What happened in Turkish football today? 30/05/2021

 

Youngsters will focus to prove themselves to Senol Gunes.

Turkish National Team is going to play its 2nd pre-Euro 2020 against Guinea which would provide even more to make final decision regarding of final 26 players which would be selected for tournament starting on 11th June.

In original plan, Turkey has been planning to play friendly game against Northern Ireland which been promised to be most tough opponent in this 3-game friendly game but due of travelling restrictions game been cancelled and at short notice Turkey would be playing with African side Guinea, against who it would be meeting for 1st time and to some extend is being even more test for opponent as it would be getting opportunity to play against strong opponent. It is expected for Turkey to be coming out with much better and closer squad for Euro 2020 however with being 1 day before Senol Gunes announces final selection of 26 players it would be expected for some youth players to get playing time during this game.

Therefore, this game would be very good opportunity for younger players to prove themselves to Senol Gunes against pretty modest side.

Senol Gunes has difficult task to reduce squad from 30 to 26.

Staying with Turkish National Team, currently head coach Senol Gunes is going through final 26 players which would be travelling which does mean he would be reducing from provisional 30 players.

It needs to be noted that more or less side is being with experienced players who does shoes strong game in Europe, but there is questions especially young players like Halil Dervisoglu, Kemal Akturkoglu and Ridvan Yilmaz which has high potential as they shown during previous season but might not be ready enough. Here plays important role how side would perform during training camp and friendlies game as Halil Dervisoglu did show strong confident game against Azerbaijan providing promising view for his selection to final squad for Euro2020 while Ridvan Yilmaz and Kemal Akturkoglu did leave some questions. Reducing only 4 players might seem to be easy task but its not as all this players are currently best in country so it would be difficult period for Senol Gunes for sure.

There are high expectation from Turkey at Euro 2020 and hence right selection needs to be done so it would not dissapoint supporters.

Kayserispor has appointed Ali Naibi for 3 years

Kayserispor which aims to show better performance in upcoming season did appoint Ali Naibi as sports director for 3 years.

Without doubt, with Kayserispor having pretty difficult previous 2 seasons with securing its stay at top league in the last week has appointed Ali Naibi for 3 years as sports director, which without doubt would have positive impact with transferring right players into squad. Naibi did have successful period with Besiktas previously playing important role with getting some important players who in return did bring some good result during his stay. This could be challenging task for Ali Naibi as it is not easy manage club which does have less budget compare to his previous work, but he does capability to achieve this.

With this appointment, we might see some eye-catching and interesting transfers from side without forgetting of course its financial condition.

Schedule:

International Friendly Game:

20:00 Turkey - Guinea

In other news:

- Kayserispor player Gustavo Campanharo has been dicharged from hospital after being fully recovered from Covid19.

- TurkishNationalTeam player Burak Yilmaz had Covid 19 vaccine.

- Kayserispor CEO Berna Gozbasi: We did recieve 2 transfer offers from Turkish club and 2 foreign clubs for Dogan Alemdar and Pedro Henrique, but those offers are not high enough. We will not sell player in amount which is not worth.

- CeltaVigo player Okay Yokuslu: I still have 2-year contract with this side and my intention to stay but due of financial condition club might decide to sell me. I don't have plans to return to Turkey.

- RealBetis head coach Manuel Pellegrini has declined offer from Fenerbahce for head coach position.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Milan player Diego Laxalt.

- Goztepe are interested to transfer Panathiakos player Anargyros Kamptsesis.

- Fenerbahce interested to transfer Real Madrid player Marcelo.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Strasbourg player Ludovic Ajorgue.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Deportes Tolima player Alvaro Montero.

What happened in Turkish football today? 29/05/2021

 Nihat Ozdemir has stated that relegated will not be back for next season.

Turkish Football Federation CEO Nihat Ozdemir has stated that there will be no relegation from previous season as relegated side has send request to keep them on top league as TFF has registered previous season results.

Nihat Ozdemir did state that previous season has been exception as during season before that Covid19 crises did come into unexpected manner and did create some serious issues to all clubs so it would been good for them to stay at league but stated that this condition were not same in last season and hence there is no reason to keep. Even through without doubt relegated sides did have difficult season due of Covid19, this request which been send earlier to cancel relegation was more move from previous season thinking that TFF would be following it again but doint this season, while this blog didnt defend it even previous season, would been difficult mistake without doubt.

Having 21 sides in this season did create lots of issues without doubt both for uneven amount of sides and high number of games, and this experiment in all fairness didnt work well.

