Why Should You Watch Turkish Super League?

It’s about a month before the transfer period ends, but most of the teams are ready at large. Today, I will make an XI including players who can make a difference. For sure, it is not easy to choose the best 11 players because there are a lot of talents. That’s why I will put myself in a manager’s shoes and cut staff decidedly. I have preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Let’s have a look.

Goalkeeper – Fernando Muslera

It would be great to say “before him” and “after him” for Galatasaray. They suffered for goalkeepers. Morgan De Sanctis, Leo Franco, Robinson Zapata, Aykut Ercetin, Ufuk Ceylan, none of them set the fans’ mind at rest till his arrival. I think he is a world class goalkeeper. The Uruguayan has been in goal for Galatasaray since 2011 August. Even though Galatasaray look awful, he will keep his status of being the best goalkeeper in the league this season. Dear Fenerbahce fans, please don’t get mad at me. Volkan Demirel and your new signing Carlos Kameni are great players, but Demirel can be inconsistent with his performances as we’ve seen in past seasons. Also, we have not watched Kameni in an official match yet. Dear Besiktas fans, I am sure you won’t get mad at me because your goalkeeper Fabri has a high level of self-confidence, and this causes losses of matches. You probably did not even choose him.

Right-back – Mauricio Isla

I have a lot of alternatives for the right-back position. Experienced player Gokhan Gonul, Galatasaray’s new signing Mariano, Sener Ozbayrakli who has been great in the matches he has played so far, and Junior Caicara who showed his quality in Basaksehir. I am taking a risk and choosing Mauricio Isla. He is the new signing of Fenerbahce. I want full-backs to contribute in the attacking phase, so he is really appropriate for this role. I think it is not necessary to explain how he is a player. If you read this blog, that means you are at least average football fan. We know him from Chile, Juventus, Marsilya and Cagliari. The world famous player is going to play in Turkish Super League this season. It is a reason why you should follow the league.

Centre-back – Pepe

The world of sport talked about this transfer. The world class centre-back preferred to come to Turkey, in particular Besiktas than anywhere else. He will help Besiktas get stronger but unfortunately he conceded a penalty in the Turkcell Super Cup final played against Konyaspor, and Besiktas lost the match. As a manager, I should not make a decision by looking at only one game. We’ll definately enjoy watching him this season!

Centre-back – Martin Skrtel

Most of the European football fans know him from Premier League. He was the tough guy of Liverpool. He has been playing for Fenerbahce since July of 2016. I am choosing him without hesitation. Football is played rough in Turkey, so defenders like Skrtel are liked by fans. I swear I don’t exaggerate, but fans really like defenders also kickboxing as a hobby. This is Turkey!

Left-back – Gael Clichy

I think he is the best transfer of the season. He is 32. You can tell that he is heading for his last round in football. However, you cannot deny he is a player of high quality. Basaksehir made a great move by buying him. If you watch his assist to Adebayor in Basaksehir-Club vs Brugge match played last week, you can understand me better.

Centre-midfielder – Mehmet Topal

As I mentioned above, I want full-backs to attack. That’s why I need a defensive midfielder who can be the 3rd man between centre-backs, His marking and tackling skills should be high. I have several options for this role. Atiba Hutchinson from Besiktas would be awesome for this role. Also, Galatasaray’s new signing Fernando may be good. However, I will be emotional and I will prefer to choose a Turkish player. He is Mehmet Topal. He is totally cut out for this position. Maybe some football fans know him from Valencia. He has been in Fenerbahce since 2012.

Centre-midfielder – Emre Belozoglu

I need a player who can contribute to attacking phases with passes, long passes, through balls. He should be the leader on the pitch. According to my experiences, observations and research, Turkish football or ecole (whatever you say) needs a leader managing the game and players. (In my other pieces, I will explain that in detail. Keep following me!). To get to the main point, just one player comes to my mind. He is Emre Belozoglu. Diverting the passing traffic while getting the team into better positions up the pitch. He is Turkish Xavi.

Attacking centre-midfielder – Talisca

Last season, he showed his amazing skills. He showed his amazing shots. He showed his amazing free kicks. Probably in the future, we see him in Premier League, so I have chosen him without hesitation. By the way, Younes Belhanda playing for Galatasaray and the young talent Yusuf Yazici playing for Trabzonspor are also remarkable players to watch.

Attacking right-midfielder – Mathieu Valbuena

It is the most difficult decision for me. Let me count the names can play in right-wingers. Ricardo Quaresma is one of them. No need to explain who he is. Last season’s Fenerbahce player, this season’s Besiktas player Jeremain Lens is another one. Unfortunately, he made Fenerbahce’s fans disappointed. Dear Besiktas fans, I won’t choose him for that squad. Fenerbahce’s new signing Nabil Dirar would be a good choice, but I won’t choose. Edin Visca from Basaksehir is also beside the names I thought of. I will take initiative and choose Mathieu Valbuena. You will probably watch him as a left winger or attacking midfielder. However, football is a risk game.

Attacking left-midfielder – Eljero Elia

For me, Ryan Babel playing for Besiktas may add to this squad. However, the new transfer Elia is my choice. The talented player can be the assist king this season. Opposing team’s right-backs will have many unfortunate moments because of him. The player playing for Basaksehir will make fans excited. Can you imagine how good Basaksehir’s left side is?

Striker – Samuel Eto’o

He may be an old man, he can be in the twilight of his career, but his talent lasts forever. He scored 38 goals in the last two years, so he is still worth-watching. Not only Samuel Eto’o but also Adebayor, Vagner Love, Negredo, Robin Van Persie, Gomis, Rodallega are remarkable players to watch. However, They are not Eto’o.

Last Word

I have the last word. I tried to show that Turkish Super League has high-quality players. As for the manager of the squad, I said I put myself in manager’s shoes, but Abdullah Avci would be suitable. If you follow the league, I am sure you will enjoy!