Former Beşiktaş Defender Gökhan Sazdağı: “I Found Myself in Chaos from the First Week”
Gökhan Sazdağı has spoken candidly about his short spell at Beşiktaş, describing the intense pressure and internal turmoil he experienced after joining the Istanbul club. The right-back admitted that the environment became difficult almost immediately, although he insisted that his time in the black-and-white shirt provided valuable lessons for his career.
Sazdağı earned national-team recognition in 2024 after several impressive seasons with Kayserispor. His performances attracted attention from several major clubs, and he eventually signed for Beşiktaş during the 2025 summer transfer window. However, his first season in Istanbul did not develop as he had hoped. He made 18 appearances before leaving the club and joining newly promoted Çorum FK ahead of the new campaign.
The experienced defender recently attracted attention after playing the full 90 minutes against Galatasaray. His display in the demanding away fixture was widely praised, and he played an important role in helping his team secure a valuable point. Now focused on the new season, Sazdağı also hopes to return to the Turkish national team.
“The Fenerbahçe Match Was Important, but It Was Not the Only Reason”
Speaking about the turning points in his career, Sazdağı highlighted Kayserispor’s memorable 3-3 draw against Fenerbahçe on April 20, 2025. He registered three assists in that match, making a major contribution to his team’s result.
“That was a special game in my career,” Sazdağı explained. “Providing three assists away from home and helping the team earn a point is not something people forget easily. After that match, I noticed that my name began to be mentioned more often. Even when I moved to Beşiktaş, I said that the game was one of the best moments of my career.”
Nevertheless, the defender rejected the idea that a single performance had earned him a transfer to Beşiktaş. According to him, the move was the result of several seasons of consistent work at Kayserispor.
“I had already performed well for Kayserispor over a number of seasons. There had also been interest from major clubs the year before. At that time, I told our president that I did not want to leave before helping the club reach a stable position. Many reports linked me with Fenerbahçe, Trabzonspor and other teams, but I tried not to pay too much attention to them.”
Sazdağı said that his initial intention was to remain at Kayserispor. However, negotiations over the conditions of a new agreement failed, and he ultimately decided that a transfer would be the best option.
“In the week I left, I received offers from two major clubs. After discussing the situation with my family, I chose Beşiktaş,” he said.
“I Was in the Starting XI Before I Knew My Teammates”
The player’s most striking comments concerned the atmosphere he encountered after completing his transfer. He revealed that he was placed in the starting lineup almost immediately, leaving little time to adapt to his new surroundings.
“After my transfer was completed, I had not even had the chance to properly get to know my teammates. On the third day, I found myself in the starting XI. At first, I did not think this would be a problem, and I believe I started the season well,” he said.
However, the situation at the club soon became increasingly complicated.
“From the first week, I found myself in an atmosphere of chaos. First there was the Rafa Silva crisis, followed by what happened at the club congress. Suddenly, we began to feel enormous pressure from the supporters. Then there were changes among the captains and players being excluded from the squad.”
Sazdağı emphasized that the uncertainty affected the entire team, not just individual players. The footballers discussed the problems internally, but the pressure remained difficult to escape.
“That period was extremely exhausting for us. At that moment, I truly understood how large Beşiktaş is as an institution. Every match carries huge expectations, every training session involves intense competition, and you feel responsible for a massive supporter base. All of these factors can be difficult, but they also help a player develop.”
“I Should Have Kept Myself Ready”
Although he acknowledged the challenges inside the club, Sazdağı also accepted responsibility for his own shortcomings. He stated that players must sometimes look at their personal mistakes instead of blaming every problem on the club or coaching staff.
“Problems can occur at any club, but footballers must also be willing to examine themselves. Football is a game built around mistakes, and errors are part of its nature. My biggest mistake was failing to keep myself fully prepared during the periods when I was not playing.”
The defender admitted that he had wanted a more active role at Beşiktaş and hoped to make a greater contribution on the pitch. Even so, he does not view his spell in Istanbul as a failure.
“Of course, I would have preferred to play more and contribute more. Many things did not happen as I expected. But I do not evaluate that period negatively. I worked alongside high-quality footballers, experienced life at a major club and gained important lessons.”
A Difficult Adaptation to the Pressure of a Major Club
Sazdağı’s comments also underline the difference between playing for a provincial club and joining one of Turkey’s most prominent teams. At Kayserispor, he had established himself as a reliable and effective full-back. At Beşiktaş, however, every performance was judged under a much stronger spotlight.
For a defender, adaptation can be particularly demanding. A right-back is expected to contribute both defensively and offensively, maintain concentration throughout the match and respond quickly to tactical changes. At a club with such high expectations, even a minor mistake can become a major talking point.
The short preparation period made Sazdağı’s transition even more complicated. Being included in the starting lineup only a few days after arriving meant that he had to learn his teammates’ movements, understand the manager’s tactical approach and cope with public scrutiny at the same time.
A New Opportunity at Çorum FK
His move to Çorum FK gives the 31-year-old a chance to rebuild his momentum. At a newly promoted Süper Lig side, Sazdağı is expected to bring experience, consistency and leadership to the defensive line.
His strong performance against Galatasaray suggests that he remains capable of competing at the highest level. Playing a full match in a difficult away fixture and helping his team earn a point may prove important for his confidence and future ambitions.
The defender’s immediate objectives are clear: establish himself as a regular starter, help Çorum FK remain competitive in the league and earn another opportunity with the national team. His previous selection shows that he has already attracted the attention of Turkey’s coaches.
Experience That Could Shape the Next Stage of His Career
Despite the turbulent circumstances, Sazdağı’s year at Beşiktaş may ultimately benefit him. Exposure to intense competition, constant media attention and high-pressure matches can improve a player’s mental strength.
The defender’s admission that he was not always ready while out of the team is particularly significant. Maintaining fitness, concentration and motivation during periods without regular playing time is one of the biggest challenges in professional football. His experience may help him avoid the same problem in the future.
Sazdağı’s story also reflects the unpredictable nature of transfers. A player can arrive at a major club with strong statistics and high expectations, yet circumstances inside the team may quickly alter his role. For that reason, adaptation, patience and psychological resilience are often just as important as technical ability.
The former Beşiktaş player now appears determined to turn a difficult chapter into motivation. His time in Istanbul did not produce the number of appearances or the level of influence he had hoped for, but it gave him a deeper understanding of elite football. At Çorum FK, he has the opportunity to demonstrate that the experience made him stronger rather than holding him back.