Alexander Djiku explained why he chose Fenerbahçe!

Alexander Djiku explained why he chose to transfer to Fenerbahçe after playing for the French team Strasbourg. The Ghanaian defender, who earned praise from Fenerbahçe fans for his performance until his injury, shared significant statements with the French press. Djiku, who also impressed Fenerbahçe’s coach İsmail Kartal, made important remarks about his injury process and expressed his strong influence from the football environment in Turkey.

Here are Alexander Djiku’s statements to Foot Mercato:

FM: A few months ago, we left you as you had just left Strasbourg to join Fenerbahçe. How did you experience your summer?

Alexander Djiku: I experienced it very calmly and serenely. I knew it was a very important choice for the rest of my career. That’s why, with my brother Jenhisghan (Djiku), who is a licensed FFF agent, we took the time to think about it to make the best possible choice.

FM: Do you still keep an eye on the Alsatian club?

A.D: Yes, of course, I exchange and often watch my former teammates whenever I have the opportunity. I followed the beginning of the season; they started very well, especially in terms of results. Currently, they are a bit less performant. But I’m not worried about them because there is enough quality in this squad and this club to be at least in the top 10.

FM: Several clubs were after you. Why did you say yes to Fener?

A.D: With my advisor, we made this choice for several reasons. First of all, we were excited about the sports project presented to us. They explained to us that they wanted to build an ultra-competitive team by signing great players like Edin Dzeko, Dusan Tadic, Fred, Dominik Livakovic, to name a few. Moreover, the club was playing in a European competition, which was crucial in my choice. I had already played it with Strasbourg, and I wanted to experience it again in the short term. It is also a club that brings a lot of visibility. We saw that many players who passed through Fenerbahçe ended up in bigger clubs. I can mention Kim Min-jae, who signed with Naples, Arda Güler, who signed with Real Madrid, and Simon Kjær with FC Sevilla, for example. So, it was the right springboard in a career development logic to evolve and not stay in a comfort zone. I have also reached an age where I am mature enough. For me, it was the right time to go abroad after 200 Ligue 1 matches. Not to mention the fervor in this club, which is a real plus. The supporters are real enthusiasts who make you want to give your all. So, for all these reasons, it is logical and natural that we chose to join Fenerbahçe.

FM: How do you feel there?

A.D: I feel very good here. My family has also adapted very well here. So, we are very happy to gradually discover this city of Istanbul, which is very similar to the major European capitals.

FM: What do you think of the championship? What are the differences with Ligue 1?

A.D: First of all, I can tell you that it is an underrated championship. It is a very athletic league. I realize that there is also a lot of quality considering the players who come from the four biggest leagues, for several decades now. So, it’s a very good league that needs to be more successful on the European stage, like the Portuguese or Dutch league. I also find that there are more experienced players here compared to France. In Ligue 1, there are many more young players who are exposed in a training and trading logic, unlike here. Then, in terms of the game, it is much less closed. There is no observation time. There is a constant desire to score goals and also a lot of individualities. Whether it’s small or big teams, they rely a lot on individualities. There are fewer varied collective game projects. The level of the league is also felt in the national team, which is almost qualified for Euro 2024, ahead of Croatia and Wales.

FM: Is the atmosphere in the stadiums as good as they say?

A.D: Honestly, I have played in great atmospheres throughout my career, especially in the clubs where I played, such as Furiani in Bastia or Meinau in Strasbourg. But here, it’s really a level above. We see that the Turks are passionate. There is really incredible enthusiasm. You have to experience it to understand. What is really nice is that there are great atmospheres in all stadiums. Moreover, they are funded by the state, so they are really exceptional wherever we go. There are many supporters everywhere, especially from Fenerbahçe. I believe we are the club with the most supporters in Turkey. Honestly, the atmosphere is incredible. It is probably for this reason that last year they hosted the Champions League final again, after 2005, with the famous miracle of Istanbul (AC Milan was trailing 3-0 at halftime against Liverpool before being equalized and losing on penalties).

FM: How do you judge your personal adaptation?

A.D: My adaptation went very well because I was very well received by my teammates. I joined them in training, and I played some friendly matches before being able to start the season. I managed to show my qualities and then played regularly from the beginning of the season. This is very important when you arrive at a club. I hope to do the same when I return to the fields.

FM: Indeed, you are currently injured. How do you live with this first setback, you who are a regular starter?

A.D: It’s true that it’s complicated. We made a historic start to the season for the club. We managed to chain 19 consecutive victories in 19 matches, being the best defense in Europe. This has never happened for this club. When you’re on a good streak, you don’t necessarily want to stop. Unfortunately, these are the vicissitudes of life. This is not my first injury, and it certainly won’t be my last. In any case, I try to do everything possible in terms of nutrition, physical rehabilitation, and medical care to recover as healthily and sustainably as possible, to avoid any relapse when I return.

FM: You have also played in the Europa Conference League. What do you think of your first steps in this competition?

A.D: This was part of my ambitions. This is what I was looking for by coming here. So, I managed to find European competition at Fenerbahçe, and I am very happy about it. These are quite special moments in a player’s career to be able to play in European competition. I am very proud of it. For now, it’s going very well since we are first in our group. We will have to continue and keep this position to qualify directly for the Round of 16 and then go as far as possible because at Fenerbahçe, we must perform on all fronts.

FM: Fener has just had three matches without success; can we talk about a setback?

A.D: I don’t think we can talk about a setback. We knew that a period like this would come during the year because all streaks have an end. We are not spared from injuries at the moment. We have about nine or ten absentees, and we play every three days since mid-July, not to mention the international breaks where most teammates still play 2 more matches each break. Some already have more than 25 matches while it is mid-November. So, it is certain that there is less freshness in the team to tilt these last 3 matches in our favor. But I’m not worried. We will quickly find the path to victory because, with Coach Ismail Kartal, we are a very hardworking group, very demanding of ourselves, and with a conquering mentality. Every day, at every training session, we perfect the little details in the video, on the field, and during the team meetings, to try to lead us to the Turkish championship title.

FM: You play with Cengiz Ünder, who is also known in Ligue 1. How is it going for him?

A.D: When he arrived, he started very well. He delivered an assist to Edin Dzeko in his first match. Unfortunately, he got injured afterward. Now, he is starting to come back little by little. He has a very nice quality of the final pass, dribbling, and finishing, so we can’t wait for him to be able to benefit the team.

FM: We are in the middle of the international break; we imagine that you will keep an eye on Ghana. Does your injury worry you a few weeks before the AFCON?

A.D: Yes, I keep myself informed of everything that happens in the national team, whether it’s in training or matches. Regarding my injury, if the process follows its course, I will be back well before the start of the AFCON. I am not worried about that. It will only be necessary to chain the matches and regain the best possible form to perform because it is a goal of my season.

FM: In your opinion, who are the favorites?

A.D: For me, the favorites are Senegal, the titleholder, and Morocco, based on the World Cup they had. After that, in football, there are always surprises.

FM: In France, we discovered your compatriot Ernest Nuamah (OL). What do you think of this player? What are his strengths, and what points does he still need to improve?

A.D: Ernest is a very young player with great potential. He has many qualities like percussion, speed. He likes dribbling, one-on-one. However, he can progress in the consistency of performances and in his statistics because now we look a lot at that, even too much for my taste. However, he is a player who should progress easily in that regard, by chaining matches. He will also need some time to adapt to a new league for him, especially in a Lyon team that is in full administrative and sporting reconstruction.