From Milan to Madrid, Frankfurt to Lisbon, Türkiye’s brightest footballers have stamped their authority throughout Europe this season, dazzling with targets, assists and grit that fueled their golf equipment’ ambitions.
Whether chasing silverware or surviving accidents, these gamers elevated not simply themselves however the Turkish flag in overseas stadiums.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu stood tall as Inter Milan’s midfield maestro, captaining each membership and nation with poise.
The 31-year-old Turkish skipper powered Inter to the UEFA Champions League closing, marking his second look on Europe’s grandest stage.
Across all competitions, he featured in 46 matches, scoring 11 targets and shelling out eight assists.
His contribution in Serie A – 5 targets and 6 assists in 29 video games – was pivotal as Inter surged by the season with fashion and metal.
He’ll now look to etch his title in historical past when Inter battles Paris Saint-Germain for the European crown.
In Turin, a 20-year-old is drawing whispers of a brand new legend.
Kenan Yıldız, donning Juventus’ iconic No. 10 shirt, channeled echoes of Del Piero with every contact.
The younger ahead performed 48 matches, scoring 9 occasions and aiding seven. His creativity, motion and imaginative and prescient have made him a cornerstone within the Old Lady’s rebuild.
Over in Portugal, Benfica discovered firepower and aptitude in a Turkish duo.
Orkun Kökçü, who initially struggled after a high-profile 25 million euro ($28.4 million) transfer from Feyenoord, silenced critics by ending the season with 12 targets and 9 assists in 51 matches.
Playing barely deeper than his typical attacking function, the 24-year-old orchestrated Benfica’s midfield with rising confidence.
He discovered a kindred spirit in compatriot Kerem Aktürkoğlu.
The former Galatasaray winger tailored seamlessly to Portuguese soccer, thrilling followers with 18 targets and 16 assists in 55 appearances.
Together, the pair grew to become central to Benfica’s title chase, falling simply quick in opposition to Sporting Lisbon.
Real Madrid’s youngest Turkish import, Arda Güler, needed to wait patiently earlier than making his mark.
Sidelined early within the marketing campaign, the 20-year-old bounced again with aptitude and finesse within the season’s latter phases.
Despite restricted minutes, he clocked in 42 appearances, netting 5 targets and contributing 9 assists throughout all fronts. With every alternative, Güler reminded Madridistas why the membership paid as much as 30 million euros for his providers.
Eintracht Frankfurt unearthed a gem in Can Uzun. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder arrived from Nürnberg for 11 million euros and rapidly impressed along with his versatility and physicality.
In 31 matches, he chipped in 5 targets and three assists, incomes reward as one of many Bundesliga’s most promising younger skills.
Although eligible for Germany, Uzun pledged allegiance to the Crescent-Stars and made his Turkish nationwide staff debut in March.
In Rome, Zeki Çelik carved a repute as a mannequin of consistency.
The right-back performed 43 video games for AS Roma, contributing one purpose and three assists.
Not even seasoned veteran Alessandro Florenzi may displace the 26-year-old, who arrived from Lille in 2022 and hasn’t seemed again.
Salih Özcan continued his Bundesliga journey with Borussia Dortmund, showing in 26 matches this season after a short mortgage spell at Wolfsburg.
The 27-year-old holding midfielder, who was born and raised in Germany, stays a reliable determine in Dortmund’s setup.
Across the English Channel, Altay Bayındır endured a irritating debut season at Manchester United.
Signed from Fenerbahçe for five million euros, the Turkish goalkeeper made simply 10 appearances, conceding 18 targets as a backup possibility behind Andre Onana.
Other Turkish exports dotted the European panorama with various levels of success.
Getafe’s Bertuğ Yıldırım featured in 27 video games, scoring thrice and aiding as soon as.
Stuttgart’s Atakan Karazor had a strong marketing campaign with 46 matches, three targets, and 4 assists.
Cenk Özkaçar struggled for minutes at Real Valladolid, managing solely 846 minutes in 12 video games.
Young striker Deniz Gül, who began in Sweden and landed at Porto this season, netted two targets in 23 matches.
Meanwhile, midfielder Demir Ege Tıknaz contributed 4 targets and two assists in 33 outings for Rio Ave, the place he’s on mortgage from Beşiktaş.
Westerlo’s Emin Bayram scored as soon as in 31 video games, and Ajax’s Ahmetcan Kaplan managed two targets in 15 matches.
Injury woes marred a number of careers.
Ferdi Kadıoğlu’s promising begin at Brighton was halted by a toe harm, limiting him to eight video games and two targets.
Enes Ünal’s 19.7 million euro transfer to Bournemouth was derailed by an ACL tear in January.
The ahead managed solely 17 Premier League matches, scoring twice and aiding as soon as.
Yusuf Yazıcı performed simply 20 minutes for Olympiakos earlier than a season-ending ligament harm in October, whereas Ozan Kabak didn’t make a single look for Hoffenheim because of a torn cruciate ligament.
Still, Turkish footballers overseas delivered a season to recollect.
Source: www.dailysabah.com