Having suffered a nasty anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while training at Crystal Palace, Everton striker Cenk Tosun appeared to have suffered another major setback in his career in English football.
Tosun had arrived from Turkish side Beskitas for a reported £27m fee in 2018, but has disappointingly managed just 10 goals in 53 appearances for the Toffees.
The Turkish striker had been on loan at the Eagles to bolster their striking options after falling down the pecking order at Goodison Park before the debilitating setback, which ruled him for several months earlier this year.
However, Tosun has hit the ground running in his post-recovery spell, with a goal and an assist against Croatia in Turkey’s 3-3 draw last night. Captaining his country, Tosun coolly netted from the penalty spot after a foul from Croatia’s Domagoj Vida before later setting up Leicester City’s Cengiz Under, who is on loan from Serie A side Roma.
The 29-year-old former Besiktas hitman earned his 43rd senior cap as he looks to put his recent injury anguish behind him. The striker has also appeared as a substitute in Everton’s last two outings in the Premier League.
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Finding the net again will be vital for Tosun as he looks to rebuild his confidence. Having an impact against a strong Croatian side will renew his faith in both his scoring and playmaking abilities.
He exhibited a good attitude after his injury. In a tweet quoted via Sky Sports shortly after the news of his Palace injury broke in March, Tosun said: “Sometimes not everything goes as you want in life […] But; the important thing is not to fall on the ground, but to stand up after falling down. No one should doubt that I will return from this injury in the strongest possible way.”
Tosun’s latest performance should help to go far in achieving that mission, and his upbeat attitude is commendable. Maybe he can yet turn around his fortunes and come good on the fee that Everton paid for him.
