Zeki Celik’s rebirth under Ranieri and Gasperini | OneFootball

Celik has been an unexpected star in 2025.

In January, he seemed destined to leave the Italian capital, but now he’s a regular starter in Gasperini’s defense.

His resurgence, however, according to Il Tempo, began a long time ago: between the end of 2024 and the beginning of the new year, when Ranieri adapted him to a right-back role to compensate for Hummels’s physical problems and Mancini’s change of position.

Fewer offensive responsibilities and a different position on the pitch have allowed him to become a solid and reliable defender, also capable of pushing forward—as demonstrated by his goal against Porto in the Europa League playoffs.

Under Gasperini, who initially preferred Hermoso, Celik has further improved, winning in five consecutive games.

The coach and the club praise his versatility and performance: Massara is already thinking about renewing his contract, which expires at the end of the season.