Cenk Tosun is continuing his outstanding form since leaving Everton with the Premier League flop scoring twice in Besiktas’ Istanbul derby victory over Fenerbahce.
There was no shortage of hand-wringing at the Vodafone Arena when it emerged that Wout Weghorst would be cutting short an impressive loan spell in order to secure a dream move to Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United during the January transfer window.
In hindsight, there was nothing really to worry about.
In Tosun, Besiktas had a modern-day club legend waiting in the wings. A man who hoovered up three Super Lig winners’ medals during two previous spells at Besiktas picking up where he left off since his Everton contract expired in July 2022.
Tosun took his tally to 15 goals for the season with a brace away at rivals Fenerbahce last time out. Those 15 goals, meanwhile, have come in just 16 starts.
Cenk Tosun can’t stop scoring for Besiktas after Everton exit
Everton could only dream of such a remarkable goals-per-game record during Tosun’s highly-underwhelming spell at Goodison Park; a £27 million signing under Sam Allardyce leaving for nothing after failing to make anything like a lasting impression on the blue half of Merseyside.
“I want to play for teams that are fighting for championships and those who have a European goal. I love that competitive excitement, I miss that excitement,” Tosun said when bidding farewell to Everton a year ago.
“It’s not about money. I miss the title race. That’s why I’m going to a competitive team with goals. For me, these conditions do not exist in England.”
Unfortunately for Tosun, it would be a stretch to suggest he is enjoying a veritable ‘title race’ at Besiktas. Senol Gunes side may be third in the table but they are also 11 points behind runaway leaders Galatasaray. His dramatic return to form after so many years on the Everton bench is, at least, putting smiles on faces in Istanbul.
“Cenk has had serious injuries. (But) the most important thing is that you keep your determination,’ Gunes tells Gazete Futbol of his veteran centre-forward.
“He needs Besiktas and Besiktas needs him. He played extremely well.”
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