Cihat Gökoğlan

The Turkcell Super Lig is back and already proving to be as exciting as ever. Already we have seen last season’s Champions Fenerbahce suffering a shock 2-0 defeat in the first match of the new term at promoted Istanbul BB and there will be plenty more unexpected results along the way.

All the usual suspects are expected to fight it out at the top of the table for the honour of being crowned Super Lig Champions next year. Last season saw Fenerbahce claim the title under the leadership of Brazilian legend Zico, probably best known as a coach for his spell in charge of Japan.

Galatasaray parted company with Eric Gerets and then shocked the football world by tempting the virtually retired 73 year old German Karl Heinz Feldkamp to take the hotseat. Feldkamp has bossed Galatasaray before and after finishing last season outside of the top two Champions League places, the Galatasaray board demand Champions League football for next term. Feldkamp better deliver.

Over at that other Istanbul club, the Black Eagles, Besiktas, changes have also been made on the bench. Even a 2nd place finish wasn’t enough to keep Jean Tigana in a job and a relatively inexperienced coach has been appointed in his place. Can Ertugrul Saglam provide the Super Lig title his supporters crave, or will he be collecting his P45 like Tigana at the end of the season?  Elsewhere Turkish football looks healthy and hopefully a challenger outside of the traditional big three of Istanbul (Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray) can emerge. Here we take a look at how the teams have strengthened over the summer months and what their prospects might be for this new campaign.

Fenerbahce

The Champions have lost key players in Tuncay, who has departed for the Premier League, International goalkeeper Rustu and Ozat but appear to have bought well enough to cover these losses. Star signing Roberto Carlos from Real Madrid has plenty of top level football left in him and would strengthen any team. One to watch out for could well be his compatriot Wenderson, who shone last year for capital side Ankaraspor. Sheffield United have provided forward Colin Kazim Richards, who, as a Turkish national, should be given more time to settle than a glitzy foreign import filling one of the all important 5 berths on the pitch.

Coach Zico has still not convinced everyone and his rotation policy for smaller league games can cause Fener to come unstuck at times. Overall though Fenerbahce ooze strength in depth and if Brazilian Alex hits form, could well stroll to another title.

Major Transfers In: Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Wenderson (Ankaraspor), Kazim Richards (Sheffield United), Parlak (Kayserispor)

Major Transfers Out: Tuncay (Middlesborough), Ozat (Koln), Rustu (Besiktas), Balci (Trabzonspor), Yozgatli (Besiktas)

Prediction: 1st 

Besiktas

Much improved performances in the second half of the season were not enough to save Jean Tigana and the ex-Monaco and Fulham coach departed Istanbul. Brought in to replace him is young coach Ertugrul Saglam who has a long association with the Black Eagles. Expectations remain as high as ever and only Champions League football will probably keep Ertugrul Saglam in place next season.

On the transfer front some useful players have arrived. Besiktas have raided the Champions Fenerbahce for forward Yozgatli and goalkeeper Rustu. Midfield general Cisse arrives from French club PSG after a disappointing season and Ligue 1 has also provided Diatta from St.Etienne. The players to watch though, should be South Americans Higuain and Tello who can light up the Super Lig.

Overall Besiktas have made some exciting signings and will certainly be much stronger than last term. When we consider the great second half of last season they enjoyed, this team should surely be in a position to really challenge for the title. The only question mark is over their young coach, plotting a league assault and competing in the Champions League will test him to the limit.

Major Transfers In: Rustu (Fenerbahce), Yozgatli (Fenerbahce), Cisse (PSG), Diatta (St.Etienne), Higuain (River Plate), Tello (Sporting Lisbon)

Major Transfers Out: Kleberson (Santos), Runje (Lens), Ramazan (Ankaraspor)

Prediction: 3rd

Galatasaray

The hiring of 73 year old former boss Karl Heinz Feldkamp tells you all you need to know about the desperation of the Ali Sami Yen side. Feldkamp will have his work cut out delivering at a club that, without Champions League football this term, demand the Super Lig title.