Trabzonspor has forgiven its player Abdulkadir Parmak

Trabzonspor has forgiven its player Abdulkadir Parmak after refusing to enter to field as substitude during previous season game against Galatasaray which led him to be taken out of squad.

As soon this incident did happen, Parmak did show signs of being sorry for such action but its been decision for club to wait until end of the season and following today's meeting between parties with likely Parmak making gunienely clear that he feels sorry for such action did been forgiven from side. This incident without doubt has been good lesson for him and other player showing that Trabzonspor head coach Abdullah Avci will not accept such behaviour and players should provide respect to coaching decisions. It is reported that player would be attending to pre-season training sessions starting on July.

As been noted, this been good lesson for Abdulkadir Parmak and he is very likely to be more careful with his behavior.

Hatayspor signs Emre Colak for 2-years 

Hatayspor has signed Emre Colak for 2-years which could help side to keep its aim to keep its top aim of the standing in the upcoming season as side has high aims.

Emre Colak who did play at Galatasaray and Deportivo La Coruna in previous season, even through is getting slowly end end of his footballing career does still has potentiality to show top level game and hence its reason for him to be signed by club.In fact, he did play part of last season at similar side Fatih Karagumruk providing pretty good performance until he was taken from squad after his social media comments towards Galatasaray support, lesson which he likely did learn. This move does look to be good one for both sides as Emre Colak did move side which pretty high aims while side did get player which would help them to achieve it.

Emre Colak still can provide good performance and hence this does seem to be good transfer for Hatayspor.

In other news:

- Kayserispor has appointed Ali Naibi as sports director for 3-years

- Gaziantep has ended contract with its players Andre Sousa, Junior Morais and Roderick Miranda

- Kayserispor CEO Berna Gozbasi has called for municipality workers and businesspeople at Kayseri to provide money aid to the club.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Cagliali player Kwadwo Asamoah.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Qarabag player Mahir Emreli.

- Goztepe are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Zanka and Hosseini.

- Olympiakos are interested to transfer Fatih Karagumruk player Alessandro Ndao, Besiktas player Rachid Ghezzal and Georges Kevin Nkoudou

- Sivasspor are interested to transfer Watford player Troy Deeney.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Santa Clara player Lincoln.

- Fenerbahce has started negotiations with Manuel Pelegrini for head coach position.

- Udinese and Anderlecht are interested to transfer Konyaspor player Amir Hadziamehotovic.

What happened in Turkish football today? 28/05/2021

 

Senol Gunes might get some ideas now for making final 26 player squad for Euro 2020.

Turkish National Team did start its pre-Euro 2020 friendlies period with win against Azerbaijan which would provide confidence and morale to side but it should be noted that side didnt provide its strongest game.

Saying that, aim of this game wasnt to get especially win or confident win as more to check out condition of players which are not expected to be regular starting 11 and even more important to assist for decision to reduce squad from 30-players to 26 on 1st June. Even through it is hard to note that side did show strong dominant game, allowing opponents to control ball, the best player of the game been Halil Dervisoglu who apart scoring goal also showed strong confident game and it he continues like this in training sessions and against Guinea, he shouldnt have much problems to get selected to 26-player squad. Meanwhile, there is been worry with Altay Bayindir and Halil Akbunar with getting injured which does remind that biggest risk of this friendlies is being injury and lets hope this would not be case for upcoming friendlies.

This game been good reference for Senol Gunes regarding alternative players he would be using at Euro 2020.

Altay is back where it believes it needs to be regularly.

As our blog did discuss about 2 clubs which been promoted to Super League, we would now focus into 3rd side Altay which did join through beating Altinordu at 1st league play-off round final game.

With side not being on top division since late 1990s, but having actually ver good history in Turkish football did get into confident manner into top league as it managed to beat its Izmir rivals and rising sides from Izmir to 2 teams, which is important news for 3rd biggest city in country. Without doubt, legendary Turkish coach Mustafa Denizli, who did play also big role for rising Turkish sides in 1990s into European level, did return to team where he has spend his footballing years and hence provided some emotional feeling. It did take long period for side to get into league which it believes it needs to be so it would focussed to make side which would be competitive in top league for sure.

Altay might not be known outside of Turkey but it is known to be one of the main clubs and hence it would be trying to provie itself to be in next season.

Basaksehirspor has extended contract with Ugur Ciftci for 1-year

Basaksehirspor has extended contract with its player Ugur Ciftci for 1-year which does show it does aim to keep players good performance despite of not getting lots of game time during this season.

