Football Season Guide

Basaksehir

In


Krzysztof Piatek (att) Hertha Berlin, Mehdi Abeid (mid) Khor Fakkan, Dimitrios Pelkas (mid) Fenerbahce, Nacer Chadli (mid) Westerlo – back from loan

Out


Muharrem Öner (def) Batman Petrol, Caner Erkin (def) Eyupspor, Emre Kaplan (def) Umranyespor, Muhammet Arslantas (att) Sanliurfaspor, Shaocong Wu (def) Genclerbirgi, Emre Karaal (mid) Anadoly, Bedirhan Özyurt (def) Akasarat, Ahmed Kutucu (att) Eyupspor, Francis Nzaba (def) Genclerbirligi, Alper Karaman (mid) no club, Lucas Biglia (sp) (mid) no club, Adnan Januzaj (r) (att) Sevilla -loan over

Basaksehir finished only 5th last season. Not too bad in terms of position but 16 points adrift from the 3rd spot. The main issues were on the road. At home won 12 of 18 league games. The away form was only average all campaign W6 D6 L6. Emre Belözoglu, appointed October 2021, remains in charge despite the shaky last season. The first few months of the new season will be vital for him. A slow start could see him sacked early. Basaksehir struggled to score enough goals last season. The signing of Krzysztof Piatek could help to improve things in attack. Also, veteran Okaka (33) will have to stay fit. He has been unable to do that in any of the last 3 years. Captain Mahmut Tekdemir will turn 36 in January. Still, he remains key figure in midfield. The only notable departure so far was that of winger Adnan Januzaj. Yet to find proper replacement for him. Serdar Gürler or the Pole Patryk Szysz could be trusted with the responsibility. Hopes are that countrymen Szysz and Piatek will build good chemistry up front.

Target


Will hope to close the gap on the top 3. Unlikely to challenge for the medals. Another top 6 finish more likely.