What Has Happened to Oxlade-Chamberlain Since Solskjaer Became Besiktas Manager

Things at Besiktas have been going swimmingly recently. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s arrival gave the club – and some players, in particular – a new lease of life eye top four credentials this season as a means of securing passage into a European competition. That’s not always been the case at the Besiktas Stadium.

Despite the odd defeat here and there, Solskjaer’s tactical flexibility and ability to create a homely feeling has been praised by the Turkish media – but how are his players finding life under him? Let’s take a look at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain . Much was made of the Englishman’s career and what he’d go on to achieve when he made his first-team debut for Southampton at the tender age of 16, making him the second-youngest player in club history. Moves to Arsenal and Liverpool were not exactly a surprise, but when his contract for the latter came to an end, there were murmurs over where he’d move next.



It was Besiktas, of course, but how’s life under Solskjaer for the midfielder? Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Rejuvenation under Solskjaer Turkey – more notably, clubs situated in Besiktas – have been the typical stomping ground for handsomely-paid players in European circles who are looking for regular senior proceedings – that includes the likes of Didier Drogba , Mesut Ozil and Dele Alli. In 2023, upon leaving Anfield, Oxlade-Chamberlain joined the illustrious list of names by swapping his homeland for Turkey. In his maiden campaign, the 35-cap England international completed just one full 90 minutes in the league.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been thrown his fair share of troubles in Turkey. Prior to the Norwegian tactician’s arrival, he had been frozen out just 12 months with his current employers – the club were reportedly trying to shift his £70,000-per-week wages. GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Oxlade-Chamberlain, in his 20-month stint at Besiktas, has played under the guidance of nine different managers.

In September 2024, Kaan Sakul, the Black Eagles’ general secretary, revealed that Oxlade-Chamberlain was omitted from their Europa League squad as a result . Per football.london , he said: “He [Oxlade-Chamberlain] was the first name to go,” “He thought he would find a club for himself.

He gave us a price. He said: ‘If you pay, I will go’. But he also gave up [on leaving].

Elsewhere, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, appointed in July 2024 and sacked in November 2024, did not give the midfielder a single first-team minute before leaving his post as Besiktas custodian. Under the stewardship of the ex- Cardiff City chief, Oxlade-Chamberlain has embraced a new role – one that is unfamiliar to him, but one that he has picked up with relative ease. He’s now tasked with screening in front of their line the defence in defensive midfield.

The majority of supporters will remember either strutting his stuff as a central midfielder or flying up and down either flank as an out-and-out winger – but Solskjaer’s decision to station the Portsmouth-born ace further back has paid dividends for both parties. Ever-present since December when he scored in his side’s 1-0 win over Jose Mourinho 's Fenerbahce (after entering the fray from the substitutes’ bench), he’s typically been relied upon from the off – barring two games in January 2025 – as a show of Solskjaer’s trust. A Premier League Return is on The Cards Not only was Oxlade-Chamberlain a scintillating prospect at club level but, on the international stage, he became one of the youngest goalscorers in England history with his strike in their 5-0 victory over San Marino in a World Cup qualifier in 2012.

As alluded to, he emerged through Southampton’s academy ranks before being spotted by Arsenal, a club he went on to win three FA Cups for – in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to north London in August 2011 and played 198 appearances. Big things were expected from these guys and while some of them more than lived up to the hype, others certainly didn't.

Understandably, the most illustrious spell of his lengthy, six-year career came for Liverpool. Across 146 appearances, he became a Premier League winner in 2019/20 and, one season later, he and his clubmates held the Champions League aloft. In January 2025, it was reported that Oxlade-Chamberlain’s potential return to the Premier League was not off the cards, amid his fiancée, popstar Perrie Edwards, suggesting that living apart was difficult.

According to The Sun , Wolverhampton Wanderers were considering whether to table an offer for the 31-year-old . Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Club Career Statistics Club Games Goals Assists Yellow/Red Cards Arsenal 198 20 27 8/0 Liverpool 146 18 14 4/0 Besiktas 45 5 1 1/1 Southampton 43 10 9 2/0 The midfielder’s revival could prevent the former Manchester United boss from cashing in – but given the one-time Champions League winner’s contract expires in 2026, letting him go could be an enticing prospect. That said, they could extend his terms.

A display of true resilience, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s story is one that dwindling footballers can take inspiration from. He continues to defy the odds, silencing the critics in the process, but whether he stays put beyond the next summer transfer window remains to be seen. All statistics per Transfermarkt - correct as of 04/04/2025.