Orkun Cannot Replace Hakan on the Pitch

What kind of football identity Sergen Yalçın wants to give Turkey's A National Team is the most debated topic since the first match. It is stressed that the evaluation should be based on the defensive setup and the way the team meets the opponent, the relationship between the midfielders, and the ability to carry the ball into the final third in attack. Whether the coach's change has created a visible difference on the pitch is important. It is noted that the starting XI choice should be discussed in terms of overall team play rather than individual names.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu is said to represent the football brain of the national team. Changing the direction of play, setting the passing tempo and starting attacks from the first zone are his standout qualities. Starting on the bench in İzmir is not seen as a wrong decision on its own. However, it is emphasized that no one should have a guaranteed place in the starting XI, so alternatives who can match the playmaker's qualities should be available. In the Belgium match, Orkun, who played in Hakan's position, could not fully match Hakan's qualities, and it is noted that the two players are of different types.

The team plays France in the final match of the group. Turkey, sitting last in the table without a point, will close their Nations League campaign with this match. Giving young players a chance is welcomed, but it is stated that these players should be on the pitch for meaningful periods where they can take on responsibility, not just a few minutes. The match is seen as an opportunity to assess the level of some young players before the European Championship qualifiers.

The striker problem should not be seen as merely a lack of goalscoring. A forward who takes correct positions in the box with finishing quality, a player who can play with his back to goal, and an attacking setup in which the wingers and midfield can supply him are needed. As in the Onuachu example, the reason goals do not come is often that enough good chances are not created. Alternatives should be tried before the European Championship qualifiers, but rather than constantly changing players, a fixed attacking structure should be built.