Ugur Ciftci it needs to be accepted even through never been top player but still strong enough to get attention with his performance in the league has been in decline so this extension still provides that it has trust and belief towards Ugur Ciftci to which player would likely to respond in upcoming season. Still, it needs to be noted that some squad change and regaining motivation and belief for upcoming season to players after not very successful season, so it would be see what moves team make in this summer.

This has been 1st, even through internal, transfer move from Basaksehirspor and our blog would flow what other actions it would make in upcoming months.

In other news:

- IbrahimOzdemir has provided list of administrative team for Galatasaray CEO election.

- Galatasaray CEO candidates Isin Celebi, Burak Elmas and Metin Ozturk provided their own administrative list.

- Trabzonspor ended contracts with Majid Hosseini, Kamil Ahmet Corekci, Lewis Baker, Marlon Xavier and Benik Afobe.

- FatihKaragumruk has requested 2.2 million euro from Trabzonspor for Lucas Biglia

- FatihKaragumruk administrator Murat Akin: We didnt recieve transfer offer from Olympiakos for Alassane Ndao. We are in talks with French side which gave us 2nd offer. There is also offer from Spain.

- YeniMalatyaspor are interested to transfer Hugo Rodallega

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Al Shabab player Fabio Martins.

- Roma and Fiorentina are interested to transfer Lille player Burak Yilmaz

- Goztepe are interested to transfer Darmstadt player Serdar Dursun.

- Fenerbahce players Gustavo and Diego Perotti didnt accept salary reduction request from club.

What happened in Turkish football today? 27/05/2021

 

Azerbaijan allowed for Senol Gunes to see current condition of his side.

Turkish National Team has won its pre-Euro 2020 international friendly game with 2:1 scoreline with providing pretty calm, not very high tempo game where some players which aim to prove themselves for final squad did provide good song.

It needs to be noted that Turkey didnt start game very well with providing slow tempo and not getting into too much opportunities and did lead with such game for Azerbaijan to get some opportunities and control of the ball which led them to find goal with Mahmudov. With conceding goal it did lead for Senol Gunes and also player as waking up call that thing is not going well and has led for them to change some tactics which led them to find 2 goals until end of the half. Even through Turkey did win game with low scoreline and without much opportunities this could be seen as normal outcome as he did focus to check more into how his starting 11 which needs to be noted is not likely to be one which would be used in Euro 2020. Negative aspect has been for Turkey been without doubt been injuries of Altay Bayindir and Halil Akbunar with meanwhile it needs to be noted that Azerbaijan did provide harsh game but this been mainly due of differences between level of sides and there wasnt any bad will from players.

Azerbaijan it needs to be noted did provide some good performance against Turkey which been extra motivation due of playing against stronger side and also playing with team which team has good diplomatic connections.

Turkey did provide good performance and without doubt did provide some positive and not so for upcoming 2 friendlies and eventually for Euro2020.

Adana Demirspor might need to go through its transfer politics this summer.

With Altay being promoted following win against Altinordu at 1st league play-off round final game, we are starting our review and preview with starting of 1st league Adana Demirspor who got title thanks to head-to-head against Giresunspor and Samsunspor.

Being led with one of the most experienced Turkish coaches Samet Aybaba this side being promoted for first time to top league after it being relegated during 1995-96 season, to some extend living top performance at Adanaspor which even through didnt become regular did compete for some reasons at Super League. Right now, there are some transfer rumours coming from side which includes it does have some transfer negotiations with Mario Balottelli which does provide view that side is being focussed into filling its positions with some aged top players, tactics which tends to be focussed by side which been promoted but doesnt provide good result. Without doubt team does need to go through its transfer politics for next season to focus on players which would move side further.

Adana Demirspor without doubt does focus into making themselves regular to Super League but they might need to go through some revisions with transfer options. 

Giresunspor has reached to top league after 44-years absence

Compare to Adana Demirspor, Giresunspor absence from Super League has been even longer with its being absent since 1977 after staying on top league for 4 seasons.

Giresunspor during this 44 years did have mix of results in lower leagues but it wasnt even seen among favourites to get into top league but with leadership of Hakan Keles it did manage to get into top of league and without doubt after being absent for so many years would be focussed into making side and also using arleady good squad among young players to have successfull team which would stay at league after being absent for 44 years. Even through it didnt sing extension with Hakan Keles it is being seen as almost certain with both sides showing returning good-will to each other without doubt. Now as been noted side woudl need to focus into making strong confident side for upcoming season during this summer transfer window.

After being absent away it surely will not be seeing themselves to be relegated after only one season without doubt.

