Tuncay Sanli . a street soccer player and former Fenerbahce player from Sakarya, Turkey, finally making a impact in the premier league.
After scoring the fancy back heal goal and and playing better this season and being mentioned by Chelsea team is the talk of the town in England.
Recently he was future on Timesonline newspaper, where he spoke to reporter George Caulkin.
In this interview Tuncay talks about life and issues and playing for Boro team.
He told the reporter, he wants to finish playing football in Boro team and he watches a lot of Turkish Turkcell Super League matches on his free time on the
satellite from Turkey...
He also said he grew up watching Zidane and he talked about the differences between Turkey and England.
What I saw after reading this article on Timesonline, I think, TUncay's looking at world and football in general has changed!....
He found out that he has to work hard to get the success...
Overall I enjoyed this excellent piece by George Caulken........
Here is the article...............
Tuncay determined to live life to the full at Middlesbrough
George Caulkin
“My hero when I was growing up was Zinédine Zidane. When you watch him, it’s almost like seeing a really good film. You get a sense of thrill, expectation and anticipation. You always wanted to know what was going to happen next.” — Tuncay Sanli
To continue the cinematic theme, watching Middlesbrough’s Turkey striker summons up memories of the scene in Kes, where Mr Sugden, the half-deranged PE teacher, simultaneously referees, stars in and commentates on a school-field football match. As he dribbles past several awestruck, if faintly bemused, children before lobbing the goalkeeper, Tuncay struggled to smother his own sense of mischief.
If medals were awarded for effervescence, the 26-year-old would have few rivals for decoration. At a recent event to promote healthy living at the club’s community centre involving Garmin, the Middlesbrough kit sponsor, Tuncay was breathless and dripping with perspiration; he is not on Teesside to see out his contract.
The difference between Tuncay and Brian Glover’s appalling, mesmeric character is a wide grin and wholesome motives. In keeping with most of his team-mates, he has thrust himself into the local initiatives that are part of Middlesbrough’s identity.
This one was held in South Bank, where Wilf Mannion grew up, an area of genuine deprivation. “There are lots of similarities between my home and Middlesbrough,” Tuncay, who originates from Sakarya in Turkey, said. “There are poor parts of Middlesbrough, but I was a poor boy myself. I know what it’s like to come from a family which has to work hard to get by. I feel at home in this environment. It’s where football is most important.”
The message and its tone were uplifting, along with the dynamism that Tuncay has brought to Gareth Southgate’s team, who face Arsenal at home today, since his free transfer from Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2007. Nicknamed Cesur Yurek — Braveheart — at his former club, he has grown in influence at the Riverside Stadium; Chelsea have been linked with an £8 million bid.
“I live life with a smile on my face,” he said. “What else can you do? If you don’t smile, you’re bound to get distressed. You have to see good things in life. Otherwise, what’s the point of being here? I don’t have time for being sad. It doesn’t matter what country you’re in — a little smile can make a lot of difference.”
It almost passed him by. “My career started by mistake, because I didn’t have a background of playing in youth teams,” he said. “I was an ordinary kid who played in the streets. If I hadn’t been seen by an amateur coach in an indoor match I would probably have started a job the following year and never played again. It was that close.
“It’s still very difficult for a young boy in Turkey to get the opportunity to make it and I never really realised I was good enough to be spotted. You never think that way when you are little, but maybe that made me even more determined to make it when the opportunity arose. By that stage, I knew it was my only chance.”
His parents wavered. “They wanted me to stay at school, get qualifications, learn a trade,” Tuncay said. “They wanted the best for me, but it took some nagging before they relented.”
What other profession might have beckoned? “Maybe I would have become a runner. It’s the only thing I’m good at. I was always bound to run somewhere.” But he is happy to have come to rest at Middlesbrough. “I have seen quite a bit of the area,” he said. “I’ve been to Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds. I like Hartlepool Marina. There’s a nice Turkish restaurant in Redcar and I’ve taken my family there when they’ve come over. The people who run it have been here for 16 years and are good people.
“I can’t get over how punctual the English are. I’ve never known anyone be late. Even taxi drivers. If you call a taxi and they say, ‘I’ll be there in ten minutes’, they’ll be there. That doesn’t happen in Turkey.”
