Ryan Kent’s life after Rangers is not exactly going to plan with the winger left out by Fenerbahce during Sunday’s 1-0 Turkish Super Lig win away at Ankaragucu.
If a debut goal against Zimbru Chisinau in the Europa League qualifiers represented the dream start to Ryan Kent’s Fenerbahce career, it certainly hasn’t taken long for the honeymoon period to pass the summer signing by.
Kent, released by Rangers upon the expiry of his contract in July, has played only 85 minutes of Fener’s first three domestic games. And he was nowhere to be seen on Sunday; left out of the squad as Ismail Kartal’s Super Lig challengers took a one-point lead at the top of the table.
“We have a large squad,” Kartal told BeIN Sports at full-time. “We’ll use different squads in the next matches. We have injuries, we have few players in some areas, so we will balance the team.
“We made such a decision with Ryan Kent. Other players you do not expect may not be able to make the squad.”
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Ryan Kent left out after Rangers exit
According to Turkish reporter Senad Ok, Kartal wanted another defensive midfielder in his squad against Ankaragucu, meaning Kent was forced to give way for Miguel Crespo. But, still, the fact that it was the summer signing from Rangers left at home – instead of Josh King, Cengiz Under or matchwinner Bright Osayi-Samuel – doesn’t appear to bode particularly well for a player who has been included in Kartal’s starting XI for just two of the last nine games in all competitions.
Reports suggesting that Fenerbahce were considering sending Kent out on loan to Hull City before Friday’s transfer deadline may have come to nothing. But with speculation over his future already swirling, and with Kartal’s squad selection giving the impression that there are four other wingers ahead of him in the pecking order, it’s tempting to wonder where things go from here.
Fenerbahce’s president admitted recently that the spent six months chasing Ryan Kent. As things stand, it would be a stretch to suggest he’s been worth the wait.