Results:

International Friendly Game:

Turkey 2:1 Azerbaijan

In other news:

- Gaziantep has extended contract with Papy Djibodji until 2024.

- TurkishNationalTeam will play international friendly against Guinea on 31st May at 20:00.

- Sivasspor player Max Gradel has been selected to Cote d Ivore squad friendly game against Ghana while Faycal Fajr been selected to to Morocco National Team for game against Ghana

- TFF spending limits for big 3 clubs been announced as:

- Galatasaray: 374 million TL

- Fenerbahce: 307 million TL

- Besiktas: 304 million TL

- Trabzonspor CEO Ahmet Agaoglu has stated that club is currently having negotiations with 3-4 players.

- Kayserispor CEO Berna Gozbasi: For club not getting into difficult economical condition I have provided 170 million TL from personnel finances, out of which 51 million TL were for transfers.

- Besiktas has set transfer fee of its player Ersin Destanoglu as 8 million euro.

- Hatayspor has made transfer deal with Emre Colak.

- Basaksehirspor are interested to transfer Saint Etienne player Wahbi Khazri.

- Trabzonspor has set transfer fee for its player Caleb Ekuban as 10 million euro.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Sampdoria player Roman Vieira

- Galatasaray CEO candidate Burak Elmas doesnt consider to join together with some CEO candidates idea.

- Gorica doesnt consider to reduce transfer option offered from Goztepe for Cherif Ndiaye

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Fatih Karagumruk player Fabio Borini..

What happened in Turkish football today? 26/05/2021

 

Senol Gunes will have opportunity to check undecided players against Azerbaijan.

Turkish National Team is going to start its pre-international friendly campaign prior to Euro2020 with brother nation Azerbaijan with its head coach Senol Gunes getting good opportunity to check condition of undecided players.

It needs to be noted that Turkey choice of pre-Euro2020 friendlies sadly is not being against tough opponents with Azerbaijan which does show some improvement in recent weeks even through not significant ones could be seen as most tough opponent. Saying that it needs to be remembered that we still living at pandemic period(fact which been forgotten by some) which does provide some issues with getting friendly games with good opportunities. Coming to game, this game would provide some opportunities to check some players which he is not decided yet for final 26-player squad and hence would be also good opportunity for young players to prove themselves. Azerbaijan without doubt would provide its strongest performance to get good win against tough opponent.

Therefore this friendly and possibly following 2 would be good opportunity to check undecided player prior to start of Euro 2020 for Senol Gunes.

Trabzonspor signs Bruno Peres and Gervinho.

Trabzonspor has made first 2 transfers during this summer transfer period with signing 2 players with strong career: Bruno Peres and Gervinho which joined side by being free agents.

In fact, reason why both players were able to be signed prior to openning of transfer window has been them being free agents and would be able to join side as soon pre-season camp starts on late June likely. Bruno Peres been signed for 2-years with 1.2 million euro salary while Gervinho for 3-years with 1.5 million euro as Trabzonspor administration needs to be praised for making fast transfer deal with two significant players with players signing contract as soon as season was over. This transfer to some extend also shows that side would be focussing into much more impressive transfers with staying focus into keeping salaries not very high.

It is possible both players getting to end of their career but with their experience they would help side during next season.

Antalyaspor CEO Mustafa Yilmaz resigns from his post.

Antalyaspor CEO Mustafa Yilmaz has resigned from his post due of not recieving too much economical support from outsides which does show by itself into difficult conditions club is financially.

Ironically, Mustafa Yilmaz did sign on next day when he called for TFF CEO Nihat Ozdemir to resign from his post due of events with supporters during Turkish Cup final against Besiktas arguing that spread of both supporters has been done unfairly.This incident without doubt does show that Antalyaspor does have limited issues with cash which could also led for upcoming period of finding new CEO as not many would be willing to lead such club with so much issues. Therefore it would be interesting to see how this would develop in upcoming period and if Yilmaz would provide his support to upcoming CEO.

This decision needs to be noted has been pretty unexpectedly since he did call for resignation but it was known club had some difficulties with cash.

Results:

Turkish 1st league Playoff round, Final:

Altinordu 0:1 Altay

Schedule:

International Friendly Game:

20:00 Turkey -Azerbaijan

In other news:

- Galatasaray administrative board CEO election will be having on 18th June

- TFF considers to keep 14 foreign players limit for next season.

- Hatayspor sports director Fatih Kavlak has resigned from his post.

- Giresunspor has extended contract with its players Caner Huseyin Bag and Hayrullah Bilazer

- Hatayspor player Aaron Boupendza agent Serdar Dagli: We aiming to make deal which would be suitable to his current club. We are on talks with 3 clubs, but there is no limit.