Summer signings look promising and Feldkamp pulled off a real coup in getting one of the most talented players in the Bundesliga, Lincoln, to swap Schalke for Galatasaray. Ex-Everton midfielder Linderoth should add bite to the midfield and protect a defence that still makes too many mistakes and that boasts inconsistent Cameroonian Rigobert Song at its heart. 

Feldkamp has stated in the media that he feels more players needed to arrive and this speaks of the fact that many of the current crop do not have his full trust. Whether the 73 year old will be allowed to plan for the future however, will depend on what he can do with what he’s got in the here and now. The lack of Champions League football will help Galatasaray concentrate on the Super Lig but will this help enough for them to claim the title? The jury is still out.

Major Transfers In: Lincoln (Schalke), Linderoth (Copenhagen), Servet (Sivasspor), Bouzid (Kaiserlautern)

Major Transfers Out: Mondragon (Koln), Inamoto (Frankfurt), Ilic (Salzburg), Tomas (Rubin Kazan), Kabze (Rubin Kazan)

Prediction: 2nd

Trabzonspor

Trabzonspor are seen by many as the only side outside Istanbul who can break the monopoly of the big three. Ziya Dogan came back as coach last season and the club improved dramatically to rescue what was looking like a disastrous season, eventually finishing 4th. Whether participation in the InterToto Cup will have a beneficial effect (fitter players at the beginning of the season) or a negative one (burnout towards the end) remains to be seen.

Trabzonspor should, in theory have the components to make a very dangerous team. Ziya Dogan is known for making tight defences and players like Gokdeniz, Ceyhun and Yattara are fast and effective on the counter attack.

On the transfer front, International centre-back Tolga has been brought back from Ukrainian football, albeit only on loan, and quick Balci arrives from Champions Fenerbahce.

Trabzonspor should be a very effective counter attacking unit and setting up this way should give them a good chance of beating the Istanbul big boys. Problems may arise when they have to dictate games, especially at home against weaker opposition.

Major Transfers In: Tolga (Shakhtar Donetsk LOAN), Balci (Fenerbahce)

Major Transfers Out: Stepanov (Porto), Djokaj (Freiburg)

Prediction: 4th

Kayserispor

Kayserispor will be much changed from the team that caused so many others problems last term. Firstly, Coach Ertugrul Saglam has departed for Besikitas, along with a plethora of loan players. The new coach is Tolunay Kafkas, relatively inexperienced apart from a spell as assistant coach at Austrian club Pasching and it remains to be seen how he will cope with the top job in the pressure cooker that is the Super Lig.

Major Transfers In: Avedano (Argentinos Juniors), Durmus Bayram (Schalke), Camdali (Leverkusen)

Major Transfers Out: Parlak (Fenerbache), Tayfun (Trabzonspor, end of loan) Ucar (Galatasaray, end of loan), Ozcan (Galatasaray, end of loan)

Prediction: 11th

Genclerbirligi

Much has changed in the past few years for the club from the capital Ankara. Under Ersun Yanal the team were a real force, losing unluckily in the UEFA Cup Quarter Finals against Valencia in extra-time in Spain. Yanal was back briefly this summer, but resigned after complaining of interference in transfer policy. Nigerian wonderkid Isaac Promise has had his problems and not shone up front, so the team will look to Okan Ozturk for that extra quality in the frontline.

Major Transfers In: Petkovic (Vojvodina), Carle (Newcastle Jets), Kahe (Monchengladbach), Umut Gundogan (Anderlecht)

Major Transfers Out: Haminu (Lokomotiv Moscow) Akyel (Ankaragucu)

Prediction: 8h

 

Sivasspor

Sivasspor still have a shaky defence and the departure of Servet will not improve things. Fortunately for them they have retained quick forwards Mehmet Yildiz and Pini Balili and so should convert enough chances to be well clear of relegation worries.

