Turkey announced their final squad of 26 men for Euro 2020 on the squad submission deadline day after initially calling a 33 men provisional squad. This time the squad for Turkey is more talented than the one in 2016. Also, they have a terrific manager in Senol Gunes who led the national team to a third place finish in the 2002 World Cup. Excitingly, Gunes has a stadium in Turkey named after him built for his boyhood club Trabzonspor.
Turkey UEFA Euro 2020 Squad :
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayındır (Fenerbahçe), Uğurcan Çakır (Trabzonspor), Mert Günok (İstanbul Başakşehir)
Defenders: Kaan Ayhan (Sassuolo), Zeki Çelik (LOSC Lille), Merih Demiral (Juventus), Ozan Kabak (Liverpool), Umut Meraş (Le Havre), Mert Müldür (Sassuolo), Çağlar Söyüncü (Leicester), Rıdvan Yılmaz (Beşiktaş)
Midfielders: Taylan Antalyalı (Galatasaray), Hakan Çalhanoğlu (AC Milan), Halil Dervişoğlu (Brentford), İrfan Can Kahveci (Fenerbahçe), Orkun Kökçü (Feyenoord), Abdülkadir Ömür (Trabzonspor), Dorukhan Toköz (Beşiktaş), Ozan Tufan (Fenerbahçe), Okay Yokuşlu (West Brom)
Forwards: Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Galatasaray), Kenan Karaman (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Enes Ünal (Getafe), Cengiz Ünder (Leicester), Yusuf Yazıcı (LOSC Lille), Burak Yılmaz (LOSC Lille)
Key Player: Burak Yilmaz
Gunes is taking a squad capable of reaching unexpected heights in the upcoming Euros. He can dream of creating another impressive tale in his managerial career with Turkey and can cash on an impressive scorer to do so. Burak Yilmaz has turned out to be one of the best bargains of Ligue 1 and football history. Joining from Besiktas on a free transfer, he bagged 16 goals to help Lille to a historic league title after nine seasons. Yilmaz's breathtaking form has led him to score in pivotal moments for Turkey too. The 35-year-old veteran has found the back of the net 29 times in 63 caps for his country. Burak's ascendency in scoring goals makes Turkey a genuine threat upfront. He is even deadlier in setpieces, scoring absolute pitch from free-kicks. His presence will be crucial to grind out important results at the Euros and move into the latter stages of the competition.
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Strength (composition)
This impressive squad of the Turks produces quality chances because of their composition in every department and the style of play. The advent of quality players over the last couple of seasons has helped Turkey to be a recognised nation if not a powerhouse. Take the example of Caglar Soyuncu, Merih Demiral & Ozan Kabak in defense, Hakan Calhanoglu in midfield or Yusuf Yazici in the attack. These players have raised their standard by playing important roles at their respective clubs this past season and will be gunning for the same in the Euros. Turkey's progress has been down to their style of play constructed by Senol Gunes. He likes his side to press high, win & drive the ball in midfield and play line-breaking passes. Ozan Tufan can perform admirably along with his long range screamers. It has suited Turkey and they have welcomed it with open arms. This will act as the key strength for them to relish the contest.
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Weakness (Getting carried away)
Turkey has tested significant results by playing this manner. Often going into the lead and scoring more than two on countable occasions. While this has yielded results, Turkey has fallen into their own trap sometimes. Against press breaking sides or ones good with the ball, the crescent stars have opened up. Even with teams playing quick counters stall their defensive stability. Playing an attractive brand of attacking football does leave gaps at the back. Caglar Soyuncu is good physically and a top ball playing center half but has often committed mistakes while being pressed. Same goes with Demiral and Kabak. But they have often been rescued by their ball progress in midfield and attacking brilliance. If they don't get carried away by their recent success and treat Euros seriously, we can have a fascinating team to watch this summer.
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