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Throwing the towel in the Turkish Cup in Europe, getting to the edge of the relegation line in the Super League and relaxing with the victories in the last weeks. Galatasarayhaving one of the worst seasons in its history Kerem Akturkoglu‘s star is getting brighter with each passing day. Kerem, who took his place on the field in 48 of the 49 official matches his team played this season, is at the top of the team in both statistics, scoring 12 goals and 10 assists in all lanes. Not much, but 2 years ago, while playing in the 3rd League, the 23-year-old football player, whose market value is now 15 million Euros and one of the 10 most valuable Turkish players, told Hürriyet about his difficulties, how he got to this level and his goals:
I signed with big dreams
“I’ve never talked about it. Because I wanted to forget what I went through. Maybe it’s heavy, but I think my 4 years were stolen. At the age of 16, I signed for Başakşehir with very big dreams and goals. When we heard what was said to me and my family, we all said, ‘Okay, this is over now’! We believed that we would come to different places. I played in the U17 team. We came 2nd and lost in the finals. A year passed like this. After the Turkish Championship, I signed a professional contract. Abdullah Avci was the coach. There were big dreams. We went to the A Team. Of course, this is the first time I’ve reached that level. It was not what I expected! Not just in football! I don’t think that is currently the case.
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Hierarchy was like military service, it intimidated me
There was a huge hierarchy. In my opinion, there were periods of rank in the military. So ‘you are this, I am that, you will know your place. And you will not raise your voice no matter what.’ Even though I am small by nature, I cannot keep silent if injustice is done to me. I object or try to express myself with a sweet language. At that time, maybe because they had not seen such a thing, there was a sharp attitude towards me from football players. This really pissed me off. Then he said, “My God, please don’t let the ball touch my foot today. If it’s worth it, I’ll lose. I finished one year in Başakşehir so that they will hurt, they will behave badly and I will pass the training without the ball touching.
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How to treat a child like this?
A 16-17 year old football player trains with his head structure. And this is a boy you expect to achieve great things. How do you treat this football player and child? How old was Phil Foden in England? To Foden, an A team elder will shout, “Why are you losing this ball?” He will tear off his own vest, punch the wall, curse you for losing the ball, come to your side and threaten you. Is this possible? It is possible here. We need to wrap ourselves in cotton balls like Arda Güler, Emirhan and our youth are treated in Turkish football right now. Because they are a value. Names that can represent us in Europe for maybe 10-15 or even 20 years.
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Arda-Emirhan will be very successful
I am very happy when I see young people right now. They had an incredible career start. And they get this experience at this age. Maybe in the future, they will move forward much more confidently with that self-confidence. I had this self-confidence at the age of 23. Those brothers and sisters had the chance to have that self-confidence at the age of 17. How blissful. Now the comparisons etc. they are writing. I don’t compare myself to those younger siblings. I believe they will be much more successful than me. His Arda and Emirhan are much more talented.”
WE FEEL GUEST AT THE LEAVE OF FATIH HOCAN
“We were in charge of the coach, he seemed to be in charge, but as players on the field, we were all aware that the responsibility was actually ours. Those who give the performance on the field are the players who have a say in the emergence of these results. This year has been a failure. But we should not blame this only on Fatih teacher.”
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· Fatih Term‘s dismissal surprised you and how did you feel?
As players, we were not satisfied with the situation. We have been working hard as football players to correct this trend. Of course, we did not expect such a thing! It’s sudden news. At that time, we didn’t know how to move forward. We were in charge of the coach, he seemed to be in charge, but we were all aware that as the players on the field, we were actually responsible. In this respect, we felt guilty as a team after Fatih teacher was dismissed. Because those who give the performance on the field are the players who have a say in the emergence of these results.
WE ARE SO SADDED TO LEFT
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We are very sad. Because it is Fatih Terim who brought me to Galatasaray. It is Fatih teacher who gives me that self-confidence and trust. It’s different for me. He has supported me even in difficult times. On the field, he is Fatih teacher who instills the self-confidence you ask. It gave me freedom on the field. It is Fatih teacher who trusts what I can do, my character and ability and instills that self-confidence. His place for me is special and different. What they do in Turkish football never ends. Fatih coach’s contribution to Turkish football is very special and different. This year has been a failure. But this should not be attributed only to Fatih teacher.
2-1 FENERBAHÇE MATCH IS SUITABLE FOR ME
“We played very well. We missed the win. Maybe we would have won if we had given that canceled goal. Which I say everywhere; I think that position was gold. With a score of 2-1, we could have won the match if we had taken the lead.”
· What is your best game this season? We lost 2-1 at NEF Stadium Fenerbahce match! I think it’s the best game I’ve played. That match is a wound in me. Because we played very well. We missed the win. Maybe we would have won if we had given that canceled goal. Which I say everywhere; I think that position was gold. If we had gone 2-1 we would have won.
