Rafael Van der Vaart has hit out at Orkun Kokcu amid reports linking the Feyenoord midfielder with a move to Premier League strugglers Leeds United, speaking to Studio Voetbal.
The Dutch-born Turkey international has not really lived up to the expectation that surrounded him as he burst onto the scene a few years ago.
But it seems that a prolonged spell of poor form has not put off a queue of suitors longer than one snaking outside of the Apple Store at an iPhone launch.
Voetbal International reporter Freek Jansen claimed a few weeks ago that Kokcu was in the crosshairs of Jose Mourinho’s Roma and Marcelo Bielsa’s injury-ravaged Leeds United ahead of the January transfer window.
Arsenal and Everton expressed interest in the talented 20-year-old in recent times too, while Leicester City failed with a loan bid last January.
But, according to the always-outspoken Van der Vaart, Kokcu has a lot to learn before he sails into the choppy waters of the Premier League.
Can Orkun Kokcu help Leeds United?
“I think Kokcu thinks he is much better than he really is,” said the former Tottenham, Real Madrid and Netherlands star, highlighting problems with his attitude and his ability.
“I think he’s a good player but he has so much sloppiness.”
Kokcu has started all-but one of Feyenoord’s 17 Eredivisie games this season. He even inherited the number ten shirt from departed talisman Steven Berghuis.
But, as the Rotterdam giants were swatted aside by Ajax, Kokcu barely laid a glove on Erik ten Hag’s charges.
“He really feels like the man there (at Feyenoord),” adds Van der Vaart, translated by VI.
“I think it’s a shame because I do believe in his qualities. I see it with (Ajax’s) Ryan Gravenberch too. They kind of start to believe that they are already there (they’ve made it).
“But they should just play simple, then they can become very good players.”
Who will Leeds United sign in January?
2011 Eredivisie Player of the Year Theo Janssen agrees.
“It is Kokcu’s quality to play simple and speed up the game,” Janssen says. “But as soon as he starts running with the ball, it almost always goes wrong.
“He just has to play simple and then he really has value.”
Kokcu, then, is a work-in-progress, undoubtedly talented but with more rough edges than a rusty bandsaw.
Perhaps a few months in Marcelo Bielsa’s feted finishing school is exactly what he needs as the Eredivisie starlet looks to make good on his vast potential.
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