Voetball International (as cited by Goal) states that Arsenal would be willing to match the £23 million valuation of Orkun Kokcu who plies his trade at Feyenoord. As Mikel Arteta’s team head into the new season, the manager would undoubtedly like to strengthen the side and that ought not to be limited to the first team. The addition of a player like him definitely gives an impression that the club are also looking at the future.
The prospect of Orkun Kokcu
The Feyenoord player is a central midfielder by trade and one of the most highly talented youngsters on the block. The 19-year-old joined the Dutch side in 2014 and slowly has risen to the first team. In 2018, he made his debut for the club’s senior side in the Eredivisie and had since made a mark for himself.
The greatest quality of any central midfielder is to identify space in the middle of the park and get into those positions so that his teammates can pass the ball. Kokcu in that respect is exemplary as the Turkish man can find the spaces and move into the gaps. Being a box to box midfielder, the starlet can take the burden of sprinting throughout the end of the pitch and be a shield for the back four of his side.
Kokcu has proved himself to be a great passer of the ball with him completing 84.2% of successful passes this season. Although the figures have somewhat deteriorated from the last term; still for a footballer of his age, he has done a brilliant job. It is believed that with time and proper guidance, his statistics could improve further.
It is also pertinent to mention here that he has made 1.4 key passes on an average per 90 minutes, highlighting the fact that he is not the creative force for his team. However, that could change at a more fluid side.
What could be his role at Arsenal?
The future of Dani Ceballos still hangs in the balance as the Spaniard could return to his homeland at the end of the season. With him absent from the side, the gaffer would have limited options to choose from in the central midfield. The north London side would anyhow need a midfielder to cope up with that time of the season when the fixtures start coming in thick and fast.
The Turkish player would not be expected to straightaway walk into the starting eleven, but with time and perseverance, the young gun could be one of the regular starters of the club. Additionally, the manager would have an alternative to select from in times of need.
Stats from Whoscored.
