02.06.2025 17:20
Galatasaray's young footballer Efe Akman came into the spotlight after facing protests from fans during celebrations. Head coach Onur Zayim commented on Akman's potential and the protests he experienced. Zayim stated that Akman has a high potential and, thanks to his technique, he is a player who could compete in the Premier League.
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Galatasaray, which declared its championship in the Süper Lig, celebrated its 5th star while the players took the stage one by one during the celebrations.
HE WAS BOOED DURING THE CELEBRATIONS
Efe Akman was subjected to protests from the fans as he walked onto the podium and could not hold back his tears. Technical director Onur Zayim made statements about the young player. While the players of Galatasaray took the stage one by one, young player Efe Akman was met with protests from the fans as he walked onto the podium and could not hold back his tears. Akman was later welcomed with applause by the fans during the celebration held after the RAMS Başakşehir match.
Onur Zayim, who previously worked as the coach of the U14, U15, U16, and U17 National Teams alongside Efe Akman, evaluated the young player.
Zayim, who is currently coaching at Hull City, commented on Efe Akman's potential while also discussing the protest incident that occurred.
Onur Zayim's words are as follows:
I worked with Efe in the first U14 National Team. He was a known player who was followed along with potential players in his age group at a younger age. Technically, he can be evaluated as a player with high first touch skills, active in the game, constantly demanding (asking for the ball), capable of dribbling, and possessing short/long passing skills. The characteristics I have listed summarize that the player has a high potential. The capabilities of a player with so many positive attributes also proportionally raise expectations. What I have seen and observed from Efe, whom I worked with from U14 to U18 National Team, is that he can do much more.
"HE WILL PLAY IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE"
Efe played in various positions, including 6/8/10 in the academy. In the youth national teams, I played Efe as the sole 6 in a 4/3/3 system and evaluated him as one of the two midfielders or as an 8 depending on the flow of the game. Efe has often used his mobility during moments when the opponent applied pressure, demonstrating his ability to maintain possession of the ball and relieve the team. He has also been effective in regaining possession with his pressing and sliding when the ball was with the opponent, as much as he was in his role when he had the ball. He can be defined as a "playmaker" player. I can describe his potential and capabilities not from my perspective, but from the viewpoint of the England U16 National Team coach, with whom we played two friendly matches at St George's Park in 2021. Despite being a team that had just emerged from the pandemic, we played very well in both matches. At the end of the two matches, the England National Team coach's comment was, "With the right development, Efe is a player who could play in the Premier League in four years." I have been working in England for about three years. They loan out high-potential players like him to teams that play a style that can develop them, and they follow every match from a technical, tactical, and mental perspective. The same process could be considered for Efe.
"I WAS VERY SAD"
Unfortunately, I followed Efe's situation with sadness as well. Efe is an emotional child and is quiet. He is so quiet that he wouldn't even protest to the referee about the kicks from opponents trying to take the ball from him during matches. He is truly a character I can point to as an example both on and off the field. The incident he experienced will mature him and teach him what he always needs to be prepared for in his long football career ahead. I can say that he has experienced how to cope with pressure mentally and why he needs to keep himself strong. He is a player who needs support and attention.
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