The captain of Kartal speaks out
On the eve of the Fenerbahçe derby, Orkun Kökçü opened up about everything from the national team to his adaptation at Beşiktaş, the pressure of expectations and his relationship with coach Sergen Yalçın. Calm, honest and self‑critical, the 25‑year‑old midfielder drew a clear picture of what leadership looks like under intense spotlight.
Speaking about the national team and coach Vincenzo Montella’s choices, Kökçü underlined that individual disappointments never overshadowed the shared objective:
“Before the first game, Montella explained why he picked the squad the way he did. After that, all I could do was respect his decision. There was no extra tension between us. We are all chasing the same goal. Of course you can be upset sometimes, you can question decisions, but the main thing was qualifying for the World Cup. Whether I played or not, I tried to give absolutely everything. In the end, we were happy together.”
Turning to their World Cup prospects, Kökçü remains optimistic about the group and the team’s potential:
“On paper, our group at the World Cup looks good. We have a very promising generation. There is balance, energy and a lot of players in top form. If we stay united and keep our feet on the ground, we can surprise people.”
A difficult beginning at Beşiktaş
Kökçü also revisited the emotional period after signing for Beşiktaş, describing how the weight of expectations complicated his first months at the club:
“When I arrived at Beşiktaş, I just wanted to repay the love I felt from the fans. But at the start, I did not manage to do that in the right way. I pushed too hard, tried to do too much, tried to be the hero in every move. After the Fenerbahçe game, I cleared my head. That desire to constantly make something extra happen actually stopped me from adapting. It was something I had to fix within myself.”
That internal reset, he says, was the turning point. Instead of forcing the game, Kökçü began focusing on simpler decisions, team structure and reading the rhythm of matches:
“When you arrive at a big club, you want to show immediately why you are here. But true leadership is not about dribbling three people or scoring spectacular goals every weekend. Sometimes it is about choosing the right pass, calming the game down, doing the unseen work. Once I accepted that, everything started to flow more naturally.”
Growing up with legends, working with Sergen Yalçın
Kökçü stressed how special it is for him to be coached by a figure he grew up hearing about:
“I grew up hearing stories about legends like Sergen Yalçın and Şifo Mehmet. My uncles and older relatives always talked about them. When Sergen became my coach, I was really excited. I believed I would learn things from him no matter what, and that is exactly what happened.”
He also denied any rumors of tension with Yalçın, emphasizing the trust between player and coach:
“Sergen coach cares about me a lot. Sometimes people write that we have a bad relationship. That has never happened and it will not happen. Our relationship is very good. When I first arrived, he called me into his office. He told me, ‘Do not pay attention to what is written about you. If you get stuck on that, you will never show your true performance.’ He himself does not obsess over criticism, and he shared his experiences with me. That really relaxed me.”
For Kökçü, that conversation was crucial in separating social noise from professional reality. It reminded him that top players are judged every three days and that mental resilience is as important as physical form.
The Kosovo goal: team above ego
The national team midfielder also revisited his goal in the match against Kosovo, a moment that stirred debate over who should be credited:
“The pitch was bad. The ball bounced with a strange curve. Because it was spinning, I thought maybe it might hit the post and go in. But then I thought, ‘Why risk it?’ In the end we all want to go to the World Cup. Kerem got a touch and it became a goal. The only thing I worried about was offside. Who scored does not matter. I would never get angry about that. I just asked Kerem if he was offside or not. That was it.”
His calm reaction turned into a symbol of his mentality: collective success over personal glory, even on a stage where statistics can define careers.
Derby mindset: intensity, desire and details
Looking ahead to the weekend clash with Fenerbahçe, Kökçü highlighted the unpredictable nature of derbies:
“Derbies are always difficult. The team you face is also a quality side. Every match has its own story. On that day, whoever wants it more, wins. That applies to both teams. Because you cannot make a clear prediction on paper, it is even more exciting. The smallest detail can decide everything.”
He underlined that tactics, preparation and form matter, but in derbies emotion and mentality often tilt the balance:
“You can work all week on game plans, but if you are half a step late in duels, if you do not win second balls, the plan collapses. In derbies, energy, discipline and concentration decide as much as system and formation. Whoever controls their emotions better usually takes the advantage.”
