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Mertcan Ayhan: I want to make a name for my own self
In spite of the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Eintracht Braunschweig this past Sunday (21/12), the Knappen are able to reflect on a very positive season until now, racking up 37 points so far. For Mertcan Ayhan personally, the first half of the season has also been successful, proving himself to be a more than reliable replacement for Timo Becker, who had been sidelined with a long-term injury.
Since the 2-1 win away to Arminia Bielefeld on matchday eight, the 19-year-old has been deployed on the right-hand side of the back three. In the 10 subsequent fixtures, he and the Royal Blues have shipped a mere six goals. “I was patient and waited for my chance to arrive,” told Ayhan, looking back on his first half season with the senior side. He reports on feeling sure of his ability to hold his own within the first team. Furthermore, he has not only been pleased with his personal development but also the performance of the team until this point, with Schalke set to emerge from the winter break top of the table.
I was patient and waited for my chance to arrive.
The Türkiye youth international led the Royal Blue U19s as captain during the previous campaign, and Ayhan reveals that a number of aspects of Bundesliga 2 football are noticeably more demanding: “You immediately feel the difference in the challenges and the intensity. Also in terms of the running that is required of you and the sprints, you know for sure that you’re playing senior football now.”
The more he played, the more confidence he gained, explained Ayhan, adding that he is learning lots from Nikola Katic, Hasan Kuruçay and Timo Becker. These three leaders within the team have often pulled him aside to demonstrate that which he is already doing well, while also mentioning the areas in which he could still improve.
Unwavering support from the family
Ayhan does not only receive backing from his teammates, however, since his family are often on hand to lend support. His father regularly attends training sessions in order to help analyse what went well and what not so much. “I am really pleased to have my dad there so often. My whole family show me such great backing,” said Ayhan.
The defender has also gained increased recognition away from Schalke over the past few weeks. In Türkiye in particular, he is often simply viewed as the brother of Kaan Ayhan. Mertcan tells that he is obviously proud of the performances of his brother, 12 years his senior and currently playing at Galatasaray. “But I want to make a name for my own self,” emphasised the Schalke man, who hopes to achieve this goal through good performances. With a wink, he added: “Maybe, one day, my brother will be known as the brother of Mertcan Ayhan.”
