This was supposed to be the season when Orkun Kokcu’s Feyenoord career really took off.
Instead, a gifted attacking midfielder who held talks over a £23 million move to Arsenal in March is facing sustained criticism for the first time in his young career (Daily Mail).
Kocku may only be 19 years of age but, after attracting attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs and being handed a new five-year contract complete with pay rise, critics expected a little more in return.
In eight games this season, Kokcu has produced one assist and no goals for a Feyenoord team with ambitions of the title under veteran boss Dick Advocaat.
And while he has never been the most prolific of players, a tally of nine goals and assists in 35 games last season is a reminder of what the Turkey international is capable of when he’s at his scheming, slaloming best.
“He does not have the dynamics you’d expect. Feyenoord expects a lot from him but he does not look fit,” former Feyenoord ace Jan Everse told RTV.
Former Holland international Youri Mulder, meanwhile, was more concerned by Kokcu’s work rate – or lack of – during Feyenoord’s 4-1 home defeat to Wolfsberger in the Europa League last week.
“When you see how Orkun Kokcu loses the duels in midfield so Wolfsberger can come through, that’s really scandalous,” Mulder told Ziggo Sport.
At a time when Mikel Arteta is desperate to weed out those unwilling or unable to give 100 per cent to the cause, Kokcu hardly looks a fit for an increasingly hard-working, well-drilled Arsenal side.
And unless he can put concerns over fitness and dedication behind him, the Gunners may not return any time soon.
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