Through the years, we now have seen a development within the rise of younger prodigy footballers from the Turkish league. There’s the brand new Actual Madrid signing, Arda Guler, after which there may be Benfica’s rising star Orkun Kokcu. Others to emerge are Galatasaray’s Efe Akman, who comes from a household of esteemed footballers, and the 16-year-old left-back Yasin Ozcan. And now 19-year-old centre-back Arif Kocaman has change into the most recent star to emerge from the league.
{The teenager} who performed 13 video games for Kayserispor within the 2022-23 season has already made an impression, with a number of golf equipment already procuring an curiosity in buying his providers. At such a younger age, Kocaman has proven maturity and expertise far past his years.
Nevertheless, his actual take a look at would be the 2023-24 season, the place he’s anticipated to play a extra outstanding function within the squad. It’ll additionally assist him decide whether or not he can proceed his excessive degree of efficiency over a complete season.
So, who’s Arif Kocaman, and the way good is he?
Arif Kocaman profile
Born on September 14, 2003, within the metropolis of Tavsanlı, Kutahya Province, Kocaman began his footballing profession at native membership TKİ Tavsanlı Linyitspor in 2013. He stayed there until 2017 earlier than he left to affix Sakaryaspor.
It was at Sakaryaspor that he would begin to present indicators of being a really proficient prodigy. And for the subsequent 4 years, he continued to display that as he progressed by way of the assorted age teams groups on the membership.
And on the finish of the 2020-21 season, the golf equipment debuted him within the TFF Second League in opposition to Etimesgut Belediyespor. The next season he made two appearances for the group within the Turkish Tremendous Cup, enjoying all the video games.
Nevertheless, with first-team alternatives not coming his approach, Kocaman joined Turkish Tremendous Lig membership Kayserispor. After becoming a member of the membership, Kocaman was instantly despatched to the under-19 squad, the place he made 11 appearances.
His performances had been so spectacular that earlier than the tip of the season, first-team supervisor Yalcin Kosukavak handed him his skilled debut on Could 14, 2022, in opposition to Yeni Malatyaspor.
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Type of play
Firstly of the 2022-23 season, there have been excessive hopes for Kocaman, and he didn’t disappoint. Throughout all the season, he made 20 appearances, 14 of which got here within the Turkish high flight. Throughout the season, he additionally scored his maiden objective in opposition to Fenerbahce.
The season gave us a glimpse of Kocaman’s strengths and weaknesses. The defender is nice at passing the ball, however it’s his duels capability, particularly within the air, the place he reveals his excessive potential.
Stats from Soccerment present that he was the fifth-best participant on the group by way of aerial duels received. Kocaman additionally received 60 clearances, the third-best within the squad. These numbers got here when he solely performed lower than one-third of the minutes in comparison with his teammates.
Kocaman not solely wins a substantial quantity of duels but additionally wins them persistently. His floor duel-winning share is 55.3, and aerial successful duels are 56.9.
One distinctive attribute about Kocaman from his first season was his restricted involvement within the attacking half of the pitch. Whereas a robust reasoning may very well be p[resented that he was only 18 in his first season in a top-flight league, it is an area where he must improve upon in the current season.
Arif Kocaman potential
With Arif Kocaman celebrating his 19th birthday in September, this season will go a long way in determining his future. After an impressive previous season, Kocaman has a high chance of becoming a designated starter for Kayserispor.
The club finished ninth in the previous season, a position they will look to improve massively. This means that players like Kocaman will be given more opportunities.
Kocaman is also blessed with pace, which allows him to be a great asset to a team, especially during an event of counter-attack. Furthermore, he also has shown that he is unfazed in any situation, which shows his ability and confidence in his skills.
The young defender is currently in a situation where he has proved that he has immense talent but needs to back it up consistently to take himself to the next level.
