Orkun Kökçü’s Salih Özcan confession: “I called him on the phone”
Beşiktaş star midfielder Orkun Kökçü spoke to the media during the team’s training camp in Slovakia and made a striking admission about new signing Salih Özcan. The playmaker revealed that he personally contacted Özcan several times by phone and played an active role in convincing him to join Beşiktaş.
Kökçü explained that he and Salih have been in close contact for weeks:
“We talk on the phone a lot. I called him, we discussed the project here, the ambition of the club, and what we could achieve together. I told him I really wanted to play alongside him at Beşiktaş,” he said.
According to Kökçü, the conversations were not just polite chats, but detailed talks about football, tactics and the atmosphere within the squad.
“Salih wanted to know how things are in the dressing room, how the coach works, what kind of role he could have. I tried to be as honest as possible. I told him that Beşiktaş is rebuilding a strong core and that players like him are exactly what we need,” he added.
The Turkish international underlined that Özcan’s arrival is not just another transfer, but a move that can change the dynamics of Beşiktaş’s midfield:
“Salih is a player with high game intelligence, discipline and work rate. He can give us balance between defense and attack. I believe we will complement each other very well in the center of the pitch.”
“We want to build a new spine for Beşiktaş”
Kökçü emphasized that the club’s project is built around forming a strong spine through the middle of the field and that Özcan fits perfectly into this plan.
“The management has been very clear with us,” he said. “They want a team that can dominate games, press high and control the tempo. For that, you need reliable central players. Salih has proven in Europe that he can play at a high level under pressure. That’s why I insisted so much that he should come.”
He also pointed out that the presence of players with similar backgrounds makes the adaptation process easier:
“Both of us spent many years abroad and played in intense leagues. We know what it means to compete at the top level week after week. Bringing that mentality to Beşiktaş is crucial if we want to fight for every trophy.”
Salih Özcan in Istanbul for Beşiktaş
While Kökçü and his teammates continue their preparations in Slovakia, Salih Özcan has already arrived in Istanbul to complete the final details of his move. The expectation within the club is that all formalities will be finished swiftly so that he can join the team as soon as possible.
Inside the dressing room, the transfer is met with enthusiasm. Kökçü admitted that the players have been following the developments closely:
“Everyone asked me how close the deal was, whether Salih was really coming. When I said we’ve been talking a lot and that he’s excited about the project, they were very happy. We all know his qualities.”
Tactical expectations: double pivot or advanced role?
With Özcan’s arrival, the big question is how the midfield will be structured. Kökçü believes the team will become more flexible tactically:
“Salih can play as a holding midfielder, but he’s also comfortable stepping forward and initiating attacks. That gives the coach options. Sometimes we might play side by side in a double pivot, sometimes one of us will move higher. The important thing is that we understand each other’s movements.”
He stressed that this versatility will be valuable in the dense fixture schedule that awaits Beşiktaş:
“We have a long season ahead – league, cup, possibly European matches. We will need different plans for different opponents. With a player like Salih, we can adjust the system without losing balance.”
Adapting to the coach’s demands
Kökçü also spoke more broadly about the work being done in the Slovakia camp. According to him, the coaching staff is focused on increasing intensity and synchronizing the movements of the midfield and attack.
“The coach wants us to play brave football: high pressing, quick transitions, but also patience when we need to build up. For that, communication in midfield is key,” he noted. “Having someone like Salih, who reads the game well and talks a lot on the pitch, will help us implement these ideas faster.”
He admitted that personal initiative from players, such as his own effort to persuade Özcan, is encouraged by the coaching team:
“They tell us: ‘If you know players who can help us and fit our mentality, talk to them.’ Modern football works like that. Relationships between players matter a lot when decisions are made.”
Building chemistry off the pitch
Beyond tactics, Kökçü highlighted the importance of off-field chemistry. He believes that sharing similar values and footballing education will make integration smoother for Özcan.
“When he comes, he won’t be a stranger. We’ve already spoken about life in Istanbul, about the club culture, even about small details like where to live, how to handle the pressure here. These things sound simple, but they help a player feel at home faster,” Kökçü explained.
He added that the team is ready to support any new arrival:
“Our group is open and welcoming. When you come into a team where you immediately feel trusted, your performance on the field naturally improves. We want Salih to feel that from day one.”
Beşiktaş’s match schedule and ambitions
Looking ahead to Beşiktaş’s upcoming match program, Kökçü underlined that the early part of the season will be decisive for establishing momentum.
“We have important games right from the start. There is no time for a slow beginning. That’s why having transfers completed early and integrating new players quickly is essential. We want to be ready both physically and mentally when the official matches begin,” he said.
Asked about the club’s objectives, he was unequivocal:
“At Beşiktaş, there is always only one goal: to compete for the title and win trophies. We’re not satisfied with just playing well. We want results, and for that every detail matters – from training sessions in Slovakia to signings like Salih.”
Personal responsibility and leadership
Kökçü’s role in influencing transfers also reflects his growing status within the squad. He acknowledged that he feels a responsibility that goes beyond his performances on the pitch.
“When you wear the shirt of a big club, you can’t only think about yourself. You have to think about the team’s future, the next step, which players can fit into the system,” he stated. “Calling Salih wasn’t just about playing with a friend; it was about helping build a stronger Beşiktaş.”
He noted that such leadership is not limited to senior players:
“In modern football, age is less important than mentality. If you feel ready to take responsibility, you should. I try to contribute wherever I can – by guiding younger teammates, by being honest in my feedback, and yes, sometimes by picking up the phone and calling a player we want here.”
The psychological side of a big move
Kökçü also touched on the psychological aspect of making a high-pressure move, something he and Özcan have both experienced in their careers.
“When a player changes club, especially to a demanding environment, he needs reassurance,” he said. “He wants to know that he won’t be left alone if things get tough. That’s one of the reasons I called Salih. I told him: ‘If you come, I’m here, the team is here, the club will stand behind you.’ That kind of trust can be decisive when choosing your next step.”
He believes that being transparent about expectations is crucial:
“I didn’t promise him an easy life. I told him clearly: at Beşiktaş, every mistake is talked about, every success is celebrated loudly, the pressure is constant. But I also said that this pressure is what makes you grow as a player. If you want to be remembered, you have to embrace it.”
A message to Beşiktaş fans
In closing, Kökçü sent a message to the supporters, who are eagerly waiting to see the new-look team and potential midfield partnership between him and Özcan.
“The fans should know that we are working very hard here in camp. We feel their expectations,” he said. “If Salih’s transfer is completed, they will see a player who fights for every ball and gives everything for the badge. And they will see a Beşiktaş team that wants to dominate every opponent.”
He urged patience but promised commitment:
“Building a strong team takes time, but our intention is clear: to bring Beşiktaş back to where it belongs, at the top. With smart signings, with unity in the dressing room and with the support of our fans, I believe we will achieve that. Calling Salih was a small step in a bigger plan – a plan to make Beşiktaş stronger, more competitive and more exciting to watch.”