Turkey - Euro 2016

[perpetua]

Final Squad

Goalkeepers:

Volkan Babacan (27) - Likely starter due to his strong form this season after Volkan Demirel (without a doubt Turkey's best active goalkeeper) walked out on the national team.

Onur Kıvrak (28) - If his knees hold up (two, or was it three now, torn knee ligaments in recent seasons) he is a talented goalkeeper with a penchant for the odd blunder.

Harun Tekin (26) - Came to prominence last season with his strong reflexes. Has a tendency to spill the ball a little too often.

Right Sided Defenders:

Gökhan Gönül (31) - He has been Turkey's best full back for for 9 years but was unfortunate to miss the Euro 2008 campaign due to injury.

Şener Özbayraklı (26) - Gökhan's backup at club and country level. Not the most diligent defender but can bomb down the right side to deliver dangerous crosses.

Left Sided Defenders:

Caner Erkin (27) - After starting out as a left sided midfielder, he found a home as an attacking left back. Very dangerous crosser of the ball but also very prone to losing his man defensively. Also card prone.

İsmail Köybaşı (26) - After a very lengthy knee injury he's finally finding his form again. More of an attacker than a defender.

Central Defenders:

Hakan Balta (33) - The last of the old guard. After many years as a left back, he switched to centre back to get away from those pacy wingers. Calm and assured player who adds a bit of wisdom to the wild bunch around him.

Mehmet Topal (30) - Was thrown in at the deep end in Euro 2008, having to play centre back in the semi finals against Germany. Tall, industrious and two footed, he's Turkey's best destroyer in midfield. It wouldn't be surprising to see him at centre back when Terim opts for a more possession game.

Semih Kaya (25) - The poster child of Murphy's law when it comes to injuries. When fit, he's a reliable defender who doesn't really excel in any one area.

Ahmet Çalık (22) - A prototypical stopper that lacks a bit of composure. Probably most suitable in this squad for being thrown on in the dying minutes of a match to take advantage of his marking and aerial ability.

Central Midfielders:

Selçuk İnan (31) - Has been Turkey's midfield organizer since Terim's return. Calm, assured and always in the game, he will keep things simple unless he sees an opening for a killer ball. Excellent free kick taker.

Oğuzhan Özyakup (23) - Thanks Holland! Has been a revelation this season at his club and finally put together some consistency to go with his great vision.

Ozan Tufan (21) - A highly versatile player who has filled in at full back, centre back and midfield. His industrious play and above average ability defensive and offensively has made him a fixture in Terim's team.

Nuri Şahin (27) - Despite being very talented, he has never looked comfortable playing in the Turkish squad. Perhaps the camp before the Euros can help him adapt better.

Wide Players:

Arda Turan (29) - Breakout youngster of the Euro 2008 squad returns as the captain. Has a knack for opening up stubborn defenses and always looks to raise his game for the national team. Occasionally by trying to do too much.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu (22) - Has been used on the right midfield when representing Turkey to give more stability to the midfield and give Arda Turan more freedom on the opposite wing. Top class free kick taker.

Volkan Şen (28) - Has achieved stability after an up and down career. Quick dribbler who can give full backs nightmares. Often lacks the final ball or shot to successfully finish his dribbles.

Olcay Şahan (29) - Industrious wide player who has a knack for popping into the box to finish chances. Not the most creative but a good team player.

Emre Mor (18) - Quick and agile wide player who recently got his debut. Has an outside chance of getting into the final squad but it wouldn't be surprising if he is preferred over Yasin Öztekin for his exuberance.

Attackers:

Burak Yılmaz (30) - Turkey's main recognizable striker since 2012. Has a knack for latching on to through balls behind the defense with his long strides. Tall but not much of an aerial threat.

Cenk Tosun (24) - Possibly Turkey's breakout player in the tournament if Burak can't shake off his recent injuries. Industrious and an excellent finisher with both feet. Lack of breakaway pace somewhat hinders him.

Yunus Mallı (24) - Recent addition to the squad, he played a small role during qualification. He offers more of a dribbling threat than the other attackers in the squad.

Head Coach:

Fatih Terim (62) - Works as hard as his players on the sidelines as evidenced by his sweat soaked shirts at full time. Charismatic and vocal, he has a knack for uniting his squad to give their all on the pitch. Has adopted the motto "It's not over until we say it's over." for the national team in reference to the comeback heroics of the team under his guidance in Euro 2008. Tactically he will prepare his team to adopt just about any formation imaginable. It's not surprising to see him switch 4-5 formations within a match in order to throw off the opposing manager and to keep his players' concentration levels high. As such he prefers versatile players who can operate in different formations and roles in his squads. Has been experimenting with more disciplined counter attacking football and possession based football without an out and out striker lately but remains an attacking manager that likes to exploit weaknesses in the opposition defense first and foremost.

Comments: This should be interesting. Arguably Turkey has as talented a squad as they did in 2008. However, while the 2008 squad relied on Galatasaray players' defensive familiarity to build a base for the attacking corps, the current group of defenders are much more fragile defensively in terms of individual ability as well as in terms of cohesiveness. Turkey's midfield has many quality options but lacks someone who is equally proficient defensively and offensively. Entire team will need to put in an effort on the defensive end and this may mean that those quick agile wingers get introduced into the game late, either to produce a score or to relieve pressure from opponent attacks. As long as Turkey manages not to concede, they have enough offensive weapons to get goals.

Players who did not make the cut from the Preliminary squad:

Ali Şaşal Vural (25) - Finished 2014/15 strong, winning the job over Ruud Boffin at his club but started the season injured and barely played this season. Interesting choice and probably won't make the cut.

Serdar Aziz (25) - Although not the tallest player, has a great leaping ability. Has a no-nonsense attitude when tackling and is a little prone to picking up unnecessary cards. Cut due to long term injury

Çağlar Söyüncü (20) - Has lots of potential but not anywhere near International level yet.

Alper Potuk (25) - More of a dribbler than an organizer he can also operate on the wing. Hard working player who struggles to convert his efforts into the scoreline despite 1v1 ability.

Mahmut Tekdemir (28) - Two-footed defensive midfielder who can also operate as a centre back. Lack of international experience has usually manifested itself when he has played for Turkey as he looks a step too slow in anticipating situations.

Gökhan Töre (24) - Extremely talented but mercurial wide man is banned for the first two matches of the tournament for a horror tackle in qualifying.

Yasin Öztekin (29) - Wide player who likes to cut in from the left side and catch his full back wrong footed. Likely a depth player in the squad to be introduced when chasing a game.

Mevlüt Erdinç (29) - Has been a reliable back-up in the Turkish team. Athletic player who can hold up the ball quite well. Not the most reliable finisher.