Free time is spent keeping track of Turkish football on satellite television, while “DVD box sets — 24, Prison Break — have been brilliant for me. Sometimes I spend half a day watching one.” Christmas will be enlivened by the visit of his two sisters and their children. “My biggest aim is to be able to compete in European football as a Middlesbrough player,” he said. If he achieves his goal, he will certainly have a smile on his face.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/middlesbrough/article5333207.ece
Saturday, December 13, 2008
TRABZONSPOR GOES DOWN!,,,,
Trabzonspor not only go down against Bursaspor they also went down in the standings too!...
It might be only Saturday in the Turkcell Super League but before even Sunday's matche we know one think, Turkcell Super league top team is not Trabzonspor.
Trabzonspor went down in the last minutes of the match in Bursa on Saturday.
Bursaspor scored the winning and their second goal by young striker Sercan Yildirim.
That is the kid, that Sir Alex Ferguson has his eyes on....
While Trabzonspor was playing away match, the other top contender Sivaspor, was at home, against the leagues bottom team Hacettepe. Herve Tum scored the both goals for Sivasspor. Sivaspor second goal came in the late minutes of the match too!..
In the other early day match, on Saturday, Kayserispor beat Istanbulspor BB at home 2-0.
On Saturday, last match played in Istanbul....
Besiktas beat Ankaragucu with only one goal...
Thanks to Holosko!........
Mert Nobre missed a lot of goals in this match...
This was the first match that we saw Slovikian star in the first eleven since Eskisehirspor where he scored one and assist too..
Finaly Besiktas coach seen the light and did the right thing!........
But, that cost him the top spot in my opinion...
Because, against Fenerbahce, Mustafa Denizli made a huge mistake not starting Holosko in the match....
That is why Besiktas, now is on forth place with 28 points behind Galatasaray Trabzonspor ,Sivaspor and could be behind Fenerbahce and Ankaraspor if they win their match on Sunday....
This was very important win for Besiktas.....
On Friday, Galatasaray beat another Ankara team Genclerbirligi in Ankara 3-1 with first half goals...
Galatasaray first time this season captured the second place on Friday and went down to third after Saturday matches.
We know one think, Sivaspor will be on top with 31 points, at the end of the fifteen week....
Trabzonspor will be on second with same points and Galatasaray will hold on the third place with 30 points.
In the last week, before the brake, Galatasaray will face Besiktas in Istanbul.
Sivsspor will be away in Ankara against Genclerbirligi and Trabzonspor will be at home against Eskisehirspor.
So, the race for the top is getting hot...
Who will close the first half of the season as a leader, in the Turkcell Super League?.....
AHMET TURGUT
It might be only Saturday in the Turkcell Super League but before even Sunday's matche we know one think, Turkcell Super league top team is not Trabzonspor.
Trabzonspor went down in the last minutes of the match in Bursa on Saturday.
Bursaspor scored the winning and their second goal by young striker Sercan Yildirim.
That is the kid, that Sir Alex Ferguson has his eyes on....
While Trabzonspor was playing away match, the other top contender Sivaspor, was at home, against the leagues bottom team Hacettepe. Herve Tum scored the both goals for Sivasspor. Sivaspor second goal came in the late minutes of the match too!..
In the other early day match, on Saturday, Kayserispor beat Istanbulspor BB at home 2-0.
On Saturday, last match played in Istanbul....
Besiktas beat Ankaragucu with only one goal...
Thanks to Holosko!........
Mert Nobre missed a lot of goals in this match...
This was the first match that we saw Slovikian star in the first eleven since Eskisehirspor where he scored one and assist too..
Finaly Besiktas coach seen the light and did the right thing!........
But, that cost him the top spot in my opinion...
Because, against Fenerbahce, Mustafa Denizli made a huge mistake not starting Holosko in the match....
That is why Besiktas, now is on forth place with 28 points behind Galatasaray Trabzonspor ,Sivaspor and could be behind Fenerbahce and Ankaraspor if they win their match on Sunday....
This was very important win for Besiktas.....
On Friday, Galatasaray beat another Ankara team Genclerbirligi in Ankara 3-1 with first half goals...
Galatasaray first time this season captured the second place on Friday and went down to third after Saturday matches.
We know one think, Sivaspor will be on top with 31 points, at the end of the fifteen week....
