Eintracht's Can Uzun: "It's a lot of fun"

At just 19, Uzun's journey to becoming a full Türkiye international and first choice for an Eintracht side set to challenge for domestic and European honours this season has been a hyper-focused one.

A teenager who has always been open and clear about his lofty goals in the game, Uzun has rapidly progressed from Jahn Regensburg promise to Nuremberg fan favourite and on to become Eintracht's attacking-midfield metronome. 

His start to the current campaign has been prolific, with five goal involvements in his first three competitive outings and he recently sat down with bundesliga.com to discuss his rapid rise in the game. 

Watch: Eintracht's conveyor belt of talent

bundesliga.com: Can you call the 2025/26 start to the season for both yourself and Eintracht dreamlike?

Can Uzun: “Yes, it's been going very well so far. We've already shown a lot and our football is different from last year; there's more possession. We lost important players but also gained some. We're playing well so far and will keep going."

bundesliga.com: You've become a regular starter. How is your relationship with Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller this term and has anything changed?

Can Uzun: “Dino works with me by helping with video analysis and showing what I can improve. It's a close relationship that has been going well so far. I listen to him a lot. He backed me to start in the [DFB] Cup and I was able to repay him for that. I want [us] to continue like this together."

bundesliga.com: Did it take you some time to settle when you first arrived in Frankfurt last season? 

Can Uzun: "You could see I wasn’t entirely satisfied with myself because I know I could have performed better last year. I didn’t play much, partly due to strong competition; I couldn’t fully showcase the real Can Uzun. Now with more game time, I believe I can show what I've got.”

bundesliga.com: What is your ideal position? Would you describe yourself as a classic No.10?

Can Uzun: “I see myself as a 10, on either the right or the left, although I prefer the left. Currently it's more on the right, but I have a great connection with Rasmus [Kristensen] and [Ritsu] Dōan there. It's a lot of fun on the pitch.”

Watch: Uzun opens 25/26 with a belter 

bundesliga.com: How did you first get into football?

Can Uzun: “I've always played football: with my dad; with my friends, even with my mum. Football was always my life. I realised quite early I was one of the better players and maybe I could achieve something, so my goal was always to become a professional player.”

bundesliga.com: Who had the biggest impact on you in your early years in Regensburg?

Can Uzun: “I would say my dad. I always trained with him and he was my connection to the game. He was also a coach - not at professional level - but he knows his stuff. As a little kid I worked on my technique with him, I think that’s why it’s so good now.”

bundesliga.com: Both you and fellow Türkiye international Kenan Yıldız were at Jahn Regensburg youth. Indeed Kenan went on to spend 10 years in Bayern Munich's youth academy and is now at Juventus. Tell us about your friendship.

Can Uzun: "Kenan is my best friend in the game and my best friend in general. We used to always have kickabouts together and what he is doing now is world class. I'm really happy for him and for the fact that we have both managed to become pros. It’s great to see."

bundesliga.com: Eintracht will face the likes of Galatasaray, Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, Napoli and Barcelona - among others - in the UEFA Champions League this season. What are your thoughts?

Can Uzun: "We've drawn really tough opponents, but that's what you want as a player. It’s my first time playing in the Champions League and to draw such huge teams is tough, of course, but we're excited as a team to see how we measure up to the very best."