“Kartal Kayra delivered an outstanding performance”
Former defender and football pundit Yalçın Ayhan shared striking opinions in the aftermath of Beşiktaş’s match against Antalyaspor, focusing on the team’s squad structure and the individual displays of several players. While the debate around Beşiktaş’s rebuilding continues, Ayhan’s remarks particularly highlighted the performances of Kartal Kayra, Taylan, and Gökhan, as well as the profile of the defensive midfielder the team needs going forward.
According to Ayhan, it is increasingly clear that Taylan does not fit into the tactical framework that Sergen Yalçın is trying to establish at Beşiktaş. In his view, the current system leaves little room for Taylan to carve out a meaningful role. Ayhan also underlined that Gökhan’s display in the recent derby failed to inspire long‑term confidence among the supporters, stating that the fan base does not appear to hold significant expectations for his future at the club based on what he has shown so far.
By contrast, Ayhan reserved strong praise for Kartal Kayra. He emphasized that the young midfielder is not someone who should be judged solely on a single match or isolated performance. In his words, Kartal Kayra put in a “very strong performance,” but more importantly, he has been showing the kind of consistency and professionalism that suggest he could be an important piece in the squad. Ayhan argued that a club with Beşiktaş’s ambitions cannot rely only on flashes of talent; it needs players like Kartal who are reliable, disciplined, and able to deliver whenever they are given opportunities.
Ayhan then turned his attention to the broader tactical picture. With Orkun Kökçü projected as a key figure in midfield, the choice of the player who will operate alongside him in the number 6 role becomes crucial. In Ayhan’s opinion, that position must be filled by a more “guaranteed” option: a defensive midfielder who can dominate central areas, shield the back line effectively, and stand out not only through work rate but also with strong individual defensive qualities. This player, he stressed, should be capable of commanding the center of defense from in front of the back four and making decisive interventions.
He described the ideal profile as a holding midfielder who reads the game well, closes spaces, steps in at the right moments, and allows Orkun more freedom to influence the attacking side of play. Without such a solid anchor, Ayhan believes it will be difficult for Beşiktaş to consistently compete for major titles, no matter how talented the attacking options are.
Fan opinions echo a similar line of thinking. Many believe that Kartal must remain in the squad. They see him as an excellent option off the bench, particularly valuable because he is homegrown, carries a strong sense of belonging to the club, and understands what it means to wear the black‑and‑white shirt. There are even comparisons suggesting that he is not particularly inferior to Aslani, with some supporters arguing that the gap between them is much smaller than often portrayed.
From this perspective, instead of committing a large transfer fee – for example, a sum in the region of 13 million for Aslani – a part of the fan base suggests that Beşiktaş should look for a different, higher‑caliber defensive midfielder. Many are convinced that with smart scouting and negotiation, a more complete player for the number 6 position can be found for that amount of money or even less, especially one who better matches the physical and tactical demands of the league.
Another frequently mentioned point is Kartal’s professionalism. Whenever he is given minutes, he is praised for his attitude, commitment, and discipline on the pitch. Observers note that he performs his duties with seriousness and focus, never hiding from responsibility, even in difficult matches. This has led to calls for him to be preferred over certain foreign players, including suggestions that he could be used instead of Ndidi in specific setups, particularly in matches where energy, pressing, and discipline in midfield are vital.
Supporters commenting on the Antalyaspor match stressed that Kartal played exactly in line with the qualities described in these assessments: positioned well defensively, helped link play, and rarely made poor decisions under pressure. His display was seen as a strong argument in favor of giving him a more stable role in the rotation rather than relegating him to the fringes of the squad.
However, frustration remains regarding other areas of the team. Names such as Sazdağı, Cengiz, Salih, and Hekimoğlu are often cited as players that some fans no longer wish to see even as backups. The sentiment is that if Beşiktaş truly wants to re‑enter the championship race, the depth players must also meet a higher standard, especially in key positions where quality drops sharply when starters are unavailable.
In terms of recruitment, the demands are clear: the team urgently needs a high‑quality left‑back, a reliable and creative left‑winger, and a clinical center‑forward. In the eyes of the supporters, strengthening these three positions with players who can immediately elevate the starting eleven would drastically improve Beşiktaş’s title chances. Without this injection of quality, they fear the team will once again fall short in critical stages of the season.
Beyond individual performances, there is also a lingering sense of injustice and mistrust toward officiating and football politics. Some fans argue that Beşiktaş has repeatedly suffered from refereeing mistakes, particularly in crucial periods of the season, and that these issues have prematurely knocked the team out of the title race, sometimes as early as November. They insist that the club’s leadership must confront and resolve these problems at the negotiation table with the relevant power structures in the game.
According to this critical view, even though there have been changes at the top of the football federation and multiple referee committee reshuffles, the pattern of controversial decisions against Beşiktaş has not significantly changed. As a result, a portion of the fan base believes that the responsibility largely lies with the club president and management, who must protect the club’s interests more forcefully and ensure fair competition on the pitch.
Amid all these concerns, the debate over squad planning becomes even more important. For Beşiktaş to move forward, the club must strike a delicate balance between investing in proven foreign talent and trusting its own academy products. Players like Kartal embody this balance: they may not arrive with a big transfer fee, but they offer tactical flexibility, emotional connection to the club, and the potential to grow into leaders over time.
In modern football, having a group of players who understand the club’s culture is as crucial as signing expensive stars. Kartal’s example shows that a player who knows the expectations of the supporters, respects the jersey, and shows resilience under pressure can sometimes offer more value than a high‑priced signing who struggles to adapt. Retaining and developing such players can also ease the financial burden, allowing the club to allocate resources more efficiently in positions where quality from the academy is lacking.
At the same time, Beşiktaş must be realistic about the limitations of some squad members. Rotational players who consistently fail to impact games or who cannot raise their level in big matches will inevitably block the pathway of younger, hungrier talents. Refreshing the bench with a mix of youth and carefully chosen experienced players is essential if the team is to maintain intensity and tactical cohesion throughout a long, demanding season.
The case of the number 6 role is a prime example. If the club identifies a defensive midfielder capable of dominating the center of the pitch, winning duels, intercepting passes, and initiating attacks cleanly, that player could transform the entire structure of the team. Playing such a midfielder next to Orkun Kökçü would likely give Beşiktaş better balance between defense and attack, allowing full‑backs to push forward with more confidence and reducing the number of dangerous transitions conceded.
In that scenario, Kartal Kayra can be an ideal rotational piece: someone who can step in without causing a noticeable drop in quality, cover multiple roles in midfield, and keep competitive pressure high in training. If managed correctly, this internal competition can push all midfielders to improve, ensuring that no one takes their place in the starting eleven for granted.
Ultimately, the conversation sparked by Yalçın Ayhan’s comments reflects a broader truth: Beşiktaş stands at a crossroads where smart planning, decisive leadership, and merit‑based evaluation of players will determine whether the club returns to fighting for trophies on a consistent basis. Kartal’s performance against Antalyaspor, and his overall growth, serves as both a positive sign and a reminder that solutions are not always found solely in the transfer market. Sometimes, the answer is already in the squad – it just needs to be trusted, developed, and used in the right system.