Trabzonspor will be on second with same points and Galatasaray will hold on the third place with 30 points.
In the last week, before the brake, Galatasaray will face Besiktas in Istanbul.
Sivsspor will be away in Ankara against Genclerbirligi and Trabzonspor will be at home against Eskisehirspor.
So, the race for the top is getting hot...
Who will close the first half of the season as a leader, in the Turkcell Super League?.....
AHMET TURGUT
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
THE EUROPEAN DREAM IS OVER FOR FENERBAHCE!
THE EUROPEAN DREAM IS OVER FOR FENERBAHCE!
Turkey's Fenerbahce team says good bye to Champion League and the European dream to after losing against Dynomo Kiev 1-0 in Kiev.
They're UEFA CUP dream is over too!...
The UEFA CUP final match will be played at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium .
Turkey's another team Galatasaray who is still in the UEFA CUP will have a chance to bring the UEFA CUP one more time , this time in Turkey and In Fenerbahce's Stadium.
That is if , they make it to the finals!....
The Matches only goal came in the 20th minute by Roman Eremenko .
Dynamo Kiev: 31-Stanislav Bogush; 3-Betao, 15-Pape Diakhate, 17-Taras Mikhalik, 26-Andriy Nesmachniy; 4-Tiberiu Ghioane, 5-Ognjen Vukojevic, 19-Florin Cernat, 11-Roman Eremenko; 10-Ismael Bangoura, 25-Artem Milevskiy
Fenerbahce: 1-Volkan Demirel; 77-Gokhan Gonul, 4-Edu, 2-Lugano, 3-Roberto Carlos; 21-SelcukSahin, 16-Josico; 99-Deivid, 10-Alex, 25-Ugur Boral; 14-Daniel Guiza
Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany)
Turkey's Fenerbahce team says good bye to Champion League and the European dream to after losing against Dynomo Kiev 1-0 in Kiev.
They're UEFA CUP dream is over too!...
The UEFA CUP final match will be played at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium .
Turkey's another team Galatasaray who is still in the UEFA CUP will have a chance to bring the UEFA CUP one more time , this time in Turkey and In Fenerbahce's Stadium.
That is if , they make it to the finals!....
The Matches only goal came in the 20th minute by Roman Eremenko .
Dynamo Kiev: 31-Stanislav Bogush; 3-Betao, 15-Pape Diakhate, 17-Taras Mikhalik, 26-Andriy Nesmachniy; 4-Tiberiu Ghioane, 5-Ognjen Vukojevic, 19-Florin Cernat, 11-Roman Eremenko; 10-Ismael Bangoura, 25-Artem Milevskiy
Fenerbahce: 1-Volkan Demirel; 77-Gokhan Gonul, 4-Edu, 2-Lugano, 3-Roberto Carlos; 21-SelcukSahin, 16-Josico; 99-Deivid, 10-Alex, 25-Ugur Boral; 14-Daniel Guiza
Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany)
IT IS TO BE OR NOT TO BE TIME FOR FENERBAHCE!...
Fenerbahce travel to Dynamo Kiev with an extra incentive as both do battle to keep their European dreams alive.
Neither side have a hope of reaching the Champions League knockout stages, with Arsenal and Porto already having clinched the two Group G spots, but both will be hoping their final game in the competition is not their last in Europe.
Dynamo have a three-point advantage over Fenerbache and only need to avoid defeat to progress to the UEFA Cup, something their opponents will achieve with victory at the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium.
The final is set to be held at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium and the Turkish side would love nothing more than to lift the trophy on their own turf on May 20.
Moreover, if they reach the final, reports suggest they will net two million dollars.
After a stumbling start to the season Fenerbahce have started to come into their own and are now unbeaten in eight games domestically.
Coach Luis Aragones has given a rallying call to his troops to transfer that form into Europe.
Turkish newspaper Fotomac reveal he told his players: "In the league we have reached the point we wanted to.
"We have to continue on our path in Europe and if we win the game in Kiev, the path will remain open.
"From this moment on we have to bare our teeth.''
Alex played at the weekend despite suffering a fever and remains a doubt for the clash.
He has nevertheless urged his team-mates pull out all the stops to take the three points because "it is a good way of redeeming ourselves for the bad start to the season''.