- Galatasaray CEO candidate Isin Celebi: I am suggesting for all CEO candidates to meet up on 27th May to talk about issues in the club. This is first time we have 6 candidates, this would lead for more division.

- AdanaDemirspor are interested to transfer Ankaragucu player Joseph Paintsil.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Valladolid player Shon Weismann

- Goztepe are interested to transfer Gil Vicente player Lourency.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Monaco player Henry Onyekuru.

- Goztepe are interested to transfer Erzurumspor player Emrah Bassan.

- Alanyaspor are interested to transfer Bafetembi Gomis.

- Besiktas has offered extension contract to its player Domagoj Vida with reduction of salary from 3.7 million euro to 2.5-3 million euro

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Goteborg player Marek Hamsik.

What happened in Turkish football today? 25/05/2021

 

Cevdat Akinal has been appointed as new Gaziantep CEO.

Cevdat Akinal has officially been appointed as Gaziantep CEO from today as his previous CEO Mehmet Buyukeksi has ended his reign from self-willingness as Akinal does have an aim to keep side in the top for next season with improving side for upcoming season.

Without doubt, Gaziantep has been side which been providing improvement in previous 2 seasons with getting close to European competitions but been just some points to achieving this aim, and without doubt it would be seeking very likely to get that spot in upcoming season with providing right transfers without providing too much pressure to its financial situation. Akinal to some extend is being lucky with factor that club did make provisional deal with Erol Bulut for head coach position which would mean he would not be focussed with finding new coach even through it would be expected for him to provide green sign for this appointment. Without doubt Akinel and Erol Bulut would not focus into making competitive side for next season this summer.

Gaziantep is going through new beginning with new CEO election and time would show if he would be able to move side ahead.

Galatasaray CEO candidates has promised to work with Fatih Terim when being elected.

Following Galatasaray CEO Mustafa Cengiz statement that he would not be working with Fatih Terim while being CEO of club and with election coming up on 12th June if date is not moved again, all other CEO's has stated that for them 1st choice is Terim.

With popularity which Terim has with Galatasaray which includes winning UEFA Cup in 2000 and Super League titles between 1996-2000 where he got that legendary status, he understandably got strong support and praise from Galatasaray supporters and whole media. With him being more or less red line for Galatasaray supporters and everyone involved with club, it could be noted that this statements from all CEO candidates is more or less being popularity role especially when effectiveness of Terim at the club despite of good ending of season is being questioned. In fact, what made some unhappy from this statement been its tone rather then content. It is known that it is difficult to work with Fatih Terim with his attitude and tone with different administration in previous season so it would be interesting to how he would work with new management.

Therefore, some CEO candidates could be confidently saying they work with Fatih Terim to win elections but would they keep this promise when they would be elected is unclear.

Extension with Sergen Yalcin expected to be announced officially next week.

Besiktas supporters are waiting for official statements regarding of extension with Sergen Yalcin who brough this historical double title as administration promises that he would be staying in the club.

In fact, it is certain that he would be staying as both sides does want to work together in upcoming years due of both successes and also both parties having strong understanding and it does look to be situation of formalities. Right now Sergen Yalcin following difficult season is having holiday break and it is expected for both sides to be having one-on-one meeting where deal which would be expect salary and duration to be made final decision in next week. For now, it does look like both Sergen Yalcin and Ahmet Nur Cebi would be working for long time which is what expected from supporters.

Therefore, question is not will Yalcin extend contract or not but for how long and with what salary

Schedule:

Turkish 1st league, Play-off round, Final:

20:00 Altinordu - Altay

In other news:

- PFDK decisions:

- Antalyaspor recieved 48,000 TL fine for events on field and not wearing masks at stands

- Antalyaspor CEO Mustafa Yilmaz recieved 66,000 TL and 45-days of deprivation of rights fine for anti-sportmanship actions and actions to media

- Besiktas received 48,000 TL fine for events on field and not wearing masks.

- TFF has appointed Cuneyt Cakir as referee of 1st league Play-off final game between Altinordu and Altay

- Kayserispor player Gustavo Campanharo is showing improvement of condition during Covid19 treatment and been taken to normal treatment.

- AdanaDemirspor has extended contracts with Pa Dibba and Gokhan Inler.

