Beşiktaş team captain Orkun Kökçü made a statement to beIN SPORTS before the Fenerbahçe derby, which they will play in Kadıköy on Sunday. While the star football player used striking expressions about the Kosovo match played in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers and the derby they will play at the weekend, he also spoke with complimentary expressions about the coach Sergen Yalçın. The highlights of Orkun’s statements are as follows:
“IT IS PROUD TO BE BEŞİKTAŞ CAPTAIN”
“Being the captain of Beşiktaş is very proud for both me and my family. I grew up with legends like Sergen Yalçın and Şifo Mehmet. My uncles always told me about it. I was very excited when he became my coach. I believed that I would definitely pick up something. And it happened. My coach Sergen cares about me very much. There are people writing here and there that we are on bad terms with coach Sergen. Such a thing has never happened, it can never happen. We are on very good terms.”
“I LEFT MY MIND AFTER THE FENERBAHÇE MATCH”
“When I came to Beşiktaş, I wanted to repay the love felt for me. However, I could not do it right at first. I was very ambitious and tried to do extra work. That is why I could not adapt. After the Fenerbahçe match, I cleared my mind. I solved this within myself.”
“I LOVE MY TEACHER SERGEN VERY MUCH”
“When there were criticisms when I first arrived, my coach Sergen called me into the room and talked to me. He said, ‘Don’t worry about what is written’. If you do, you won’t be able to give the performance you want anyway. Because my coach Sergen doesn’t care either. He told me about his experiences during his time. He made me feel at ease. It is very comforting to hear the experiences of a legendary player. You can understand what you will face. He took care of me a lot after the Fenerbahçe match. I love my coach Sergen very much.”
ABOUT THE GOAL IN THE KOSOVO MATCH
-“Kerem touched the ball you shot at the last moment. Did you discuss this position after the match?”
Orkun Kökçü: “We talked a little after the goal. The arc went very differently. The field was also a little bad, it bounced. I mean, since the ball was spinning, I said to myself, ‘Maybe if Kerem hadn’t touched it, it would have hit the post,’ but there’s no need to risk it. After all, we all want to go to the World Cup. Kerem touched it, the only thing I suspected was offside. It didn’t matter who scored. I wouldn’t get angry in such a situation. I just asked Kerem, ‘Were you offside? That’s all.’ “
“FENERBAHÇE IS A QUALITY TEAM”
“Derbies are difficult matches. The opponent is also of high quality. Each match has a different story. Whoever wants it more will be the one who wins the match. Your fight, quality and performance are very important. It is valid for both sides. Such matches are more enjoyable because we do not know before the match. So we are waiting.”
