October 25th 2024.
Orkun Kokcu is making quite the impression on Benfica with his impressive performances on the field. And now, there's talk of a potential move to Liverpool from Benfica for the young Turkey international, according to his father.
Despite only joining the Portuguese side last year from Feyenoord, Kokcu is already being linked to the highly competitive Premier League, with Anfield as a possible destination. It's no surprise, as he originally came up through the youth ranks at Feyenoord and was a standout player under current Liverpool manager, Arne Slot.
Slot had great faith in Kokcu, even making him the club captain at just 22 years old. It proved to be a brilliant move, as the team went on to win the Eredivisie that season. Since then, the 23-year-old has continued to impress, scoring four goals in nine games this season for Benfica. It's no wonder Slot is interested in reuniting with him, something that Kokcu's father can see happening.
"Arne is a good friend of ours," Kokcu Sr. shared with ESPN NL. "He has been through a lot of things with Orkun. Yes, why not? It's possible."
He also added that a move is inevitable at some point, as Benfica bought his son with the intention of making a profit on him in the future. The club paid just over £20m for the Netherlands-born Turkey international, but it's safe to say he would cost a lot more if Liverpool wants to secure his signature.
However, for now, the focus is on Kokcu's performance with Benfica. His father reiterated this, saying, "The most important thing now is Orkun's focus, that he does well with Benfica. But of course, players and trainers don't have just one station, the staff knows that too."
He continued, "In modern football, clubs think about finances, about making a profit. Orkun is a player who has the potential to make a profit with the next step. The fans and the club are also fine with that, of course. That was also the project. We'll see where he ends up."
It's clear that Kokcu's talent and potential have not gone unnoticed, and he's not afraid to speak his mind either. Last season, he openly criticized Benfica's manager, Roger Schmidt, for playing him out of position. And since Schmidt's departure from the club, Kokcu has continued to prove himself on the field.
"Schmidt ties me too much to all kinds of defensive tasks," he told De Telegraaf. "And that is not positive if you really want to get the most out of my qualities. I am the type of player who finds solutions in the area, who thinks very quickly and makes the team progress."
He continued, "Even this season, all my statistics underline that. I can do much more for Benfica, and that may be where part of my frustration lies. I was irritated and disappointed with that."
It's clear that Kokcu is a driven and ambitious player, always striving to improve and showcase his talents on the field. As his stay at Benfica may be a short one, we can only wait and see where his next destination will be. But one thing is for sure, with his skills and determination, he's sure to make an impact wherever he goes.
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