- TurkishNationalTeam players Burak Yilmaz, Yusuf Yazici and Zeki Celik has joined pre-Euro 2020 training camp in Antalya

- TurkishNationalTeam player Kenan Karaman, Ozan Kabak and Enes Unal have joined team for pre-Euro 2020 training camp in Antalya

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Tiquinho Soares, Villarreal player Carlos Bacca and Monaco player Stevan Jovetic.

- IbrahimOzdemir has announced his candidacy for Galatasaray CEO election.

- Gervinho and Bruno Peres has arrived to Trabzon for one-on-one transfer negotiations with Trabzonspor.

- Basaksehirspor has extended contract with its player Volkan Babacan for 3 years

- Fenerbahce are having negotiations with Ferencvaros head coach Serhiy Rebrov.

- Gaziantep CEO Cevdet Akinal has stated that club has extended contract with Pape Djiboudji and would make deals with Mirza Cihan, Muhammed Demir and Alexandru Maxim

- Kayserispor CEO Berna Gozbasi: We did recieve offers for Bernard Mensah and Doga Alemdar. We are at difficult situation but it doesn't mean we would sell everyone.

- Galatasaray administrator Maruf Gunes has resigned from his post.

- Fenerbahce will not use +1 year option with Gokhan Gonul at contract

- Rizespor CEO Hasan Kartal has resigned from his position while Tahir Kiran will take his place

- AlNasr has offered 8 million euro to Trabzonspor player Jorge Djaniny.

- GermanNationalTeam head coach Joachim Low has declined offer from Fenerbahce.

- AdanaDemirspor head coach Samet Aybaba has stated that club would transfer 3-4 players during this summer transfer window.

- Valencia are interested to transfer Besiktas player Vincent Aboubakar

- AdanaDemirspor, Gaziantep, Basaksehirspor, Alanyaspor are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Sinan Gumus.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Le Havre player Umut Meras

What happened in Turkish football today? 24/05/2021

 Nihat Ozdemir states 20-team league is being too much while defending its last summer.

TFF CEO Nihat Ozdemir continues with providing contracting statements and decisions as he stated that Super League would be returned to 18-teams in few years time while prior to start of last season he was supporting 20-team side.

Nihat Ozdemir during interview to league broadcaster has stated that 20-team league would be tough one and is not suitable for Turkish football while he was saying opposite prior to last season while defending it as we had 21-team league. Even more importantly if such project is tough one and old system does work why it went through changes which even through does provide goodwill to sides which been relegated, it did provide difficult period for all clubs where each side did struggle including champions. Sadly, TFF CEO Nihat Ozdemir either does have issues with foreseeing situation which was clear with some decision during pandemic period or makes decisions spontaneously. Such management surely is not good thing for Turkish football development.

Sadly, we are having unstable administration which in few days time could  change once again to 20-team league.

Burak Yilmaz became star of Lille's Ligue  1 title.

Lille has become Ligue 1 champions due of big thanks to Turkish stars in the side Burak Yilmaz, Yusuf Yazaci and Umut Meras writing history both in Turkish and French football.

Without doubt, main focus should be given to Burak Yilmaz who in age of 35 has moved to European club, which could be seen to be pretty late and played one of the most important role for side to be getting French title and getting big love from side supporters and French sports media. Such great results without doubt did rises questions why Yilmaz has waited for so long to move to Europe as this blog in previous years did criticise Yilmaz for not going to Europe when he got chances. Still, he did show great performance and would be going to Euro 2020 as most-known and biggest start which certainly would affect how side would be performing at the tournament.

Burak Yilmaz has written history both to Lille and Ligue 1 and only dissapointment was him to join side to late.

Kasimpasa has extended contract with Senol Can for 1-year

Kasimpasa has extended contract with its head coach Senol Can for 1-year as he joined side in the end of the season and did get some good and impressive results in the end of the season.

Senol Can whose aim was to secure club into Super League in several weeks before end of the league which he did do got reward from club with signing 1-year contract as he did show strong confident game with his side with showing strong competitive game.Therefore, such record should be rewarded by Kasimpasa as he would be now likely to be focussing with his side to become stronger for next season and possibly keep side further from relegation during whole season fighting even possible for European spot as both current squad and his capacity could achieve that.

Surely, Kasimpasa would have strong focussed summer transfer period and we would keep on eye as with all 20 clubs.

In other news:

- TurkishNationalTeam players Merih Demiral, Orkun Kokcu and Okay Yokuslu has joined pre-Euro2020 training camp in Antalya

- TurkishNationalTeam players Hakan Calhanoglu, Kaan Ayhan, Mert Muldur and Caglar Soyuncu have joined pre-Euro2020 training camp in Antalya.

