Ex-Schalke player Levent Mercan has developed into a real leading player in Turkey. A tactical trick by Andrea Pirlo also played a decisive role in this.
In 2018/2019, FC Schalke 04’s U19s secured first place in the A-Junior Bundesliga West for the last time, with one more point than Borussia Dortmund. However, the team was not rewarded with a major title, losing to BVB in the semi-finals of the German championship (2:2, 0:2).
From this successful team, one name in particular remains in Schalke’s memory: Malick Thiaw. The now 22-year-old made it into the first team and joined AC Milan in the summer of 2022 for just under nine million euros. In Italy, the central defender blossomed into a regular and even a German international.
Mercan, Kutucu and Aydin with important roles in Turkey
But Thiaw is not the only one who has been able to fulfill his dream of playing professional soccer. In addition to Lukas Ahrend (SSV Ulm 1848) and Sava-Arangel Cestic (Heracles Almelo), three players from this age group found their fortune in Turkey. Mehmet Aydin now plays regularly for Trabzonspor, Ahmet Kutucu is the top scorer in the second division for Eyüpspor and Levent Mercan is under contract with Fatih Karagümrük.
The latter in particular has caused quite a stir – although Mercan has barely featured for Schalke between 2019 and 2021. The Recklinghausen native only made six substitute appearances and one 45-minute start in midfield (one goal).
In the summer of 2021, he went on loan to Fatih Karagümrük in the Süper Lig, where he impressed so much in 22 appearances, albeit mostly as a substitute, that he was signed permanently the following summer.
Mercan becomes a regular after Pirlo’s switch
In his first year under contract with Fatih Karagümrük, legend Andrea Pirlo made a change as coach that would rapidly accelerate Mercan’s career. After a mixed start to the season with a few brief appearances, the Italian, who was still coaching Karagümrük last season, moved the actual playmaker back to the left side of defense. Mercan immediately established himself there, missing only two games and otherwise always starting in the starting eleven.
In the new season, Mercan is also set as a left-back and started in the first 13 games. After nominal captain Salih Dursun made his last starting appearance for the time being, the 22-year-old even took over the armband and has led the team, currently 13th in the Süper Lig, onto the pitch in the last twelve games.
He has increased his market value to three million euros so far (via transfermarkt.de), making him the most valuable professional at Fatih Karagümrük. For comparison: at Schalke, he would currently be the second most valuable player after Assan Ouedraogo (six million).
National team? “Would make me very proud”
It is clear that these achievements have not gone unnoticed in Turkey. Mercan has even been linked with the Turkish national team. After the narrow 2:1 defeat at leaders Fenerbahce Istanbul at the weekend, the Turkish portal “Ajansspor” quoted him: “Making the national team would make me very proud. It’s what everyone wants to achieve. But I’m thinking of Karagümrük right now, we’re on the right track.”
Perhaps Mercan’s very personal path will lead him back to Germany or even to Gelsenkirchen in the summer of 2024 – but then in the jersey of the Turkish national team.