Onder Turacy is also a doubt for the game, with Tumer Metin, Semih Senturk and Emre Belozoolu definitely out.
Fenerbahce have not won away from home in the Champions League for four years but even more remarkably that is the last time - to the day - that Dynamo won at home in the competition.
All signs indicate the game will end in a draw, as the first match between the pair did, and that would suit Dynamo coach Yuriy Semin to a tee.
"Any result that allows us to entry into the UEFA Cup round of 32 will be positive for us,'' he said. "I can only say that the main success criteria are based on a balanced game and patience.''
Semin insists he is proud of his team whatever happens.
"First of all, I feel like we have a real team,'' he said. "Our players had a great chance to gain valuable experience playing against strong rivals.
"Undoubtedly, we committed some mistakes and that cost us a lot of problems. But it was a good trial for the team.
"We had a great chance to compete with the top European teams and oppose major footballers stars. Nevertheless, I think we looked pretty good.''
Indeed Dynamo could have even done better had extremely late goals not seen them draw and lose to Arsenal, and lose to Porto.
Semin will be missing a host of players with Ayila Yussuf, Artem Kravets, Milos Ninkovic, Olexandr Romanchuk, Badr El Kaddouri, Oleksandr Aliyev, Oleh Husyev and Maksim Shatskikh all injured.
Neither side have a hope of reaching the Champions League knockout stages, with Arsenal and Porto already having clinched the two Group G spots, but both will be hoping their final game in the competition is not their last in Europe.
Dynamo have a three-point advantage over Fenerbache and only need to avoid defeat to progress to the UEFA Cup, something their opponents will achieve with victory at the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium.
The final is set to be held at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium and the Turkish side would love nothing more than to lift the trophy on their own turf on May 20.
Moreover, if they reach the final, reports suggest they will net two million dollars.
After a stumbling start to the season Fenerbahce have started to come into their own and are now unbeaten in eight games domestically.
Coach Luis Aragones has given a rallying call to his troops to transfer that form into Europe.
Turkish newspaper Fotomac reveal he told his players: "In the league we have reached the point we wanted to.
"We have to continue on our path in Europe and if we win the game in Kiev, the path will remain open.
"From this moment on we have to bare our teeth.''
Alex played at the weekend despite suffering a fever and remains a doubt for the clash.
He has nevertheless urged his team-mates pull out all the stops to take the three points because "it is a good way of redeeming ourselves for the bad start to the season''.
Onder Turacy is also a doubt for the game, with Tumer Metin, Semih Senturk and Emre Belozoolu definitely out.
Fenerbahce have not won away from home in the Champions League for four years but even more remarkably that is the last time - to the day - that Dynamo won at home in the competition.
All signs indicate the game will end in a draw, as the first match between the pair did, and that would suit Dynamo coach Yuriy Semin to a tee.
"Any result that allows us to entry into the UEFA Cup round of 32 will be positive for us,'' he said. "I can only say that the main success criteria are based on a balanced game and patience.''
Semin insists he is proud of his team whatever happens.
"First of all, I feel like we have a real team,'' he said. "Our players had a great chance to gain valuable experience playing against strong rivals.
"Undoubtedly, we committed some mistakes and that cost us a lot of problems. But it was a good trial for the team.
"We had a great chance to compete with the top European teams and oppose major footballers stars. Nevertheless, I think we looked pretty good.''
Indeed Dynamo could have even done better had extremely late goals not seen them draw and lose to Arsenal, and lose to Porto.
Semin will be missing a host of players with Ayila Yussuf, Artem Kravets, Milos Ninkovic, Olexandr Romanchuk, Badr El Kaddouri, Oleksandr Aliyev, Oleh Husyev and Maksim Shatskikh all injured.
CHELSEA AFTER TUNCAY SANLI!....
Acccording to report from the wires Chelsea are planning an £8 million New Year raid on Middlesbrough for Turkish international striker Tuncay Sanli.
Chelsea Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's Premier League scouts have identified the former Fenerbahce idol as one of their main targets for the January transfer window.
Scolari has been looking for a striker who is capable of playing upfront and in the hole in his line-up and Tuncay, who was signed from Fenerbahce on a free transfer in the summer of 2007, fits the bill after an impressive spell at the Riverside this season.
