REDSQUARE: Star Quality!
ON the day that Tuncay Sanli signed for Boro, 60 per cent of the visitors to the official website were from Turkey.That alone should have given some indication of the kind of player the club were getting. Thousands of Fenerbahce Fans switched allegiance to Boro as they followed their favourite player to his new English club.
After a slow start to life in the Barclays Premier League Tuncay has now started to shine and show why he is the David Beckham of Turkish football.
It has been a difficult start for you, but are you happy to be here?
Of course I am glad to have joined Middlesbrough. I always wanted to play in the Premier League and I know that this club can be one of the influential teams in the league. I have expressed how happy I am to be here since the first day that I got here.
How are you settling in? Have your teammates helped you?
In the beginning I was staying in a hotel but now the club have helped me find a house. I can say that all my teammates have made me feel welcome. We have very good relations,it is like a family.
When I arrived here Gareth Southgate met me in the airport, it made me very happy and confused that he would take the time to do that. George Boateng is doing his best to help me to adapt to the English lifestyle.
He helps me with everything. My other team mates have recommended the best places to go like restaurants and cinemas.
It must be difficult not being able to speak the language, are you learning English at the moment?
It is hard but exciting in another way as I try to learn and understand. I like to overcome challenges and this is something else I want to achieve. I believe that one day I will speak fluent English. I am learning at the moment from a very good teacher. I also like to learn by myself using books, newspapers and magazines.
Middlesbrough has a squad of players from many different countries, all with different cultures, so I dont expect to have any problems, especially as I want a new challenge on and off the pitch too.
Do you find yourself shouting instructions in Turkish on the pitch and do you understand the shouts your teammates make?
In exercises and on the pitch I dont speak Turkish. I’ve played in several international tournaments with Fenerbahce and the Turkish national team so I know lots of football instructions in English. In the matches I try to react in English like my team mates.
How are you adapting to playing in the Premier League, is it more difficult than you thought or are you getting used to it now?
Before I came here,while I was watching Premier League matches on TV, I saw the exciting football being played in this league. I like struggle, fight and to play with my heart and I think this league is the best for my football style.
It isn’t easy to play in the Premier League but day by day I’m getting used to it. I think if you have belief in yourself as a player and you work hard then there is no reason that you cannot achieve success.
Has it been difficult going from being such a big star in Turkey to being virtually unknown in the UK?
No, it has never been difficult. In my football career being the star of a team has never been important to me. If you want to achieve big success then you must play for your team. I am a team player and I believe in playing with my heart and doing my best.
If my talents contribute to my team winning games then that is the most important thing and means everything to me.
I hope to continute scoring and make the supporters happy.
We have unbelievable fans, they always support us and believe in us every game. I know that we will achieve historical success in the Premier League and I want to be a part of the team.
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