WE CAN’T SAY ‘FROM THE REFEREE’
Referee errors were discussed a lot. In this context, do you think your right has been defeated?
I’m not a person who likes to talk about referees. But of course, from time to time, you react when you are wronged. There have been problems and injustices against every team this year. There are many matches against us. It was a game where we lost our lives because of too many referee mistakes. But of course, we can’t just say, ‘We are in this situation because of the mistakes of the referees’ and get out of it. That would be easy. In the current situation, the biggest responsible is Fatih teacher or Torrent neither! We are the players on the field!
SUMMARY OF THE YEAR: LOSS OF CONFIDENCE
We were working hard, but we couldn’t do what we wanted as a team due to the loss of self-confidence. Because no matter how eager you are, you can confidently cross the limits of what you can do. You can’t be very efficient on the field when you lose him. I can say that the biggest summary of this year for us is ‘loss of self-confidence’.
WHEN I SEE THE LOWEST, I DECIDED TO LEFT FOOTBALL BY DON’T GET DAILY
I am happy when I hear the news about Europe. Because I was playing in the 3rd League 2 years ago. I became a professional in Başakşehir when I was 16 years old. My career entered the upward momentum and hit rock bottom. I’ve seen the bottom. After that, I got desperate and decided to quit football. Because I had a lot of bad experiences. After them, my dreams of Europe once again blossoming in my heart motivates me a lot.
WHOM I TALKED TO SAY ‘DO NOT BROKEN THE TEAM’
At that time, Başakşehir was going very well. I tried to speak. But whoever I talked to, I got the answer, “Don’t mess with the team”. And that period was sadly lost for me. I talk to young players right away. Because I see myself in them.”
I PLAYED THE POSITION AT THE BARÇA MATCH MANY TIMES IN MY HEAD
· You were very close to the goal at Camp Nou. Have you ever played that position in your head?
I watched that position too much. Maybe if I touched the ball one more time, I could pass that floating Barcelona player and hit the ball very easily. I played that game in my head too much. Every day I thought we could go through the tour anyway, what could I do. I actually think a lot after the matches. When I go home after the match is over, I watch the whole thing without sleeping. I do my own analysis, and when I come to training the next day, I watch the match. I know what the teacher told me. I am trying to improve myself.
I’m not offended by SENOL GÜNEŞ
· Do you have a grudge against Şenol Güneş?
It’s not disappointment! Şenol teacher is a teacher who has achieved and added very important things for the football of this country. Of course it was a failure. From there, it is everyone’s fault as a team from A to Z. Maybe we’re guilty too, even though we didn’t play. If there is a failure, I don’t think it’s right to break it down to just a few names. Of course, every football player wants to play. I would love too. But I don’t want to call it resentment.
I DID NOT EXPECT TO HAVE A HIGH SEASON IN THIS WAY
· You are having a completely different season this year…
At the beginning of the season, I predicted that this year would be more difficult and intense. But of course, I did not think that I would have such a long season. in Europe, National teamPlaying in the league for a long time is both tiring and enjoyable. People’s trust, expectations and emotions motivate me every time I play. Fortunately, the season is long and difficult, but it is also successful. In that sense, I am very happy.
HAYÂLiM PREMiR LiG
· Are you going to Europe?
The speakers are very nice, of course, but I have an ongoing contract! I can’t talk to any team unless my club approves those talks. Those issues are progressing independently of me. · Which league do you envision yourself in? Which league do you think is right for you?
My dream is of course the Premier League… I think it is the dream of all footballers. Because I really think it is the league where the most beautiful and the best football is played. But in terms of my own football Germany And I think the Spanish League is suitable for me. I think I can be successful if I can go there, God willing.
I WANTED TO PLAY WITH CRiSTANO RONALDO
· Do you have a dream to play with?
It could have been Ronaldo. But it would be difficult to play with him. A football player who always wants the ball to come to him. Maybe we didn’t get along well with him on the field.
PREFERRED KLOPP
· Klopp or Guardiola?
This is a very difficult question! I really like Klopp. I think the styles of the two are very different. I’ll call it Klopp in the current chart.
THE BEST RONALDO
· Your Messi mi Ronaldo?
Ronaldo… Everyone agrees that Messi is one of the most talented players in the world. But for me it’s Ronaldo. I consider Ronaldo the best player in the world because of what he has accomplished in every league.
I LIKE SALAH
· Who is the best in your position and who do you like?
Eden Hazard… I liked him a lot when he was Chelsea. His fall disappointed me. Right now it’s Salah. What they’ve accomplished is impressive. He went to Liverpool at the age of 26. Chelsea didn’t happen in Rome. He’s had a turbulent career. I liken it to my own career.
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