Player of the season nominees - Burak Yilmaz

2012-13: Burak’s season

After signing for the Cimbom, he became the second player to play for all of Turkey’s big four – Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Trabzonspor. The big question, going into the season, was if he could replicate his Trabzonspor form at Galatasaray or if it would be a repeat of the Fenerbahce story.

He missed the first two matches of the season through suspension but once he had officially made the first XI, his scoring boots were well and truly on. He went on to score 24 goals in 30 league matches, finishing as the top scorer for the second season running, five goals more than nearest challenger Kalu Uche of Kasimpasa.

If his domestic performances were exceptional, then his continental exploits were even more so. Although Galatasaray found themselves at the bottom of Group H of the Champions League after two games, they rallied to finish second after winning three and drawing one of their remaining four games. And Burak was the source of the rallying cry as he scored in all of those four games. He led the way, scoring a hat-trick against CFR Cluj and the lone goal in the memorable win over Manchester United.

He continued that form into the knockout stages as Gala met Schalke. In the first leg, he scored a delightful goal by flicking the ball with his heel over Schalke captain Benedikt Höwedes, and firing an unstoppable shot past Timo Hildebrand. He also scored the second of Galatasaray’s goals in the 3-2 second leg win. In the quarter-finals, Burak and Co met Ronaldo and Co and the Turkish Express was derailed. Burak failed to score in the 0-3 loss in the first leg and then missed the second leg through suspension. Although Galatasaray failed, Burak had a fantastic individual campaign, scoring 8 goals in the 9 games that he appeared in. He had led the scoring charts for most of the tournament, before Robert Lewandowski outstripped him with his four-goal haul in the semi-finals.

Burak Yilmaz celebrates against Fenerbahce

To put Burak’s achievements into perspective, we just have to consider this. As The Daily Mail’s John Drayton puts it: “In fewer minutes, in a far-less talented team, and having cost Galatasaray only €5 million (£4.3m), he has scored as many goals as Real Madrid’s £80m Ronaldo.”

Burak also appeared in four matches for the Turkish national team in 2012-13, scoring 2 goals. At the end of the season, Burak’s record read: 47 matches, 34 goals and 9 assists. He averaged around a goal in every 107 minutes. Of those 34 goals, 14 came from his right boot, 8 from his left, 7 from his head and one each from the penalty spot and a direct free kick. Three goals were simple tap-ins.

What next?

Now that his phenomenal first season is over, Burak’s credentials are flying around all over Europe. He is reportedly being pursued by a host of top clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina. It remains to be seen if Galatasaray will sell their prized asset. One theory is that the Istanbul giants may look for a sale as there have been quite a lot of reports about their financial problems. Burak is 27 years old now – arguably the peak of a footballer’s career – and a move abroad now may well turn to be good for his career too.

Here is a video showing all of Burak Yilmaz’s goals for Galatasaray:

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