- Galatasaray players Oghenekaro Etebo and Valentine Ozornwafor has been selected to Nigerian National Team for international friendly against Cameroon.

- Brentford has set transfer fee of Halil Dervisoglu as 10 million euro.

- Gaziantep has made 1-year loan deal with Yeni Malatyaspor player Benjamin Tetteh.

- Antalyaspor and Kasimpasa are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Harun Tekin.

- Bruno Labbadia has declined offer from Fenerbahce for head coach position.

- Fiorentina has offered 4 million euro to Fatih Karagumruk player Alessano Ndao

- Nice has offered 5 million euro to Besiktas for Ersin Destanoglu but club requests 12 million euro.

- Trabzonspor CEO Ahmet Agaoglu has stated that club cant afford to transfer Cornelius.

- FortunaDusseldorf player Kenan Karaman has announced that he ended contract with his club

- Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Altinordu player Burak Ince.

- Goztepe are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Ryan Donk.

- Rizespor are interested to transfer Yeni Malatyaspor player Fofana and Trabzonspor player Marlon.

- Fiorentina and Sampdoria are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Caleb Ekuban

- Galatasaray are interested to appoint Altay head coach Mustafa Denizli

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Sport Club Internacional player Yuri Alberto.

- Besiktas has started transfer negotiations with Benfica player Haris Seforovic.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Leon player Yairo Moreno.

-

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Freiburg player Keven Schlotterbeck.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Genclerbirligi player Arda Kizildag

What happened in Turkish football today? 23/05/2021

 

Marcao has extended contract with Galatasaray for 3-years.

Galatasaray has extended contract with its defender Marcao for 3-years as player provided generally great defensive game during this season and previous years providing probably most trust in back at squad.

As always main focus following 1st days following end of the season is to focus into internal transfers and probably one of the players which Galatasaray would be putting into top of keeping would been Marcao who provided very strong defensive game with being highly focussed all the time as player without doubt himself is having his best years at career. Without doubt, to be successful defender in this league its important to have strong physique as it is been physical league and Marcao does have that  and adding to this also strong skills would make him ideal to the side. Hence, this contract without doubt would make both sides happy as side slowly start making its plans for summer transfer window.

Following extension with Fernando Muslera which been done during season, Marcao has been 2nd extension contract with some more names to be followed very likely.

There is cold war between Terim and Cengiz.

Galatasaray CEO Mustafa Cengiz during press conference which was given on 21st May made it clear that if he would be staying as CEO he would not be working with Fatih Terim if he doesnt apologize for criticisms towards administration.

It needs to be noted that such statements been surprising in sense that its not even clear if Cengiz would be running for CEO election during June but to some extend announcement itself wasnt huge surprise as disagremements with Fatih Terim and Mustafa Cengiz has been know and stated openly for very long time even through not in that direct level until that conference. Meanwhile, all other CEO candidates knowing his importance and support he gets from supporters did promise that he would be working with Terim which to some extend could be seen as using popularity card. Terim without providing long statements of this issue did mention he is highly dissapointed which does show this issue would be continued in upcoming period for sure.

This issue could take different stance in future and we would be following it without doubt how it would turn around.

Adana Demirspor are interested with Mario Ballotelli.

Newly promoted Adana Demirspor CEO Mustafa Sancak has stated that club is showing interest with Monza player Mario Ballotelli but there is question if club can afford to purchase him.

Even through value of Ballotelli is going down due of his age, it still easy to expect that he would not come to modest price due of his strong career unless he would see it as good opportunity to end his footballing career in Turkey. To some extend, this transfer might even turn problematic for them if it would happen as club would follow classical mistake of signing world-famous names in the end of they carreer which never been good news as seen from other examples including recent ones. 

Only advantage which Barrottelli could bring to club is his experience and pass it to other teammates but surely its not clear if he would help side on field.

In other news:

- 1stleague play-off final game between Altay and Altinordu would be played at Ataturk Olympic Stadium on 26th May at 20:00.

- IbrahimOzdemir has announced his candidacy for Galatasaray CEO election.

- FatihKaragumruk has extended contract with Emiliano Viviano and Koray Altinay

- Galatasaray has made transfer deals with Kasimpasa player Aytac Kara and Alpaslan Ozturk.

- Houston are interested to transfer Yeni Malatyaspor player Teenage Hadebe.

- YigitSardan is expected to announce his CEO candidacy for Galatasaray CEO election.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Fatih Karagumruk player Enzo Roco

- LeicesterCity has set transfer fee of Racchid Ghezzal as 16 million euro.

