This is simply an awful coaching decision. Emre is arguably the most creative player on this Turkish team. He gained a reputation as a youngster on the forlorn footballing grounds of Zeytinburnuspor as a creative midfielder capable of taking on defenders. His dribbling probably ranks as his finest attribute. His left foot is also capable of blistering long range strikes unexpected from such a diminutive player. Though he has battled various injuries over the last few years, he is still the same player Pele ranked in his top 125 living footballers in 2004. Now 27, and in his prime age-wise, Emre should be allowed to be the creative catalyst for the Turks at Euro 2008.
Instead he is tucked away on the back line, where his attack-mindedness will only create holes in front of an already shoddy defense. Volkan, the starting Turkish keeper, is inconsistent. For Fenerbahçe this season, he had his moments of brilliance (the penalty shootout against Sevilla in the Round of 16 of the Champions League) and his moments of daft ineptitude (the rest of that game against Sevilla--two goals right through his hands). His howlers are as famous as his athleticism and shot-blocking abilities. The Turks have grown to accept him as their keeper, in the same way the French for years convinced themselves Fabien Barthez was their best bet between the posts. However, it is vital that his defense provides him the best possible cover. Emre is simply not the answer.
Fatih Terim needs to figure out how to correctly deploy his best weapon or he is going to quickly find himself back in Anatolia serving köfte at a rundown tea house.
1 comment:
Not Köfte!
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