Major Transfers In: Dialo (Lokeren), Gurbanov (Hazar Lankaran)

Major Transfers Out: Servet (Galatasaray), Cem (Ankaragucu, Gurhan Gursoy (Fenerbahce)

Prediction: 10th

 

Ankaraspor BB

Ankaraspor have lost key player Wenderson to Fenerbahce and his loss will be keenly felt. Nevertheless, the squad is made up of young players eager to impress. Ankaraspor drew too many matches last season and it is essential that they take advantage of their home games as much as possible. Former Trabzonspor striker Mehmet Yilmaz will be key to this.

Major Transfers In: Tevfik Kose (Leverkusen), Ramazan (Besiktas), Tayfur Turkmen (Konyaspor)

Major Transfers Out: Wenderson (Fenerbache), Petrous (Slovan Liberec) Hakan Arikan (Besiktas)

Prediction: 13th

 

Konyaspor

Last year’s 9th place finish was very creditable; however they will do very well to repeat that this season in the face of difficult circumstances. These come in the form of continuing financial problems with President Ahmet San complaining of a lack of fan support and a real lack of quality signings. Turkish league veteran Egyptian centre-back El Saka will need to be on top form to hold the defence together and well known forward Veysel will need to fire.

Unfortunately the signs do not look good for Konyaspor and a season of long hard slog lies ahead.

Major Transfers In: Veysel (Gaziantepspor), Akinci (Silkeborg), Da Silva (Maritimo)

Major Transfers Out: Tayfun Turkmen (Ankaraspor)

Prediction: 14th

 

Bursaspor

The club Romanian legend Georghe Hagi enjoyed a spell coaching remain a solid force in the Super Lig. At home Bursaspor are a force to be reckoned with and even the big three from Istanbul do not look forward to a visit to Bursa.

The key change for Bursaspor this season will be in the dugout in the shape of Bulent Korkmaz, who impressed so much at Kayseri Erciyespor despite their eventual relegation.

South African striker Collins Mbesuma arrived at Portsmouth in the Premier League with a big reputation, but never lived up to his promise. Bursaspor is a second chance for him and many in South Africa still believe he has what it takes to shine at the top level.

Bursaspor will be difficult to beat, Bulent Korkmaz will see to that, and expect to see at least one of the big boys beaten in Bursa this season.

Major Transfers In: Mbesuma (Portsmouth), Cihan (Galatasaray), Tum (Strasbourg)

Major Transfers Out: Omer (Gaziantepspor), Frasineanu (UTA Arad)

Prediction: 6th

 

Gaziantepspor

A side struggling to live up to the strength it had shown in previous seasons. The transfers that have been made are nothing to write home about and combined with the arrival of a new coach many of us are wondering what to expect. Judging by the squad it should be a season of lower mid-table anonymity.

Major Transfers In: Deumi (Thun), Ugur (Heerenveen), Omer (Bursaspor), Sedlak (Ruzomberok), Volkan (Ankaraspor)

Major Transfers Out: Krita (Ankaragucu), Goksel (Kasimpasa), Veysel (Konyaspor)

Prediction: 13th

 

Ankaragucu

Things weren’t easy for Ankaragucu last season, but if they can produce solid home form at the stadium they share with city rivals Genclerbirligi then a decent season is in the offing. New manager Peter Briegel knows how to build a team that’s tough to beat and it’s expected he’ll do just that.

Major Transfers In: Krita (Gaziantepspor), Faith Akyel (Genclerbirligi), Balaban (Aachen), Cem (Sivasspor), Said (Rizespor)

Major Transfers Out: Yordanov (released), Petkov (released), Tita (Ankaraspor), Sedat (Sivasspor)

Prediction: 5th

Manisaspor

Last season’s early table topping revelation fell away badly as the season progressed. Ex-Turkey coach Ersun Yanal left the club as the wheels came off, but the bulk of the squad that started so well is still there. Czech duo Lukas Zelenka and Filip Holosko will be key to Manisaspor’s fortunes this season and on their day they can still compete with any team in the country.

