Besiktas this Monday, with the Istanbul-based club officially removing five players from its squad, notably four African stars, alongside French right-back Valentin Rosier.
The excluded players comprise Cameroonian striker Vincent Aboubakar, Ivorian central defender Eric Bailly, Cameroonian midfielder Jean Onana, Algerian winger Rachid Ghezzal, and Valentin Rosier.
The club’s general coordinator, Samet Aybaba, justified this decision citing “poor performance and incompatibility within the team.”
Besiktas’s recent downturn, losing four of their last seven matches across various competitions, including a disheartening 1-3 derby defeat against Fenerbahce, seems to have prompted this drastic move by the Süper Lig’s 5th-placed side.
While the decision came as a shock, it was somewhat anticipated regarding Bailly, who featured in only eight matches and was involved in a contentious incident a few weeks ago.
Similarly, Onana, with just ten appearances, has been grappling with challenges since arriving last summer.
Ghezzal, a member of the club since 2021, had lost his starting spot a month ago, although his exclusion may have been unexpected.
The severity of this decision underscores Besiktas’ intent to address their squad’s dynamics and performance standards in light of recent struggles.
While harsh, it portrays the club’s commitment to taking swift and resolute action to rejuvenate their form.
The abrupt exclusion of these prominent players, particularly amid a crucial phase of the season, not only reflects Besiktas’s discontent with performances but also emphasizes their determination to instigate immediate change.
This decision is set to reverberate within Besiktas and beyond, sparking discussions about the club’s future moves and the impacted players’ career trajectories within and beyond the Süper Lig.