Tuncay has four goals this season, including a neat back-flick in last week's defeat at Hull, it is on international duty that Tuncay has really caught the eye of the Chelsea scouting team.
Friday, December 5, 2008
UEFA: Alex eyes UEFA Cup spot in Kiev
Fenerbahçe SK midfielder Alex took a break from preparations for his team's UEFA Champions League tie at FC Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday to come into the Talk Football chatroom and answer questions put to him by uefa.com users from around the globe. The Brazilian emphasised the importance of the match in Ukraine, which will see his side clinch a place in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 should they win, while also giving an insight into his life in Turkey.
The next UEFA Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv is a must win in order to get into the UEFA Cup. What will your mentality be before such a crucial match? Canbek Alakay, New Jersey, USA
Alex: It's a very, very important game for us. It's important that Fenerbahçe keep playing in Europe and there is an interesting angle – the UEFA Cup final will be played in our home stadium this year. So, it's a good chance for us to recover from the slow start we've had this season.
How do you like working under new coach Luis Aragonés? Patrick Gouveia
Alex: I really like Luis. I've never worked with a coach who is so interested in football. He knows about everything; you can never come and tell him news that he doesn't already know! He is aware of everything that is happening all around the world and I like it. Besides, he defends his players, no matter what. Yes, he is demanding. There are harsh reprimands and he gives a good scolding now and then. But this is all internal; it never leaks to the press.
What were your first impressions of the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium and what do you think of the Fenerbahçe fans? Mehmet Guzel
Alex: The first impression I had was when I arrived at the airport and there were 10,000 people there waiting for me. They are real fanatics; Fenerbahçe is above everything. As time goes by, it just gets bigger and bigger. They are the best fans in the world.
Your contract expires at the end of this season. What are your future plans? Hurol Emre Candan, Cairo, Egypt
Alex: We are talking about the extension of my current contract and the feeling is that I will stay at Fenerbahçe. This year I've had the most relaxed holidays of my life, nobody has come after me. Yes, if a big European club makes me an offer, then we will sit and analyse. But things have cooled off, I am not a youngster anymore and I am happy here.
What is your favourite Turkish food? Do you ever cook Turkish food and, if so, what? Aykut Sinanoglu, Chicago, USA
Alex: I don't have a favourite food. As long as it is not too spicy, I can eat anything. No, I've never cooked Turkish food. It is not my speciality and I don't like to mess in the kitchen!
In which club or country did you enjoy playing the most and why? Guney Serkan Cakmakli, Columbia, USA
Alex: If I had to choose a club, it wouldn't be fair on the others. But regarding 'where', I can honestly say there is no place on earth like our stadium. Fenerbahçe fans are the best I've ever seen.
As a huge fan living in Australia, I wake up for every game I possibly can. However, this year the results have been very mixed. Sometimes it is easy to blame the coach and sometimes it is easy to blame the players. Could you provide some insight into why Fenerbahçe have had such mixed results? Sabit Kozak, Sydney, Australia
Alex: After two years with Zico, a guy who used to chat a lot with all the players, we've had a change. Luis Aragonés is a different coach, he's got a different style and it takes time to adapt, for both him and the players. Now the hurricane has subsided and the results are starting to follow.
How would you compare the fans and players of Brazil and Turkey? Andaç Altan, Ankara, Turkey
Alex: Turkish fans are much better. They are noisier and they participate more throughout the game. There are good Brazilian supporters, but there are clubs whose supporters go to the football stadium as if they were going to the theatre. All Turkish fans are great, all around the country.
Which was your best match for Fenerbahçe? Kazim Can, Kocaeli, Turkey
Alex: I've played plenty of good matches. I remember I scored two goals last season at Beşiktaş and I had a good game against PSV Eindhoven two years ago, and also against CSKA Moskva in the last Champions League. I've played more than 200 games for Fenerbahçe now, so there have been many days when I went home knowing I had played really well.
Who is the best player you have played with and the best player you have played against in Turkey? Omar, USA
Alex: The best Turkish player I've played with is Semih Şentürk. The best that I've played against is Sergen [Yalçin], Beşiktaş's old No10.
