Sergen Yalçın led the Turkish National Football Team through their opening training session in Istanbul ahead of UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belgium and France, as reported by Hürriyet.
- Injury Monitoring: Aral Şimşir’s continued individual rehabilitation limits immediate attacking versatility in tight spaces.
The squad gathered at the TFF Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities to begin preparations for UEFA Nations League Group 1. A Spor noted that players with heavy weekend club workloads completed regeneration work inside the Ebubekir Uçar Sports Hall. Meanwhile, the rest of the group stepped onto the Turkish Airlines Training Pitch under Yalçın’s direct supervision.
The session started with standard warm-ups before transitioning into 5-and-2 passing drills. The workout concluded with tight-space game simulations designed to sharpen quick decision-making under high-press scenarios. Team management monitored the opening steps closely, with Board Member Responsible for the National Team Tahir Ediz Kıray present at the facility.
The team will continue preparations on Tuesday, November 10, at 17.15 at the TFF Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities, with the opening 15 minutes open to the media.
Son Dakika reported that pundit Rıdvan Dilmen questioned the exclusion of right-back Mert Müldür. “Mert Müldür konusunda kesinlikle kadroda yer alması gerekiyordu,” Dilmen stated on TV8, pointing out a lack of natural right-back cover behind Zeki Çelik.
Dilmen also shared positive views on Enes Ünal returning from a cruciate ligament injury, calling him a valuable player, and noted that omitting Kerem Aktürkoğlu due to poor form is normal since out-of-form players can return later.
Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız missed out due to ongoing injury concerns, sitting atop the valuation list at 75 million euros. Additional notable exclusions included Kerem Aktürkoğlu at 18 million euros and Yusuf Akçiçek at 14 million euros, alongside Demir Ege Tıknaz from Braga and Başar Önal from Lille, both valued at 10 million euros each. Semih Kılıçsoy, Ümit Akdağ, and Mert Müldür were also among the unselected names, with Mert Müldür drawing attention through a post on his Instagram account after the squad announcement.
Arda Okan Kurtulan, who plays for Göztepe and has an 8 million euro market value, could not be included because his paperwork processes could not be completed in time.
| Player | Club | Market Value (EUR) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenan Yıldız | Juventus | 75 million euros | Injured / Unselected |
| Kerem Aktürkoğlu | Unspecified | 18 million euros | Unselected |
| Yusuf Akçiçek | Unspecified | 14 million euros | Unselected |
| Demir Ege Tıknaz | Braga | 10 million euros | Unselected |
| Başar Önal | Lille | 10 million euros | Unselected |
| Arda Okan Kurtulan | Göztepe | 8 million euros | Unselected (Paperwork delayed) |
| İrfan Can Kahveci | Fenerbahçe | N/A | Unselected (5 goals, 3 assists this season) |
Preparation continues at the Hasan Doğan facilities ahead of a demanding international window. The team hosts Belgium in Izmir on November 12, followed by a demanding away fixture against France on November 15. With treatment ongoing for individual programs like Aral Şimşir’s, Yalçın must continue his team’s preparations for the upcoming matches.
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