Arda Turan's statement on the Arda Güler video: Montella is protective of Arda

Eyüpspor Manager Arda Turan, one of the former captains of the A National Football Team, answered questions from journalists via an online session at the training camp located in the town of Barsinghausen, near Hannover.

Stating that he has seen both the negative and positive sides of the national team, Turan said, "As someone who has experienced both the beautiful and the negative sides of this story, it is important to be a stakeholder in it. We will all decide together what kind of story this will be. That is why I believe everyone will act according to their conscience regarding their duties. You are on a very beautiful journey. Let us all make this story a great one together. Hopefully, we will surpass 2002 and 2008," he said.

"WE MUST NOT TEAR THIS TEAM DOWN, BUT BUILD UPON IT AND CONTINUE"

Stating that the A National Football Team has very special players, Arda Turan said, "Because I trust Montella's team defense and tactical knowledge, I think they will go to very interesting places through the draw. I truly believe in them. There is a very lovely and beautiful national team.

There are very talented players. We must proceed by building. No matter what happens in this tournament, we must not tear this team down, but build upon it and continue. Semih and Arda will be very important players for this team. All these kids are talented players. There is not much difference between players anymore. I believe in it with all my heart. We are all saddened by the Portugal match. I believe we will return to a state of unity and solidarity," he stated.

"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HAKAN WILL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY WHEN THE TIME COMES"

Sharing that he called national team captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu for support after a long time, Turan said, "I love him very much. He is a very special player. I have also had respect for those who chose the other side. Players like Hakan are great examples. Hakan chose our country. Everything he has done is magnificent. Hakan wants to be together in every national match. He is one of the best midfielders in Europe. Even his presence there is a great example for the future and for the children there. We look at Hakan like a brother.

He shows great leadership. His state yesterday shows how much he cares about us. I have no doubt that Hakan will do what is necessary when the time comes. Starting with Yıldıray abi, what these players have done for the young people in the diaspora is very important. I understand his sadness. It seems this is the fate of Turkish national team captains. He will continue very well," he explained.
Arda Turan added that former national football players should be more polite when offering criticism.

"ARDA GÜLER IS ONE OF THE PLAYERS WHO WILL TAKE US TO THAT DREAM"

Stating that he does not think there is a major crisis in the national team, Turan said, "We talk to Arda Güler on Instagram sometimes. Arda is the apple of our eye. The 90-minute matches where we really need him are coming. Arda played very well in 8-10 matches at the end of the season at Real Madrid. The pitch was heavy in the Georgia match. When you look from the outside, you can do your best to protect a player like Arda.

Arda Güler is a magnificent player. We can use him effectively in matches where we have possession and play set-piece offense. Arda is one of the players who will take us to that dream. Artificial crises occur during the first crises. I don't think Arda will be affected by these. There is a magnificent diamond here. We should talk about his football and enjoy it. We need the real Arda in the round of 16 match by getting past Czechia. I think our coach will utilize him where we need him most," he expressed.

Emphasizing that every footballer must be ready for the match, Arda Turan said, "Remember our 2008 semi-final squad. I think Montella has passed good tests. I liked the first half of the Portugal match. We must all be ready for the moments. This team can achieve this culture," he said.

"MONTELLA IS PROTECTIVE OF ARDA, JUST LIKE ALL OF US"

When asked about the footage between Manager Vincenzo Montella and Arda Güler during training, Turan said, "When I read Montella's attitude, it's like, 'Are you crazy, Arda? We aren't playing you in the match, there is a Czechia match, it's very important. Go for a light jog, heaven forbid something happens to you.'

I sometimes do that to my players. Caner wants to play in every training session, I push him out of training. Montella is protective of Arda, just like all of us. Let's leave this topic here. It is difficult to read footage, especially for people who are not from within football. This is a misreading," he said.