How Chelsea’s 3-4-3 could lineup if €38m target Hakan Calhanoglu joins
Turkish-Football recently reported that Chelsea have been keeping close tabs on Bundesliga star Hakan Calhanoglu.
Turkish media outlet Ajanspor meanwhile claim the Blues are prepared to offer €38 million for Calhanoglu which would activate his release clause.
Calhanoglu’s agent Bektas Demirtas has not ruled out his client leaving over the summer.
“Hakan is currently contracted to Leverkusen for another three years,” Demirtas said.
“If there is an offer which matches Bayer’s valuation and which suits Hakan, then my client is open to leave. However, the final decision lies with the club.”
If Calhanoglu were to join Chelsea over the summer this is how he could be used in the current setup.
See More: Everything you ever wanted to know about Hakan Calhanoglu
Calhanoglu is a versatile attacking midfielder with playmaker qualities, capable of playing on the right or left as well as behind the striker and as a makeshift forward.
The 22-year-old would also bring set-piece taking ability unrivalled in the current Chelsea setup.
Calhanoglu is renowned for his goal scoring ability direct from free-kicks but he also possesses a dangerous delivery from corners and set-pieces which physical players such as Diego Costa, David Luiz and Cahill would thrive on in the opposition box.
Positionally Calhanoglu would compete with Pedro for an attacking role behind the striker on the right or rotate with Eden Hazard.
Calhanoglu does not have the pace of Pedro but would bring more creativity to the side and more of a goal threat. The Turkish international has a dangerous long shot, scoring 17 times from outside the box since the 2012-13 season.
The Bayer star is also decent finisher in the box and is capable of unlocking defences with his impressive passing range.
Calhanoglu already has 28 goals and 29 assists for Bayer and has established himself as a first-team regular in the Turkish national side.
The playmaker has a wealth of Bundesliga and Champions League experience despite being just 22-years-old.
The Bayer star has however, been suspended by FIFA from playing club and international football over an incident which took place when he was aged 17.
According to the BBC, Trabzonspor paid Calhanogllu and his father – who was representing his as his agent – took a €100,000 payment to sign a professional contract with the club.
Calhanoglu opted to sign for Karlshruher instead which is why he has been punished.
The 22-year-old was ranked the sixth best performing player – statistically – in the Bundesliga according to Whoscored until his four month playing ban which was issued by FIFA.
