Sometimes
I wonder what makes football tick – then I saw Brasil
vs USSR game . A long ball was played to
Mane Garrincha , Kuznetsov ran in to close him down – Garrincha showed him the
left and went past Kuznetsov on the right . Kuznetsov fell on the ground –
Garrincha waited for him and then went past him again to hit the near post . That audacious confidence in his ability –
that flair what keeps the game going . Which is why anywhere around the world
is a home ground for Brasil ( eventhough they have never replicated the 1970
brand of football again or no one ever can ) . Thhis player profile involves someone who has the same flair when he steps onto the turf , no he is not a winger nor beaten a player
twice like Garrincha .
Salih Uçan
Strange
thing about all of this is – 18 months back I got to know about this prodigious
talent through a Galatasaray fan .
How it started
He
joined Bucaspor at the age of 14 , he was starter by 2011/12 . Bucaspor have a
renowned academy . His genius was visible for everyone to see – it was only a
matter of time one of the Turkish giants came calling . Eventually they did –
Fenerbahce paid 1.5 million to Bucaspor for his signature - one of the most
lucrative contract ever for a teenager .
Time at Fenerbahçe
Salih
Ucan joined san kanarya the same season they bought Mehmet Topal and Raul Meireles . He was sparingly used in the league
, more frequently in cup games and Europa league . He managed to score 4
goals and snatch 3 assist to his name . He was among the eight youngsters in Europa League's rising stars .
Ucan was
part of the Turkey Under 20 world cup squad last summer . Unlike Pogba he didn’t
have a Kondogbia or Thauvin around him . He was the stand out performer for Turkey in
that competition who got knocked out by eventual winners France . He made it to the IBWM 100 to watchout for list along with Hakan Calhanoglu .
“ Everyone’s happiness is in different things , mine is football “ - Salih Uçan
This
season he found it hard to break into the starting eleven with Ersun Yanal
preferring the experienced trio of Emre
, Meireles and Mehmet Topal . They won the Turkish league with games to
spare . He is one of those players where stats wont justify his quality - sometimes you just cant equate your joy watching someone play with numbers .
Playing Style
His Idols are Frank Lampard and Sergio Busquets – and that sums up him as a player
( not saying he is as good as both ) . He can play anywhere in midfield from a
defensive midfielder to a attacking playmaker . Though he is more suited to a central midfield
role or a box to box role .
He is a smart footballer - has
the vision to pick a pass in the final third and also finish off the chances
inside the box . And then he can win
back possession too – his versatility is his strength . He is 6ft tall and has got the physique and technique to manage in a bigger league . He has improved a lot since coming to fener , he is more assured of his gameplay and his positioning has improved massively .
Video
compilation of his 1st season at fenerbahce from Scoutnation .
What's next
There
has been a lot of interest – from Dortmund to Manchester city . According to
reports in Italian media – Salih Ucan is expected to join Roma in coming weeks
. As a fan of calico im very excited to see one of my favorite youngsters joining
Roma . He is certainly the best young talent Turkey has to offer – will have to
wait and see how things pan out . Hope he fulfills his potential and becomes a
world class footballer .
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