Cenk Tosun’s loan is working out so far for Everton [Opinion]

Swapping Goodison Park for Turkish football may superficially seem to be a step back for Cenk Tosun in the eyes of some Everton fans, but the experienced striker is doing right by the club in the process.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a return to Turkey for much of his time at Goodison Park since his £27m move to Everton in 2018.

With the Toffees having sanctioned Tosun’s loan exit, it is perhaps unsurprising that Turkish clubs were the fastest to exhibit the most fervent interest, but the lure of cult hero status at Besiktas and a familiarity with the club was always likely to have a strong allure to the striker.

To that end, the Black Eagles secured the signature of their former talisman on loan until the end of the season, offering a chance for Tosun to re-exhibit the form which secured his move to the Premier League in the first place.

Besiktas delivered a taste of Turkish delight, with the prolific form and leadership of Tosun forming the backbone of their 3-0 thrashing of Genclerbirligi. Two goals off the bench in the dying embers of the game are indicative of the quality he can offer when at his sharpest.

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The years ahead of Tosun in his career are increasingly dwindling as he approaches 30, though Besiktas represents a fresh opportunity for the Turkey international.

Likely bereft of confidence after his poor spell on Merseyside in which he managed just 11 goals in 58 appearances, Everton can be just as much the beneficiaries of Tosun’s loan as him and Besiktas.

His one goal on loan at Crystal Palace last year was a snippet of brilliance before a serious injury ended his hopes of a Premier League revival.

If Tosun continues this form and harks back to a bygone era in which he had outgrown the Turkish Super Lig, Everton should surely be able to recoup a sizeable portion of their initial fee as the striker potentially puts himself firmly in the shop window for a permanent move.