Erdal Rakip has now been announced as a Crystal Palace player after a crazy few days for the young footballer. Signing for Benfica on a free transfer, Rakip travelled to London on Friday to complete a loan move to the Premier League club.
Monday morning saw reports from Portugal that Benfica were considering trying to cancel the loan after an injury to one of their midfielders, but the player’s agent Hasan Cetinkaya has explained it was all too late.
Speaking to Aftonbladet, Cetinkaya said: “Everything was written on Friday so everything was ready before the weekend’s matches. Then he started with physio this weekend. Both Palace and Benfica had matches, so it was agreed that the deal would be presented after the weekend.”
The Swedish newspaper wanted to know why it had taken so long to confirm Rakip’s move to Benfica, despite the player arriving in Lisbon early this month: “We have visited many clubs in Europe, there has been no urgency. The important thing is that it will be right for all parties. We have succeeded. Benfica is a good showcase, it’s a good club to develop in – we know that because we saw how it went for Victor Nilsson Lindelof.”
Cetinkaya represents Lindelof and has seen the defender move to Manchester United in a big money deal, so it makes sense he trusts Benfica to develop players.
On why Rakip is now at Crystal Palace, the agent explained: “They needed to strengthen the team, and Roy Hodgson has a brainstorm on Erdal. The Premier League is a dream for all players – it’s the world’s best league. We felt it was a good step. It may be a bigger step there than to Benfica, but at the same time he has everything to win. I think that one should have the policy of getting Swedish players to end up in world leagues – it is developing Swedish football.”
Aftonbladet don’t seem entirely convinced Rakip will get regular games at Palace during the loan, but Cetinkaya moved to counter that concern: “It’s a win-win. I am convinced that Erdal will get playing time. He has had a break since the season with Malmo (Swedish football ended in November), it’s not fair to require him to step in from the start right away. But he will play. We believe in this. Erdal has everything to win, he will take the chance.”