- Fenerbahce has set transfer fee of its player Ozan Tufan as 20 million euro.

- Besiktas has offered 3 million euro to Sporting Lisbon for Valentin Rosier.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Atletico Madrid player Diego Costa

What happened in Turkish football today? 22/05/2021

 

Genclebrirligi poor defence has led them to be relegated.

This blog entry would continue its series of summary of 2020-21 Super League season with 3 clubs which been relegated to 1st league starting with two of the Ankara sides Genclerbirligi and Ankaragucu.

Starting with one of respected sides in Turkish football Genclerbirligi which even through doesnt have very bad squad and did actually had some good results during whole season, still didnt manage to show continuous game with among them losing very badly  in some of the games and not showing much continuing game with going through some serious defensive issues which without doubt did been one of the main aspects for them to be relegated. Without having strong defensive game, it needs to be noted that it still come to last week with some hope to be staying in the league but still didnt have much hope as it did lose some points prior to that crucial game and didnt provide much pressure to Trabzonspor during that game.

Genclerbirligi didnt really fulfill its expectation due of some poor transfers for defence and also administrative issues without doubt.

Hikmet Karaman did his best for Ankaragucu to stay at top.

Without doubt, one of the sides which it been specifically dissapointed to see to be relegated has been Ankaragucu since when Hikmet Karaman did become head coach of the side it did provide some very good performance but its been too late.

Ankaragucu during start of the season did provide very unsatisfactorily performance losing high number of points and therefore its been difficult for Hikmet Karaman to raise side into high level. Ankaragucu as in fact others sides which been relegated been around relegation zone for most amount of the time and did come from there towards end but with having some tough games in the end of the season did lose some crucial points. Still, praise should be given to Karaman and fighting spirit and this is being possibly only side which gamewise could be stated did everything to stay at top league.

With Genclerbirligi and Ankaragucu been relegated this means there will be no side from Ankara, capital of Turkey, which is not good news for city with such states and both this 2 clubs needs to go through this as whole football community of city.

Poor administration led Denizlispor to be relegated.

Despite of having pretty strong players especially at attack such Hugo Rodallega and Sagal, Denizlispor without doubt did provide poorest performance which been mainly due of poor administrating of the side. 

Denizlispor in fact did show interesting performance due of fact that it did get high number of opportunities but did convert them with low opportunity with Hugo Rodallega taking main stance but he singly handedly did manage to keep side at top. There were some serious issue of payment to the players without doubt which did affect to morale and hence performance of club, and similar issues took place on previous season which sadly seen that administration didnt learn from mistake.

From tomorrow this blog would go into discussing about daily issues focussing into  transfers and slowly getting into Euro2020 mood but on 27th May entry, as on previous 3rd side to be promoted to Super League will be know there would be entry of promoted side ending summer of 2020-21 season. 

Results:

Turkish 1st League, Play-off round, semi-final, 2nd leg:

Istanbulspor 0:1 Altay(agg: 2:4)

Samsunspor 2:2 Altinordu (agg: 2:3)

In other news:

- TurkishNationalTeam players Altay Bayindir, Ridvan Yilmaz, Umut Meras and 8 personnel got 2nd dose of Covid19 vaccine(Biontech/Pfizer)

- Galatasaray has extended contract with its player Marcao for 2-years

- Sivasspor has extended contract with Max Gradel for 2-years

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Antalyaspor player Gokhan Bayraktar,

- Galatasaray head coach Fatih Terim: As every supporter, I became saddened statements made by CEO Mustafa Cengiz.

- YeniMalatyaspor are interested to transfer Besiktas player Jeremain Lens

- Sivasspor head coach Riza Calimbay: I had talks with our administration. There were some issues which didn't satisfy me. I am thinking to sign 1-year contract, I don't look for long term deal. If I stay we would transfer 5-6 players.

- Kayserispor has set transfer fee of its player Dogan Alemdar as 4 million euro.

- Antalyaspor are interested to transfer Akhisarspor player Dogukan Neli

- Fenerbahce player Luis Gustavo considers to leave his club during summer transfer window.

- Fenerbahce has offered 3-year contract to AEK player Marco Livaja

- Monaco are interested to transfer Besiktas-loaned player Rachid Ghezzal.

- Besiktas considers to sign Sergen Yalcin for 2-years with 2 million euro salary.

- Besiktas player Dorukhan Tokoz: I have selected song "I am leaving" because I really love that song and I also really love Besiktas. My future is not clear for now.

- AtleticoMadrid are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Berke Ozer

- Galatasaray doesnt consider to use transfer option of Henry Onyekuru.