Fatih Karagümrük’s 23-year-old captain Levent Mercan made special statements to Demirören News Agency (DHA) about the red-black team’s performance in the first half of the league, his career goals, his transition from midfield to left-back position, and the national team and EURO 2024.
Levent Mercan, who started his speech by touching on the situation of the red-black team in the league, said, “We are not in a very good position right now in terms of points, but I believe that we have good players. We want to return to the second half in the best way. We are a good team. We want to show this in terms of points.” spoke.
“I HAD A GOOD SEASON LAST YEAR”
Evaluating his performance in Fatih Karagümrük, Levent said, “I started playing in the last two seasons. I had a good season last year. This season is going well for me as well. I always try to give the best contribution to my team. I think I gave a good performance. I want to give my best performance.” “I’m trying to do my best for you,” he said.
“WE WILL GET BETTER RESULTS”
Stating that the new coach of the team, Shota Arveladze, has not had much time to adapt to the team yet, the left-back player said, “Alparslan Erdem was a good coach. Coach Shota did not have much time. He played two matches with us. We prepared for the matches in the best possible way. We tried to play well. “We gained time. I hope the team will integrate better in the second half. The coach will reflect the game he wants to the team. I think we will start the second half better. We will get better results,” he said.
“I THINK I AM A GOOD LEFT BACK”
Recalling that he first played at left back during the time of his former coach Andrea Pirlo, the 23-year-old football player said, “Previously, I played in the number 6 and 10 positions. I was a technical player. Now I am a technical left back. After improving my own performance, I think I am a good left back. Pirlo’s He contributed. We were practicing crosses and free kicks together. I was also practicing myself. Pirlo was one of the best free-kick takers. We learned something from him too. We are trying to reflect this on the field. I am better offensively. I can contribute. I support the attack with crosses, I have a place in the midfield. “I can take it. I have improved both defensively and in bilateral combat,” he said.
“OUR PRESIDENT WILL EVALUATE THE TRANSFER ISSUE”
Speaking about the transfer allegations against him, Levent Mercan, the captain of the red-black team, said, “I also hear that there are problems with the left back. I also hear it in other clubs. I am thinking about my team right now. As the captain, this would be the right thing to do. We are not in a good position in terms of points. We are not in a good position in terms of points in the second half. “I’m thinking about how best to start. Our president evaluates other things. I don’t discriminate between leagues. Karagümrük is important to me right now,” he said.
“I AM PROUD TO BE SELECTED IN THE NATIONAL TEAM”
Emphasizing that he aims to wear the crescent-star jersey, Levent Mercan continued his words as follows: “I would be proud to be selected for the national team. I think that if I continue my performance like this, I will be called up one day. I work and fight for this. Everyone has a goal. My goal is to be selected for the national team.”
“NATIONAL TEAM CAN LEAVE ITS MARK AT EURO 2024”
Stating that he wants to be in the candidate squad for the 2024 European Football Championship, which will be hosted by Germany between 14 June and 14 July, Levent Mercan said, “Of course, I would like to be there. Two of the matches to be played are at Dortmund’s stadium. I was born and raised there. The matches are an advantage for us. There are a lot of Turks. We saw it in Berlin. Everyone supports the Turkish national team. This could be an advantage for us. The matches will be played in Germany and there is a good team. The coach is also very good. The national team can leave its mark there. First “The target is to get out of the group. If this is achieved, the team’s future may be bright,” he said.
The left back of the red-black team stated that the offensive player who pushed himself the most in the league was Hakim Ziyech, who plays for Galatasaray, and concluded his words by saying, “We fought a lot one-on-one. He is a very fast and technical player. He pushed me a lot.”