Former Inter Milan and Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero feels that at his best, Marcelo Brozovic was a better midfielder than Hakan Calhanoglu currently is.
The Spaniard gave his verdict regarding the former and current Nerazzurri midfielders to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews.
Holding midfield has certainly been a position of strength for Inter over the past couple years.
First, in 2017, Luciano Spalletti tried using Croatian international Brozovic in the role.
It was a position that Brozovic took to very naturally. Playing under the current Italy coach, the Croat thrived, using his technical ability and passing range to control matches in possession.
Then the former Dinamo Zagreb and current Al-Nassr midfielder became a vital player under Antonio Conte.
Brozovic helped Inter win the Serie A title under the former Chelsea and Juventus coach.
The 31-year-old continued to play an important role under Simone Inzaghi at Inter. He had an outstanding individual season in the 2021-22 campaign.
But last time around, injuries meant that Brozovic was absent for several months in total.
So Inzaghi found another solution.
Valero: Prime Marcelo Brozovic Still Better Than Hakan Calhanoglu
Like Brozovic, Calhanoglu was a player who made the move to a deeper role on the pitch from attacking midfield.
Inter coach Inzaghi tested out the Turkish international in the regista role as an emergency, temporary option whilst Brozovic was absent.
But Calhanoglu proved to be far more than that.
The ex-AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has since established himself as a starting-quality player in the role.
Calhanoglu has been one of the key players behind Inter’s excellent start to the current season.
Inter sold Brozovic during the summer considering how confident they were in Calhanoglu.
But in the view of Valero, “Between Brozovic in his prime, and Calhanoglu, there’s still no contest.”
“Nevertheless, I would never have expected Calhanoglu to play at this level,” the Spaniard continued.
“He arrived as a trequartista. But he’s been doing incredibly well in this new role.”
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