En-Nesyri Under Fire: From Hero to Headache at Fenerbahçe
When Youssef En-Nesyri arrived in Istanbul last summer, Fenerbahçe fans thought they'd landed a lethal target man, a proven goalscorer from Sevilla who was meant to propel them to titles and European glory. For a while, he did just that – before it all went down.
The Moroccan forward lit up the Süper Lig in his early months, chalking up 26 goals and 7 assists in 47 appearances this season. From August to February, he was electric – tearing up defenses, bagging braces for fun, and even entering conversations around the world's top scorers.
But then came March. And the goals stopped.
In Sunday's derby against Beşiktaş, the 27-year-old was hauled off in the 70th minute to the sound of boos and whistles from the home fans. Fenerbahçe lost 1-0 and with it, perhaps, their grip on the title. They now trail Galatasaray by five points, and their patience is now dwindling.
Pundits aren't holding back either. Erman Özgür, speaking to TivibuSport , didn't mince his words: 'You threw away another 70 minutes of Fenerbahçe's time, saying you would save En-Nesyri in the eyes of the fans… You save yourself first.'
Since netting against Antalyaspor on March 2, En-Nesyri has failed to find the back of the net. Even José Mourinho, who publicly backed the striker, is feeling the heat.
'En-Nesyri scored 26 goals without taking penalties. He went through a challenging period during Ramadan, where he lost some of his form, but he is starting to get back to his best. He has proven that he is regaining his physical condition. He will play a key role in the remaining seven matches of the season, without a doubt,' said the Portuguese boss earlier this month.
That faith, though, has yet to bear fruit.
Despite the slump, En-Nesyri remains a man in demand. West Ham and Saudi giants Al-Nassr are rumoured to be circling, and with a contract until 2026, Fenerbahçe may well look to cash in this summer.
So, can En-Nesyri rediscover his killer flair before the season ends, or has his time in Kadıköy already run its course? Tags: FenerbahceJose MourinhoTurkeyYoussef En-Nesyri
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