Turkish League

[harry94]

Had an interesting thought this morning. Saw an article discussing Turkish football and the problems they have been facing recently. Massive crowd drops and trouble getting players paid on time.

Country of around 70 million and just by going through wikipedia from first and second tier teams, there are a fair few players who have EU passports in some way (links to Hungary and Greece in working agreements and some Swiss and Germans).

Guessing that after the majority of our squad is made up, we will be looking at trialists from all over and I'm wondering if we'll maybe see decent players from Turkey popping up in pre-season. Reckon that teams over there will be especially keen on loan deals to ease their financial issues.

Doubt I need to say this but hopefully, we're looking at signing players from all over and there will be a good bit of effort in setting up links again.

[IstanbulDee]

Its not just Turkey's football thats in the sh*t, the economy is well f**ked also.

Just finished a short report on the value of the Turkish Lira versus the USD, currently at an all time (recent years) low which from a football perspective means clubs will be struggling to pay (foreign) players who are generally on either a dollar or euro contract.

If they don't sort the economy out then there'll be an exodus of players from the Turkish clubs, its bad enough just now with guys not getting paid but it'll be worse when the clubs can't afford to buy the EUR or USD for the wage bill.

The introduction of the Passolig ticketing system mentioned in the article was politically motivated and it alone has reduced attendances by an enormous amount.  Folks have also got a lot less money in Turkey, everyone is feeling the pinch if you're not paid in EUR, GBP or USD.  Fuel prices, fresh meat etc, all going though the roof so something has to give and for many its the football.   

ID

[harry94]

Its not just Turkey's football thats in the s**t, the economy is well f***ed also.

Just finished a short report on the value of the Turkish Lira versus the USD, currently at an all time (recent years) low which from a football perspective means clubs will be struggling to pay (foreign) players who are generally on either a dollar or euro contract.

If they don't sort the economy out then there'll be an exodus of players from the Turkish clubs, its bad enough just now with guys not getting paid but it'll be worse when the clubs can't afford to buy the EUR or USD for the wage bill.

The introduction of the Passolig ticketing system mentioned in the article was politically motivated and it alone has reduced attendances by an enormous amount.  Folks have also got a lot less money in Turkey, everyone is feeling the pinch if you're not paid in EUR, GBP or USD.  Fuel prices, fresh meat etc, all going though the roof so something has to give and for many its the football.   

ID

Didn't realise that players are paid in a range of currency options there. Always thought there are some cracking players in that league (a few Rangers boys went there post admin/liquidation) and if there were ever a scenario where it would be easy to sign players with work rules being relaxed, I'd be right into the market.

YAWN P&B for this pish.

It's disgraceful when users try to engage intelligible conversation. Feel sorry for all those who stumble onto a thread like this and are obliged to participate. Isn't really fair on them. I apologise for the inconvinience you have been caused.

[chomp my root]

He'll be back once he's worked that last bit out Harry. 

[Derry Drummer]

Hate to say it but Shift key is a perfect example of a decent young player to come from Turkey.

Bit thuggish but I would take him.

[chomp my root]

Hate to say it but Shift key is a perfect example of a decent young player to come from Turkey.

Bit thuggish but I would take him.

Haven't heard "shift key", is that copyrighted to you DD ? Good one, anyway. 

[Derry Drummer]

Haven't heard "shift key", is that copyrighted to you DD ? Good one, anyway. 

No bash on...

©DerryDRUMMER2015

[IstanbulDee]

Didn't realise that players are paid in a range of currency options there. Always thought there are some cracking players in that league (a few Rangers boys went there post admin/liquidation) and if there were ever a scenario where it would be easy to sign players with work rules being relaxed, I'd be right into the market.

The Turkish lira is such a volatile currency that even Turks don't keep their nest eggs in it - dollars and euros being the preferred currencies.  Most foreign workers (in any trade) try to get a foreign currency contract, mine is in GBP but I've had both EUR and USD contracts over the years.  

Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller, Alan McGregor and Michael Stewart are probably the highest profile Scottish players to have gone there in recent years and none of them settled very well.  Performance wise, only McGregor did the business as first pick keeper for BeÅŸiktaÅŸ in 2012/3.

Other than McGregor, all three had issues with getting paid (not unusual in Turkey) and in Millers case, living in Bursa must have been a nightmare!

Similar to the Scottish boys not settling, Turkish players don't seem to travel well.  National squad generally made up by guys from the top three or four domestically with the odd few from elsewhere.

Hate to say it but Shift key is a perfect example of a decent young player to come from Turkey.

Bit thuggish but I would take him.

Çiftçi might have been born in Turkey but he's a Dutch national and I think thats where he was developed as a player, didn't even have a Turkish passport when he got called up for the national team I believe.  

Definitely got anger issues, not so sure I'd want him as he is.

ID

[Bloomogg]

Depending on contract type,  though most favour Cyprus Contracts, I get paid in Sterling, Euro or dollars, depends which currency I choose, expect footballers be no different.

[dblair]

Wish I could choose currency the now, Norwegian Krone has plummeted the last 6 months 

[MainStandMenace]

Çiftçi might have been born in Turkey but he's a Dutch national and I think thats where he was developed as a player, didn't even have a Turkish passport when he got called up for the national team I believe.  

 ID

disne seem to bother the Turks about the old passport nonsense eh lol

Im sure they called up an Englishman through the grandparent rule?.. He was a premiership player no too far back, no shout of getting an England cap so went for it. anyone mind his name?

[chomp my root]

Çiftçi might have been born in Turkey but he's a Dutch national and I think thats where he was developed as a player, didn't even have a Turkish passport when he got called up for the national team I believe.  

 ID

disne seem to bother the Turks about the old passport nonsense eh lol

Im sure they called up an Englishman through the grandparent rule?.. He was a premiership player no too far back, no shout of getting an England cap so went for it. anyone mind his name?

Are you thinking of Muzzy Izzet ?