Major Transfers In: Dvornik (Ruzomberok)

Major Transfers Out: Souza (Botofogo), Fevzi (Malatyaspor), Burak (Konyaspor)

Prediction: 7th

 

Denizlispor

A tough season lies ahead for Denizlispor who have signed a host of mediocre players due to their financial problems. The squad looks weak, so much depends on these new arrivals and we should see well before Christmas whether or not they will be in a relegation scrap this term.

Major Transfers In: Zafer (Sakaryaspor), Santos (Rizespor), Santos Gomes (Tigres), Ufukhan (Trabzonspor)

Major Transfers Out: Serhat (Kayserispor), Nascimento (Istanbul BB), Erman (Kocaelispor)

Prediction: 17th

 

Caykur Rizespor

Rizespor have rung in the changes to such an extent not one part of the club has been spared. New President, new coach and lots of new players all add up to a season of transition. Amazingly, 22 players have left the club at the time of writing and 12 have arrived. Rizespor should struggle this season, especially early on with this many changes and the fear is that a bad start will set the tempo for the rest of the season.

Major Transfers In: Emre (Kayseri Erciyesspor), Gonzales (Deportivo Cali), Victoria (free agent), Rodriguez (Ituana), Ribero (Ituana), Gal (Hajduk Split), Turgay (Kassel)

Major Transfers Out: Zdravkov (retired), El Tabei (Zamalek), Araujo Santos (Denizlispor), Yasin (Fenerbache), Tolga (Genclerbirligi), Said (Ankaragucu), Ugur (Antalyaspor), Erhan (Ankaraspor), Eray (Sakaryaspor)

Prediction: 15th

 

Genclerbirligi Oftasspor

Newly promoted G.Oftasspor can be seen as a feeder club to city colleagues Gencerbirligi and their promotion to the Super Lig was something of a surprise. Despite the fact that they have many promising young players it will be difficult for them to retain their Super Lig status.

Major Transfers In: Recep (Fenerbache), Jevtic (Borac), Tozo (Genclerbirligi) Zafer (Genclerbirligi) Hakan Aslantas (Genclerbirligi.

Major Transfers Out: Doga (Eskisehirspor)

Prediction: 16th

 

Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor (BB)

Another newly promoted side, Istanbul BB have made some decent transfers particularly in defence. A good blend of youth and experience could see them defy the critics and survive well.

Major Transfers In: Kenan (Gaziantepspor), Tijkuzu (Rizespor), Gokhan (Rizespor), Evren (Samsunspor), Orteman (Boca Juniors), Adriano Nascimento (Denizlispor), Caner (Samsunspor)

Major Transfers Out: Volkan (Kartalspor), Ufuk (Antalyaspor), Cafercan (Orduspor)

Prediction: 9th

Kasimpasaspor

Kasimpasaspor are back in the Super Lig after a long absence and their passionate home support will be vital in helping them stay there. There have been no standout transfers with many unknown players arriving from overseas. Home form will be vital if they are to have a real chance of realising their supporters dreams of a second Super Lig season.

Major Transfers In: Yetkin Ali (Greuther Furth), Colibaly (Istres), Barbaros Barut (Essen), Moritz (Fluminese), Pereira (Vasco da Gama), Tehoue (FC Brussels), Askov (Silkeborg), Sinouh (AZ Alkmaar)

Major Transfers Out: Oprak Kemal (Giresunspor), Sezai Demircan (Giresunspor)

Prediction: 18th

Fenerbache remain the strongest side and if they don’t get distracted by their participation in the Champions League, should, retain the title. The battle for that second Champions League spot should be a lot closer and though Galatasaray have to been seen as the favourites, any one from them, Besiktas and Trabzonspor could take the runners up berth. Teams to watch could be Manisaspor and Ankaragucu, both of whom could spring a surprise. As with any top flight league, the promoted teams will have a difficult task but do have it within themselves to survive. Whatever happens, the Super Lig looks like it is gearing up for an exciting season.

Super Lig can be watched on Lig TV and on the internet where you can find some streams over the course of the season.