How 1. FC Köln want to keep the “irreplaceable” Salih Özcan

Steffen Baumgart: “Salih Özcan cannot be replaced at the moment”

With the home-grown team, FC turned a 2-0 deficit into victory, the decisive goal by Luca Kilian (22) was prepared by Özcan with a header. Coach Baumgart is reluctant to hand out individual praise, but can’t avoid it when it comes to his duel monster: “Salih has shown what kind of mentality and stability he has. He’s a big factor with his presence in the centre.”

In plain language: Özcan is one of the main reasons for Cologne’s upswing – and it should stay that way! The FC managers want to pull out all the stops in the coming weeks to bind the new national player (with a contract until 2023) in the long term.

Problem: The outstanding achievements of the six are of course not hidden from the financially stronger competition. Kessler expects offers: “Other clubs know how well he is on the road. There will definitely be desires. Salih has earned a lot of respect in the league.”

Kessler sees it the same way: “Salih is now using his potential, making good decisions, letting go of the ball earlier in one situation or another – also when pressed and talked to Steffen.”

Club Icons: Özcan should not only be one of many professionals at FC, but THE fixed point in the team. That is exactly what those responsible want to convey to him in the contract talks.

“Salih has every opportunity to become a cornerstone of the team and a face of the club in the long term. He embodies an awful lot of what defines FC,” says Kessler.

Copyright: Screenshot DAZN

Salih Özcan made his international debut for Turkey against Italy on March 29, 2022.

Baumgart the driving force on the sidelines, Özcan the leader on the field – the bosses can very well imagine that. “We can develop a lot here, and Salih can be a very important factor,” adds the ex-keeper.

After Jonas Hector (31) retired, Özcan could take over the captain’s armband, like the Saarlander going through thick and thin with the club. Very rare in the football business, but definitely possible thanks to Özcan’s FC gene!

Thomas Kessler: “In the end it’s just up to him”

But what if he chooses a different path? “Then we would have to develop the next player. In the future there will always be situations where you lose players. That would be a shame for Salih,” says Kessler – and now sees the ball above all in Özcan…

“Salih has to be clear about what he wants for his future. I wish he would think about it. In the end, it’s all up to him.” Talks are expected to intensify in the summer. Because one thing is also certain: FC cannot afford a free transfer after the end of the contract!

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