I heard that you can speak Turkish a little bit. Was it hard to learn? Kemal Önen, Zurich, Switzerland
Alex: Well, I've never studied Turkish. I've promised the president that if we extend my contract, I will go to school and I'll definitely learn it! I understand almost everything, but speaking is quite hard. When I am with a group of friends, I try to speak some and I mix it with English and Spanish. But if I am not with friends, it's harder.
What do you think about the rivalry between Galatasaray AŞ and Fenerbahçe? Oguzhan Fidan, Berlin, Germany
Alex: It's a fierce rivalry, isn't it? Look, for me Corinthians against Palmeiras, back in Brazil, was something big. Because I felt it throughout the week, I could understand everything that was being said. Here, I am sure the rivalry is bigger. However, I don't feel it as I did in Brazil, simply because I am not Turkish.
Can Fenerbahçe win the Turkish Süper Lig? Can we get into the UEFA Cup and play in the final in our own stadium? luetfiye Yilmaz
Alex: Yes, I think we can do both. We are working towards that and things have started to work better for our side. Let's never forget that, although we did well in the last Champions League, the domestic league has always been and will always be our priority.
Some players play for one team but are in love with another club. Which team do you support? Which team excites you as a fan? Oguz Kubilay Han, Istanbul, Turkey
Alex: I support Coritiba, my first club. And there is no team that excites me more than any other. I like football, really. If I see a good game on TV, be it in the Brazilian league, the Spanish league or whatever, I will always stop and watch it.
What is your favourite playing system and which do you want to play? Ahmet Yavuz Metinoglu, Konya, Turkey
Alex: I like to play as a midfielder really close to the strikers. I have no preference in terms of systems.
Since you signed for the club a few years ago, have you noticed an improvement in your style of play and in Fenerbahçe's performances overall? Cathal Kearney, Bunclody, Ireland
Alex: I sure did. I have added lots of things to my game, to my style. You have to learn in order to improve. And Fenerbahçe have certainly got better during these years. You just have to look at our results to see that.
What does Fenerbahçe need most to be successful in European competition? Dinçer Özcan, Turkey
Alex: Fenerbahçe need more high-level players. Little by little, they have to improve the quality of the players. There is one policy that needs to be changed, in my opinion. Here they consider 24, 25-year-old players to be youngsters. For me, they should give more opportunities to boys who are 18, 19. They are really young. Then, when they are 24, 25, they will be peaking; they will be first-team regulars. That would be very helpful for the club and they would be stronger in Europe.
Alex was speaking to Julio Gomes Filho
Courtesy of UEFA.com
The next UEFA Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv is a must win in order to get into the UEFA Cup. What will your mentality be before such a crucial match? Canbek Alakay, New Jersey, USA
Alex: It's a very, very important game for us. It's important that Fenerbahçe keep playing in Europe and there is an interesting angle – the UEFA Cup final will be played in our home stadium this year. So, it's a good chance for us to recover from the slow start we've had this season.
How do you like working under new coach Luis Aragonés? Patrick Gouveia
Alex: I really like Luis. I've never worked with a coach who is so interested in football. He knows about everything; you can never come and tell him news that he doesn't already know! He is aware of everything that is happening all around the world and I like it. Besides, he defends his players, no matter what. Yes, he is demanding. There are harsh reprimands and he gives a good scolding now and then. But this is all internal; it never leaks to the press.
What were your first impressions of the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium and what do you think of the Fenerbahçe fans? Mehmet Guzel
Alex: The first impression I had was when I arrived at the airport and there were 10,000 people there waiting for me. They are real fanatics; Fenerbahçe is above everything. As time goes by, it just gets bigger and bigger. They are the best fans in the world.
Your contract expires at the end of this season. What are your future plans? Hurol Emre Candan, Cairo, Egypt
Alex: We are talking about the extension of my current contract and the feeling is that I will stay at Fenerbahçe. This year I've had the most relaxed holidays of my life, nobody has come after me. Yes, if a big European club makes me an offer, then we will sit and analyse. But things have cooled off, I am not a youngster anymore and I am happy here.
What is your favourite Turkish food? Do you ever cook Turkish food and, if so, what? Aykut Sinanoglu, Chicago, USA
Alex: I don't have a favourite food. As long as it is not too spicy, I can eat anything. No, I've never cooked Turkish food. It is not my speciality and I don't like to mess in the kitchen!
