Fenerbahce is one of the best teams in the world, although they are playing in a ‘lower’ league some might say than the infamous Premier League in England, Bundesliga in Germany, or Ligue 1 in France. Now that Mourinho, one of the most well-known coaches of all time in the footballing realm, has moved to Fenerbahce to be the manager, he has his sights set on a talented defender in the back line for the Red Devils for next season.
Will Mourinho be able to capture a player from his ex-club, or will he have to deal with the squad that he currently has? If anyone has sway and pull in the world of soccer, it is this infamous Spanish coach.
Mourinho Wants to Bolster Fenerbahce for Next Season
Fenerbahce has a few players in their cross-heirs to sign for next season, including a talented Manchester United defender who can help the Turkish side avoid letting in goals and win the Turkish Super Lig. Victor Lindelof, one of the most steadfast and consistent members of the back line for Man U this last season, could be headed across the seas to Turkey if Mourinho has his way.
The Swedish international player is versatile, technical, and tactical, and can lead his team in tough scenarios. He has been an extremely consistent and reliable player for Manchester United, having amassed nearly 260 appearances since his first signing.
Lindelof laid at Vasteras SK in Sweden from 2009-2012, making 50 appearances for his squad and impressing scouts before moving to the Benfica B team in Spain. There, he made nearly 100 appearances and earned a spot on the senior team in 2013. Lindelof played in Spain for four seasons, amassing almost 150 appearances between the Benfica B and senior teams.
Then, in 2017, he made his big move to Manchester United, where he has stayed ever since. He has also made almost 70 appearances for the Sweden senior squad since his first call-up in 2016.
Now, Mourinho might try to get this talented center back to make the move to the Turkish Super Lig. It wouldn’t be completely unreasonable – Lindelof is almost 30 years old, so he could be looking to go elsewhere and make a move that would be good for him financially. But, he is still technically in his prime, so heading to Fenerbahce might be a better decision in a few years when he starts to slow down.
Fenerbahce Looking Forward
Fenerbahce did well in the Super Lig last year, placing second, losing out only to Galatasaray by 3 points. If they had won one more match, they would have won on goal differential, besting the top-placed team by two goals at the end of the year. They beat the third-place team, Trabzonspor, by a whopping 30+ points, showing just how big the gap is between the best two teams and the rest.
Other key players currently signed for Fenerbahce who will most likely return next year include Dzeko as the striker, Fred in the midfield, Batshuayi as a winger, Tadic as another attacker, Soyuncu as a stalwart defender, and Dijku as a member of the back line. Lindelof would surely slot in right next to Bonucci, Soyuncu, Dijku, and possibly Oosterwolde if he makes the move to Mourinho’s team.
Lindelof is reportedly worth around $14 million, but Fenerbahce might only be able to offer around $8 million for the Manchester defender.
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
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