. I did a lot for Milan over four years, I respected everyone, but I have a new chapter at Inter and have to look forward now.”

The Rossoneri fans did not favor the Turkish midfielder and given the negative atmosphere he was experiencing, he decided to leave.

“Pioli was the only one who really wanted me at Milan. I spoke to him many times, but he respected my decision and wished me all the best.”

The plan to join Inter was made very quickly and it was completed within a few days.

“It did happen very quickly, I received a lot of calls from director Piero Ausilio and coach Simone Inzaghi. If people show they want you in their team, that makes you want to go there.”

It will be a different experience for Calhanoglu at San Siro as Simone Inzaghi’s tactical approach is different, with a 3-5-2 formation.

“I like this system, as Luis Alberto took this role for Inzaghi at Lazio and we are quite similar. Pioli worked really well with me, he let me play in the role that I like, which is why I provided so many assists.

<em>

Now I can’t wait to create chances for Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.”

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