Leadership in a demanding environment
Inside the Beşiktaş dressing room, Kökçü is seen not only as a playmaker but as one of the leaders of the new generation. He is well aware that wearing this badge means more than performing on match day:
“Being a leader at Beşiktaş is a responsibility that continues after the final whistle. You represent the club in every word, every move, every public appearance. Younger players watch how you train, how you react when you are benched, how you behave when the crowd whistles. That is where true character appears.”
He admits he is still learning but insists that mistakes should be part of the growth process, not the end of the road:
“No player is perfect. I will make mistakes, the team will make mistakes. The important thing is how you respond. You cannot hide when things go wrong. You step forward, you accept criticism, you work harder. This club has had great captains and legends. If one day I can come close to that level of respect, it will be because of how I act in difficult moments, not only after the victories.”
Adapting to pressure and expectations
From the first day, Kökçü felt the intense scrutiny that comes with playing for a giant club. For some, that pressure destroys confidence; for him, it became fuel:
“Every misplaced pass, every missed shot is analyzed. At first it bothered me. Later I realized this is exactly what I dreamed of: playing where football really matters. If nobody talks about you, it means you are not important. So I chose to see the pressure as a privilege. It pushes you to raise your standards.”
He works closely with the technical staff to manage this load, focusing on what he can control: fitness, recovery, decision‑making and relationship with teammates on the pitch.
Chemistry on the pitch: trust and timing
Kökçü places huge importance on trust between midfielders, wingers and forwards. For him, the quality of combinations often reflects the chemistry built off the pitch:
“When a teammate makes a run, he needs to trust that you will see him, that the ball will come at the right moment and with the right speed. That trust is not created in one day. It is built in training, in dressing room conversations, even at breakfast. The better we know each other as people, the easier it becomes to connect with one touch during a match.”
He believes that the current Beşiktaş squad is gradually building that understanding, which is vital for breaking down compact defenses and dominating big games like the Fenerbahçe derby.
Mental reset after big games
That Fenerbahçe match he mentioned as a turning point was not just about performance, but about learning how to let go after high‑pressure nights:
“After a derby, your head is full: chances missed, passes you could have played differently, referee decisions. At first I carried that weight for days. Later I realized you cannot change the past match. You analyze, you accept, and then you move on. Otherwise you enter the next game already tired in your mind.”
This ability to reset, he says, keeps him sharp and less vulnerable to long dips in form.
Looking ahead: ambition, but step by step
Kökçü’s ambitions are clear: to become a central figure both for Beşiktaş and the national team, to leave a legacy that goes beyond highlight reels:
“I want to be remembered as a player who gave everything, who never hid, who respected the shirt. Of course I want trophies, I want to play at the highest level, I want to be at World Cups and European Championships. But you reach those dreams step by step. Today my job is simple: help Beşiktaş win the derby, help my team control the midfield, and be a positive influence in the dressing room.”
He knows that one great game will not make him a legend, just as one bad night will not erase what he has already built. Consistency and character, he insists, are what truly define a career.
Connection with the fans
Finally, Kökçü spoke about his bond with the Beşiktaş supporters, who often praise his character as much as his ability:
“The fans here understand effort. They see who fights, who runs, who does not give up on a ball. They also see when a player is going through a difficult period but still tries to take responsibility. That is why their support means so much. Even when I made mistakes, I felt that a big part of them stood behind me. That gives you strength.”
He accepts that criticism will always exist, especially after big games, but believes that honesty and work rate are the best answers:
“If you are sincere, if you respect the badge, people feel it. You cannot fool a crowd like this. So I just try to be myself: sometimes I will fail, sometimes I will succeed, but I will always fight for these colors.”
As the derby approaches, Orkun Kökçü steps onto the pitch not only as an important midfielder, but as one of the emotional leaders of Beşiktaş. Between national team ambitions, club pressure and personal expectations, he continues to shape his own story: imperfect, human, but undeniably committed to the shirt he wears.