Tufan: One of my aims this season was the Euros
CITY STAR HOPES FOR TURKISH RECALL
Tufan remains hopeful of ending his two-year spell in the international wilderness by making a dramatic return to the Turkish national team for next month’s European Championships in Germany.
Tufan’s domestic campaign at Hull City may have ended in disappointment with the Tigers missing out on the Championship playoffs and boss Liam Rosenior losing his job, but the popular playmaker enjoyed the best goal-scoring season of his career with 10 goals.
The experienced campaigner, who forged a delightful partnership with fellow countryman Abdus Omur in the second half of the season, hasn’t played for his country since November 2021 but is thought to be under serious consideration to be involved in Vincenzo Montella’s expanded 26-man squad.
The head coach was at Vicarage Road last month to watch the pair in action against Watford, though, unfortunately for Tufan, he saw his penalty kick saved early on.
“Obviously I want to be there,” Tufan told the Mail. “I’ve been to two European Championships before, and I know the atmosphere, I know the emotions.
“It’s been one of my targets along with getting to the Premier League.
“One of my targets has been to get to the Euros this summer. I’ve performed and I’ve got the numbers this season, and I’m hoping to be on the plane.”
Despite Montella coming to watch the City duo, Tufan says he’s had no conversations with the manager about his possible recall, but admits the chance to restart his international career would make a huge difference to him on and off the pitch.
“We didn’t have any conversations,” he said.
“I know that the manager was there at Watford to watch me and Abdus play.
“Personally, that’s been an unlucky one for me for him to come to, but I don’t think that the decision is down to just one game.
“It’s going to be down to the whole season and I think I’ve had good, positive performances when you look at the full picture as a season and I just really want to be there. It’s a privilege to be wearing the Turkey jersey.
“I’ve had 65 caps with the senior national team and every game has been a great memory that I’m proud of, to wear that shirt again would be incredibly special for me and that’s what I want.
“I think to get back into the team would completely transform me as a person and a footballer in an incredibly positive way.”
Montella’s side kick off their Group F campaign on June 18 when they face Georgia at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund before facing Portugal at the same venue on June 22 and wrapping up against the Czech Republic in Hamburg on June 26.