“In Portugal, this interview was not published.” CNN commentator denounces Benfica’s power in the media

Regarding Kokçu’s interview with the Dutch press, a CNN commentator denounces Benfica’s control of the media in Portugal.

Luís Vilar stated this Saturday on the television channel that the club would never allow Orkun Kökçü’s interview to be done in a Portuguese media outlet.

“Why was this interview given to a foreign media outlet? Why wasn’t it given to a Portuguese person? Because obviously this interview wasn’t published in Portugal. Because Benfica would know before the interview. Unfortunately, things work like that. The interview wasn’t going to come out,” he stated.

The Turkish player, who cost Benfica 25 million euros this summer, gave an interview to “De Telegraaf”, a Dutch newspaper, in which he said that he did not feel valued at the club.

“From the beginning they never made me feel important. Not even for the coach! But I’m not the type of person to bang my fist on the table or make demands, but perhaps I was too modest precisely because of the role he gave me”, said Orkun Kokçu.

The player, who arrived in the summer transfer market from Feyenoord, in the Netherlands, also made a negative comparison to the role that Roger Schmidt has given him in relation to the one he had at his previous club.

“That I would have a similar role to the one I had at Feyenoord, where I defined the passing lines and the directions of the field and always wanted to play forward. Even if I had to chase and take down the opponent’s entire defense. I would be an important player for him, the club also told me the same. The coach didn’t need to say much about what he wanted from me. It seemed quite logical to me how I should play for Benfica. I felt more: he [Schmidt] He always saw me in the Netherlands, I played great games against him, ‘he’ll know what to do with my qualities’, I thought.”

This season, Kokçu has played 34 games and scored three goals for Benfica. Last season, he registered 12 goals in 46 games.