Fenerbahçe, under the guidance of manager Mourinho, conclude their preparations for the upcoming season in Portugal
Fenerbahçe, under the guidance of manager Jose Mourinho, concluded a two-week pre-season camp in Albufeira, Portugal. The camp served as a key preparation phase ahead of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.
During the camp, the team played four friendly matches, securing victories over Portimonense, Uniao de Leiria, and Al-Ittihad, and losing to Benfica. Mourinho tested the team's adaptability across multiple systems, including 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, three-man backlines, 3-5-2, and 3-4-3.
Striker Youssef En-Nesyri showed improved fitness and finishing across the friendlies, silencing last season's critics. Midfielder Fred Rodrigues looked in control throughout the matches, while Dutch defender Jayden Oosterwolde, returning from a long injury spell, drew praise for his strong positioning and defensive intelligence. Irfan Can Kahveci and Sebastian Szymanski were effective in creating chances and scoring goals.
Defender Archie Brown and forward Jhon Duran stood out among the new signings, with Brown showing maturity and seamless integration and Duran impressing with his movement and link-up play. Mourinho was forced to field players out of position to compensate for the lack of depth.
The club's failure to adequately replace key departures has left the squad looking thin, particularly in central defense and on the left wing. The starting goalkeeper position remains unclear, as Mourinho rotated between Dominik Livakovic, Irfan Can Eğribayat, and Tarık Çetin without settling on a clear No. 1.
Ismail Yüksek picked up an injury during training and was sidelined for all the friendlies, with his recovery timeline uncertain. Another friendly against Lazio is scheduled for Wednesday.
On the transfer front, Fenerbahçe has made several key signings. Cengiz Ünder (right winger, loan from LAF), Ognjen Mimović (right back, loan from Zenit), and Milan Škriniar (central defender, loan from PSG) have joined the club. The club has also promoted or signed young talents such as Çağrı Fedai (right striker) and Zeki Dursun (left winger) on loan or free-agent bases.
Contract renewals include the extension of Scottie Wilbekin and a veteran forward (name not specified), signaling stability in core experienced players. Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius remains secured until 2026.
Unresolved issues reportedly include a collapsed "big man" signing late in the transfer window and ongoing interest in targets like Rokas Jokubaitis and Alize Johnson, which point to challenges in finalizing frontcourt reinforcements. The squad is in a phase of restructuring to cover the gaps left by key players’ departure while integrating new signings and youth prospects, despite some lingering uncertainties in recruitment.
Club president Ali Koç, general secretary Burak Kızılhan, and executives Hakan Safi and Kemal Danabaş visited the team during the camp. A strategic meeting was held between Mourinho, football director Devin Özek, and football coordinator Berke Çelebi to discuss squad planning and the ongoing transfer window.
Fenerbahçe's transfer plans and squad status for the 2025-26 season show active management of key departures and targeted signings amid some unresolved issues from their pre-season. Reinforcements will be essential if Fenerbahçe hope to compete on both domestic and European fronts.
[1] Fenerbahçe official website
[2] Turkish Football News
- With their new signings Miljan Škriniar, Cengiz Ünder, and Ognjen Mimović, Fenerbahçe aims to strengthen their defense and sports-analysis reveals their intention to compete on both domestic and European fronts.
- Despite securing victories in friendly matches during their pre-season camp in Portugal, Fenerbahçe faces challenges in their central defense and on the left wing due to the lack of depth, requiring sports-analysis and transfer reinforcements.
- As Fenerbahçe continues its strategic standings and squad planning for the 2025-26 season, key changes are underway, including the addition of young talents, contract renewals, and the pursuit of targeted signings in crucial positions such as center forward and point guard, aiming to address unresolved issues and restore the team's defensive capabilities in sports-analysis.
