League Focus: How the Super Lig's Big Summer Signings are Settling In
The relaxation of the foreign player ruling over the summer resulted in an influx of non-Turkish players to the Super Lig this summer. The most high profile names came in the form of forwards with the likes of former Manchester United duo Luis Nani and Robin van Persie joining Fenerbahçe. Lukas Podolski made his way from Arsenal to Galatasaray, while Mario Gomez headed off to Beşiktaş and Samuel Eto’o decided to try his luck at newly promoted Antalyaspor.
Gomez seemed to have left his best days behind him after a disappointing spell at Fiorentina, but the powerful striker this season has shown that while form is temporary; class is permanent. The 30-year-old has been on fire for Beşiktaş, scoring 10 goals in all competitions helping his side top the table. The Black Eagles are unbeaten in 10 and have scored the highest number of goals in the league (30). Gomez has been so impressive that he earned himself a recall to the Germany national team after a lengthy absence.
The Istanbul giants signed Gomez on a two-year deal with a buyout clause option, which already looks like it could end up being the bargain of the summer. The prolific frontman is starting to find the kind of form that made him a star at Bayern Munich, but it is worth noting he has had excellent service from the likes of Gökhan Töre, Oğuzhan Özyakup and Olcay Şahan.
Van Persie attracted most the fanfare when he arrived, but it has been his former Manchester United teammate who has really hit the ground running. Nani has responded well to his status as a star player and thrives off the showering of love his faithful fans provide him. The Portuguese winger has established himself as a key member of Vitor Pereira’s side scoring five and providing four assists. The 28-year-old averages an impressive 2.3 key passes per game - the 9th best return in the Super Lig - and is currently rated the fourth best player in the league with a Whoscored rating 7.52.
It did not take long for Van Persie to have his first tantrum. The Dutch star made it perfectly clear what he thought about not starting regularly at the start of the season. Pereira claimed there was no animosity between the two and that the only reason he had not started the former United man was due to him lacking match fitness. A few weeks ago Van Persie was labelled a flop, but a few good performances saw him being linked with moves to Chelsea and Barcelona.
The 32-year-old has not exactly had the impact that was expected but he has not exactly been played as often as would have been expected. Van Persie does however have five goals in 12 league appearances, eight of which have been starts, but has largely been overshadowed by Fernandao, who has 10 goals in all competitions. The experienced striker has not had the chance to really get into a rhythm just yet, but he has shown glimpses of what he is capable of when given the opportunity.
The social media loving Germany international has settled in well to life in Turkey having grown up among the large Turkish community of Koln, but he took a while to find his scoring boots. The former Arsenal man has been deployed predominantly on the wing as he was for the north London club, but he has been given the regular playing time he craved. Podolski has not exactly set the league alight just yet, but he does have eight goals and one assist to his name in the league and Champions League for the Lions this season.
Antalyaspor embarked on an ambitious transfer policy targeting everyone from Ronaldinho to Victor Valdes, but eventually plumped for Samuel Eto’o. The arrival of the Cameroon international came as a surprise considering the Scorpions were only promoted this season and are not even considered a mid-table team, let alone a top-four side. The former Barcelona man was accused of taking a final paycheck, but 10 goals later it is clear that Eto’o still means business.
The 34-year-old is like a fine wine as far as age is concerned. The stats really are staggering. Antalyaspor have scored 19 goals, 12 of which, when factoring in his two assists, have come through of Eto’o, who is currently the league’s top scorer. Even his assists have been moments of brilliance, such as his back heel volley from outside the penalty area that was buried by Mbilla for a memorable 3-3 draw with Galatasaray last week.
Which of the Super Lig's big summer signings have you been most impressed with? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