In which club or country did you enjoy playing the most and why? Guney Serkan Cakmakli, Columbia, USA
Alex: If I had to choose a club, it wouldn't be fair on the others. But regarding 'where', I can honestly say there is no place on earth like our stadium. Fenerbahçe fans are the best I've ever seen.
As a huge fan living in Australia, I wake up for every game I possibly can. However, this year the results have been very mixed. Sometimes it is easy to blame the coach and sometimes it is easy to blame the players. Could you provide some insight into why Fenerbahçe have had such mixed results? Sabit Kozak, Sydney, Australia
Alex: After two years with Zico, a guy who used to chat a lot with all the players, we've had a change. Luis Aragonés is a different coach, he's got a different style and it takes time to adapt, for both him and the players. Now the hurricane has subsided and the results are starting to follow.
How would you compare the fans and players of Brazil and Turkey? Andaç Altan, Ankara, Turkey
Alex: Turkish fans are much better. They are noisier and they participate more throughout the game. There are good Brazilian supporters, but there are clubs whose supporters go to the football stadium as if they were going to the theatre. All Turkish fans are great, all around the country.
Which was your best match for Fenerbahçe? Kazim Can, Kocaeli, Turkey
Alex: I've played plenty of good matches. I remember I scored two goals last season at Beşiktaş and I had a good game against PSV Eindhoven two years ago, and also against CSKA Moskva in the last Champions League. I've played more than 200 games for Fenerbahçe now, so there have been many days when I went home knowing I had played really well.
Who is the best player you have played with and the best player you have played against in Turkey? Omar, USA
Alex: The best Turkish player I've played with is Semih Şentürk. The best that I've played against is Sergen [Yalçin], Beşiktaş's old No10.
I heard that you can speak Turkish a little bit. Was it hard to learn? Kemal Önen, Zurich, Switzerland
Alex: Well, I've never studied Turkish. I've promised the president that if we extend my contract, I will go to school and I'll definitely learn it! I understand almost everything, but speaking is quite hard. When I am with a group of friends, I try to speak some and I mix it with English and Spanish. But if I am not with friends, it's harder.
What do you think about the rivalry between Galatasaray AŞ and Fenerbahçe? Oguzhan Fidan, Berlin, Germany
Alex: It's a fierce rivalry, isn't it? Look, for me Corinthians against Palmeiras, back in Brazil, was something big. Because I felt it throughout the week, I could understand everything that was being said. Here, I am sure the rivalry is bigger. However, I don't feel it as I did in Brazil, simply because I am not Turkish.
Can Fenerbahçe win the Turkish Süper Lig? Can we get into the UEFA Cup and play in the final in our own stadium? luetfiye Yilmaz
Alex: Yes, I think we can do both. We are working towards that and things have started to work better for our side. Let's never forget that, although we did well in the last Champions League, the domestic league has always been and will always be our priority.
Some players play for one team but are in love with another club. Which team do you support? Which team excites you as a fan? Oguz Kubilay Han, Istanbul, Turkey
Alex: I support Coritiba, my first club. And there is no team that excites me more than any other. I like football, really. If I see a good game on TV, be it in the Brazilian league, the Spanish league or whatever, I will always stop and watch it.
What is your favourite playing system and which do you want to play? Ahmet Yavuz Metinoglu, Konya, Turkey
Alex: I like to play as a midfielder really close to the strikers. I have no preference in terms of systems.
Since you signed for the club a few years ago, have you noticed an improvement in your style of play and in Fenerbahçe's performances overall? Cathal Kearney, Bunclody, Ireland
Alex: I sure did. I have added lots of things to my game, to my style. You have to learn in order to improve. And Fenerbahçe have certainly got better during these years. You just have to look at our results to see that.
What does Fenerbahçe need most to be successful in European competition? Dinçer Özcan, Turkey
Alex: Fenerbahçe need more high-level players. Little by little, they have to improve the quality of the players. There is one policy that needs to be changed, in my opinion. Here they consider 24, 25-year-old players to be youngsters. For me, they should give more opportunities to boys who are 18, 19. They are really young. Then, when they are 24, 25, they will be peaking; they will be first-team regulars. That would be very helpful for the club and they would be stronger in Europe.
Alex was speaking to Julio Gomes Filho
Courtesy of UEFA.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)