Cengiz Under's phenomenal start to his Ligue 1 Uber Eats career has made the Turkish international attacker an instant favourite with the Olympique de Marseille fans.
Ünder was outstanding in the Round 4 3-1 home victory over Saint-Etienne, playing a role in all three goals. Ünder netted OM's final goal against Les Verts with a magnificently placed left-footed shot to make it three goals in his first four games in the French game, matching the starts to OM life made by Dimitri Payet in 2013 and Mario Balotelli in 2019.
Under, 24, is on loan from Roma with an option to buy, reported to be a bargain 8.4 million euros. The winger spent the 2020-2021 season on loan at Premier League Leicester City but struggled for game time, starting a single league match and coming on as a substitute in eight more matches.
The lack of Premier League minutes didn't stop Ünder being a key part of Turkey's ill-fated EURO 2020 side. Indeed, Under's 207 minutes played at the tournament were only 67 fewer than he managed in the Premier League for the Foxes all season.
Longoria: "An extraordinary player"
Blessed with great pace and a lovely left foot, Ünder is flourishing at OM, looking the perfect replacement for Florian Thuavin, who joined Mexican club Tigres at the end of his contract in the summer. Ünder is already well on the way to recording a personal best season in front of goal, aiming to beat the seven league strikes he managed for Basaksehir in 2016-2017 and Roma in 2017-2018.
Under's status as an instant Stade Vélodrome hero justifies the confident words of OM president Pablo Longoria when the Turkish international was presented as a Marseille player at the end of July. Longoria commented: "He's a player we've been following since I came in for his attacking characteristics. He's an extraordinary player. He manages to make the difference. It was a good opportunity for us. With all the offers he had, he chose OM and we had a special feeling."
Ünder has settled in rapidly into Jorge Sampaoli's 3-2-4-1 system and said pre-season: "The coach's tactics suit me. I'm a player who operates on the right but I like coming deep in order to get on a run down the line. I'm a forward but I like to take part in the build-up play and the construction in midfield."
Should Marseille maintain their exciting style and form then Ünder is bound to experience more wonderful atmospheres such as that provided by the 55,000 in attendance against Saint-Etienne. The fans were a factor in Ünder's decision to prefer OM to his other options.
Ünder: "The supporters are fervent and passionate"
Ünder said: "The supporters are fervent and passionate. That's what all the Turks say. I think the fans resemble Turkish fans. It was one of the factors that persuaded me to join along with the way the president and coach looked after me throughout the discussions. Their desire to sign me shone through."
With Pol Lirola having signed from Fiorentina, Ünder could come under pressure for his place on the right side, but his present form surely makes the Turk impossible to leave out.
