Samet Akaydin, who was loaned from Fenerbahçe to the Greek team Panathinaikos during the mid-term transfer period; He included remarkable statements in Hürriyet about his career, Fenerbahçe and Fatih Terim.
HERE IS THE INTERVIEW WITH THE FOOTBALL PLAYER:
-First of all, you were transferred to Fenerbahçe after your performance in Adana Demirspor. You had many suitors. Especially Jorge Jesus wanted you so much. Can you tell us a little about that process?
The January transfer period was a bit complicated, I received offers from three big clubs and from Europe, but the fact that Fenerbahçe and coach Jorge Jesus were very interested in me influenced my decision and I chose Fenerbahçe.
– There was a change before the season and İsmail Kartal replaced Jesus. Many new transfers joined the squad. After half a season you went to Greece. How did your transfer process to Panathinaikos develop?
I experienced injuries that I have never experienced before during pre-season training at Fenerbahçe. This situation set me back a bit. After overcoming the injuries, I made good use of the National Team break. Some things did not happen in Fenerbahçe, but these can happen to any player. Since my purpose in going to Panathinaikos was to be able to play regularly and get a chance to play in EURO 2024, I took permission from the club and wanted to leave. Of course, Fatih Terim’s presence and desire were very effective and everything is going very well now.
– How was Fatih Terim’s approach during the transfer process?
When I wanted to leave on loan during the break, I received offers from the Super League and Europe, but when Fatih Terim wanted me, I was very happy and wanted to go. I accepted Panathinaikos’ offer without hesitation and as a result, I am very happy here.
– Have you gotten used to Athens, how do you think it compares to Istanbul?
I don’t think Istanbul can be compared to any other city in the world, but Athens is a very beautiful and historical city, I explore it whenever I get the chance. The people are warm and friendly, we are very similar to each other, and the food is very good.
– I’m curious about the Greek League and the championship race. Unlike the Super League, there is a Play-Off system. What are your expectations for the rest of the season?
We are in a great competition at the top of the Greek Super League and I have great confidence in our team. We are a team with talented players, our communication is strong and there is a good atmosphere of friendship. We finished the league as leaders last season, but I think we missed the Championship in the last matches of the Play-Off period.
This season, we are entering the Play-Offs 4 points behind the leader, but I feel the strength and energy in the team. I believe that if we reflect our own game on the field in the first match on Sunday and start the away game with a victory against Olympiacos, we will get very good results in the rest. We want to become champions and end the 14-year championship longing of the club and our fans.
– The cup match where Fatih Terim evaluated you as a forward in your first match… Was this move talked about a lot in Turkey? Were you expecting such a task?
Actually, I had just joined the team and I was not going to play in that match, but we had a lot of injured players and we had no players left who could enter the game, Fatih coach talked about such a tactic and gave me the task. I tried to fulfill my duty well. It ended well, we eliminated Olympiakos on their home field. We are currently in the final of the Greek Cup and of course we want to win this cup too.
– This is your first time working with Fatih teacher. You definitely have the opportunity to observe in the locker room, off the field and during the match. What kind of coach is Terim?
He really has a very different aura. I already felt it in our first conversation with Fatih teacher. Their success is obvious. Fatih Terim is like a father. He is very experienced and I try to learn a lot from him. He listens to him with great seriousness and is a very strong human communicator. It creates great excitement for the football player.
– How did you feel when you were criticized? There were protests especially during the Trabzonspor match in the first half of the Super League. You remained calm, did not react. İrfan Can Kahveci is currently one of the indispensable players of Fenerbahçe. It has also been subjected to intense protests in recent seasons… This is also the case with other big teams. Can we get a general evaluation?
Criticisms… Every football player has periods like this, there are ups and downs. I never react to criticism from the media or fans, I respect everyone, but the dose of this is very important. I listen to constructive criticism. I am an emotional man. I’ve overcome everything so far, and I can overcome this too. Sometimes you get obsessed with it, whether you want it or not. Trabzonspor match was bad for me. We are football players and we are in a big community, naturally everyone has expectations, after all, it is normal to receive reactions when you perform poorly, even though this can be done by exaggerating and manipulating on social media. 1 match does not indicate whether a player is good or bad, and from time to time, the perception that I am a bad football player is created by exaggerating the mistakes he makes too many times, unfortunately, this is how social media works. I did not set my heart on our fans and the community. We are professional football players. These are behind us, hopefully everything will be better.
– What do you say about the championship race in Turkey this season? Who breasts the rope?
Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray have a head-to-head competition between very high-quality teams. I am a player of Fenerbahçe, of course my heart wants Fenerbahçe to be the Champion. I hope it ends well.
– I also want to ask about Arda Güler. He showed a great performance last season and went to Real Madrid, but he could not find the playing time he expected. You are one of those who follow your development most closely. What do you think about it?
Arda Güler is a great talent and a great pride for Turkish football. I like Arda very much, he is a very decent kid. He has recovered well after the injuries at the beginning of the season, his potential is clear, there is no need to talk about it. He is still very young and has many years ahead of him. He is a player who can overcome anything, he has talent, ambition and desire to work. I believe he will have the chance to play in Real Madrid. Our hearts go out to him.