In the clips above Kökçü doesn’t come under much pressure granted, it would be interesting to see how he would play in the PL
However he is press Evasive and is regularly pressured in Holland. He ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive passes, That’s elite in any league
Kökçü has a really nice clipped pass technique. We often see him clipping the ball from the DLP role to the wingers, he ranks highly for switches.
Here we see a clipped through ball over the defensive line & also a clipped cross. His accuracy in all areas of the pitch is superb twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
2️⃣Creativity
Kökçü can play as a really creative left 8, operating in the half space producing chances for attackers. He can do it in the DLP role also
His stats are incredible, he’s a chance creation machine. He also ranks in the 99th% for xA, he provides a huge threat
🎥1: I love his instinct to go forward. Receives on the back foot, head up scanning before a forward pass to set his teammate through
🎥2: starts the move from deep, continues into the left half space in an advanced area before a wonderful through ball to the ST who should score twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
🎥1: superb! The close control, the strength, the Cruyff turn and the vision/execution of the cut back. Superb play
🎥2: Kökçü is a top set piece taker, his delivery is so accurate due to the pace he can get on the ball. Another great set piece option to have twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
🎥1: Kökçü is a superb crosser, he is strong on both feet & always finds good angles for delivery. Ranks in the 88th% for crosses into the box
🎥2: this run would really help us, Rashford loves this position & the underlap from Kökçü would create so many chances from cutbacks twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
3️⃣Ball carrying
Kökçü is a really good carrier of the ball
He has a low csntre of gravity, meaning he can weave past players using his close control & press evasive qualities. It’s a skill we lack in our midfield & one that would massively help the team. His stats back that up
Per Wyscout he ranks in the top 20 ball carriers in the CM role
He likes to drop deep into the initial build up phase and progress the ball higher up the pitch via carrying/passes
His carrying ability is then again used in the final 3rd, weaving past players to create SCA/GCA
🎥1; Beautiful feint, his close control and use of his body is spectacular
🎥2: another example, so good in tight spaces, often reeling players in before a quick sharp movement to evade pressure
Kökçü has superb tactical flexibility. Last season he often played in the left 8 role but he has also played in the 10
This season, he’s played in the single pivot, dropping deep to get involved in the initial build up phase. He’s perfect for Ten Hag
Here we see Kökçü in the initial build up phase.
📸1: left of a back 3, comfortable on either foot so has good passing angles. Him dropping in allows shaw to push forward
📸2: now in the single pivot, composed with his back to goal, his super dribbling means he’s press evasive
🎥1: he’s elite in possession, the angles he opens here combined with the movement and passing is sublime. So good in the half spaces
📸1: always finds space, so many options ahead of him. His creativity would allow Bruno to get closer to the ST, he would add so much in attack twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
5️⃣Defending
Kökçü has poor defensive numbers per FBref
However, it’s not simple. Through watching him he’s a good presser, winning the ball back in high areas. He ranks in the 97th% for att 3rd tackles.
He isn’t required to do a lot of defensive work, that will change at Utd
We have seen a clear defensive improvement in the United side from Erik ten Hags appointment
His demand is to defend as an 11, Kökçü is a hard working player who will get on board with this. I also think he can improve his positioning, like we’ve seen with Dalot
Feyenoord are having a fantastic season in the Eredivse, they currently sit top and Kökçü has been a key player
Valued around £25m, he has two years left on his deal but as a young player in an inflated market I would expect the fee to rise to potentially £35m. Long term fee
Summary
- Kökçü is a really nice footballer. He would be a really smart signing for Erik due to his quality but also tactical flexibility
- his age profile and player profile is exactly what we should be aiming for
- lower price would allow us to get him, a GK and a ST
- Ten Hag knows the Dutch league well, makes the signing more attainable
- isn’t automatically a starter, can rotate between him & Eriksen, allowing for settling time
- more comfortable than Eriksen when being pressed
- he’s a smaller frame but physically strong, helps in the PL
One final point.
Enzo Fernandez and Frenkie de Jong are still my top targets. With Frenkie looking likely to stay at Barca and Enzo the subject of interest from Chelsea we need a back up signing
Kökçü would be a really suitable alternative at a great price
End of thread
Thank you for reading! This was a really enjoyable thread about a player who’s not a household name. If you liked, drop a comment, like or retweet
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A detailed deep dive on Roberto De Zerbi's team and how they are playing some of the best football in Europe
Roberto De Zerbi was appointed Brighton manger after former manager Graham Potter left the Amex for Chelsea. RDZ was known for his fast attacking, possession football at Sassuolo and Shaktar, a manger who according to Brighton CEO Tony Bloom has been on their shortlist for years
De Zerbi has used the 4231 across the majority of his jobs. He came into a Brighton side that played mainly in a back 3 under Potter, RDZ stayed with this formation during his first few games before switching back to his usual 4231 with some really interesting tactical tweaks
A detailed deep dive on the build up structure of Ten Hags Ajax & how we can replicate/transfer his ideas to Manchester United
Erik ten Hags Ajax team lined up in a 433. Pasveer, Mazouri, Timber, Martinez, Blind, Alvarez, Gravenberch the usual back 7
No clear FDJ Type press resistant 8 in that side, but structurally they were set up excellently to get around that gap in profile. All 7 technically superb
Pasveer very comfortable in possession, more of a short passer than long range distribution. Timber/Martinez both press resistant, excellent passers & have a very good understanding of where to be & how to open up passing lanes
1/5. I’m well aware today was poor, I’m the first one to praise Erik so will be the first one to criticise him when I feel necessary. Today was a breakdown of several issues. Player quality, player performance & decision making
We lack several major positions to become a proper
2/5. Possession based side. We need a GK who can claim crosses to remove pressure. Someone who sweeps High to increase our line height. It’s vital in build up that they can help outnumber a press with their distribution. A top CF is so vital in terms of hold/link play & finishing
3/5. Casemiro coming back into the team provides extra defensive security plus experience under pressure situations. Clearly missed Eriksens progression/creativity
We need that 8 who can control play, play out of pressure, show press resistance & always be available to receive
1/3. Is there a perfect FDJ alternative? Is there a perfect midfielder?
Personally I don’t think there is. I think the best way of recruiting is by bringing in a player who fits the mould of the DLP as close as we can get to what we need and then work on their issues via team
2/5. Patterns, shape or personel who have strengths that override the weakness that new DLP has. I’ll give an example
I really like Orkun Kokcu. Kokcu is a CM for Feyenoord who excels in progressive passing, carries, SCA. He’s a high volume passer, a tempo setter, a conductor
3/5. In possession I don’t think there’s a better alternative for what we need. Can progress through pressure in the first phase before getting involved in the half spaces in the final 3rd. However, defensively he isn’t great but is that something we just have to accept/work on
A detailed deep dive on the Manchester United youngster, looking at his loan spell for Sunderland and how that can help him integrate into Erik Ten Hags plans
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Player profile
Name: Amad Diallo
Age: 20
Nationality: Ivory Coast
Club: Manchester United. On loan at Sunderland
Height: 1.73m
Position: RW/10
Value: €7m