Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez is making quite the impact at Galatasaray after leaving the Premier League in the summer.
Even by the Turkish Super Lig’s standards, this is quite the array of former Premier League benchwarmers they’ve accumulated. At Galatasaray alone, Lucas Torreira, Angelino, Hakim Ziyech, Halik Dervisoglu and Tanguy Ndombele are earning a living these days, with Davinson Sanchez following his former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate to Istanbul at the start of September.
The much-maligned Ndombele is yet to win over the famously feverish Turkish press – facing similar critcisms that came his way like an avalanche in North London – but Sanchez will not be far away from ‘fans’ favourite’ territory if a superb debut performance against Istanbul Basaksehir proves to be the rule rather than the exception.
Ex-Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez shining in Turkey
“I think Sanchez made a significant contribution to the team. Both in terms of his aerial ability and his ability of push the team forward,” smiles Galatasaray coach Ismail Kartal, his team triumphing 2-1 thanks to goals from Ziyech and former Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi (Sporx).
“(Sanchez) was eager and motivated. He also gave significant support to the team by motivating them.”
Falling out of favour at Spurs despite a fine performance on the opening day against Brentford, Sanchez should relish the prospect of regular first-team football, assuming he can handle the goldfish bowl environment created by one of Europe’s most expectant fanbases.
Sanchez superb on debut
“I was welcomed very well in Galatasaray,” Sanchez beams, given a typically feverish greeting upon his arrival in Turkey. “Playing and fighting is in my blood. I will give my best for Galatasaray.
“I came here not to wait (on the bench) but to play. To contribute to the team by showing by best performance. I want to do it.”
With four wins from their first five games, Galatasaray are second in the Super Lig table, just two adrift of bitter rivals Fenerbahce.
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