In a press conference held in St Johann, Austria, Beşiktaş’s Captain outlined his team’s goals for the upcoming season: 

“This season, we have a new coach and number of proven international starts on our team. It feels like a brand new team, so we want to make fresh start this year. We made an awful start into the League last season and never fully recovered. But this season it is going to be different, because we are stronger and more experienced. As you will soon see, this team is going to give more than hundred percent on the pitch and try to win every match it plays. We are planning to go as far as we can both in Europe and at home. Our two main goals are to make the Europa League final and win the Turkish Super League. Beşiktaş is a big club and nothing less than those will satisfy us.   

Pre-season trainings are always tiresome because you try to build yourself physically and get in shape in a very short time. But since we are all professionals, no one is complaining. Every player is working hard to get himself a place in the starting lineup. These hard trainings will bear their fruits when the season starts.
I believe, under our Manager Schuster we’ll play a more offensive game this season. This doesn’t mean that we’ll ignore our defense. Together with our midfield, both lines will do their best to display the same level performance. Nevertheless, will be known as an offensive team this year, and those who come out to watch us we’ll definitely enjoy our play. The excitement will not subside until the referee blows his final whistle, so you’d better go out and book your seats in advance before it’s too late.  Mr. Schuster has been treating everyone equally, as he who works hard we’ll get the jersey. In short, you are going to see a fighting team out there this season.”

In regard to Beşiktaş’s new transfers Qaresma and Hilbert, İbrahim Üzülmez continued:
“No one can question the careers of Hilbert ve Quaresma. If you want to learn more about them, just surf the internet. It’s great to have them on board. They are going to be our biggest assets next season.”

Beşiktaş’s Captain also touched on the foreign players playing in Turkey: “I have nothing against them; you can have as many of them as you like on your team, but they must be better than the Turkish players they replace. If you bring second class international players who are nearing the end of their carriers here, it is not fair to young Turkish players. They also hinder the advancement of Turkish football.  Actually, those old timers have nothing left to offer but their names. Fans get angry and disappointed after watching them once. They not only waste your club’s money but cripple your team’s future.  I am for the quality players who can give something to their team and set example to others, especially to young ones.”

At the end of his speech, Üzülmez talked about Beşiktaş’s young players: “They are this team’s future and I’ve always enjoyed playing with them. I am trying to be a role model for them with my performance on and off the pitch. Believe me, they are good learners. I’ve been here for the past 11 years and I’ve become a part of this club. It sure is going to be difficult to part from her.”