West Ham United wanted Orkun Kokcu over the summer and he continues to dazzle as the creative hub in the Feyenoord starting lineup.
The Hammers were clearly desperate to sign a creative midfield player over the summer.
David Moyes ended up securing the playmaker he wanted with a big-money deal for Lucas Paqueta.
Paqueta wasn’t the only option for West Ham though and they also had a strong interest in signing Feyenoord star Kokcu.
West Ham United wanted Orkun Kokcu
Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter in June to state that West Ham were interested in signing Kokcu to bolster their midfield.
The 21-year-old was one of a number of names considered by West Ham but he ended up staying with Feyenoord.
Kokcu has made a great start to this season, hitting four goals and one assist in 10 games for Feyenoord whilst wearing the captain’s armband.
After a summer which saw Feyenoord sell the likes of Tyrell Malacia, Marcos Senesi, Fredrik Aursnes and Luis Sinisterra, Kokcu may well be the next to go.
Feyenoord faced Fortuna Sittard at De Kuip on Saturday in what proved to be a bonkers and frustrating game.
Feyenoord had a staggering 33 shots on goal with 11 on target but they could still only draw 1-1 against Fortuna, who had four shots all game.
Kokcu was outstanding in that game, racking up a ridiculous nine key passes as he turned in a creative display for Feyenoord.
Add in five shots – three of which were on target – and Kokcu clearly did everything he could to try and turn that draw into a win.
Nine key passes in one game is hugely impressive; it’s more than Pablo Fornals and Tomas Soucek have managed all season.
Fornals has recorded six in 10 appearances whilst Soucek has made just five in 11 games.
Paqueta is adjusting to life in England is now out injured, but even he only managed two key passes in six appearances for the Hammers.
That just goes to show that creating chances isn’t easy and managers will always appreciate midfielders who can open up defences.
Of course, we can appreciate the difference in standard here too. West Ham aren’t going to be facing a Fortuna Sittard any time soon and Feyenoord had more of the ball than West Ham can usually expect.
Kokcu’s performance was outstanding though and if Moyes wants another creative midfielder in 2023, the Turkish international could be his man.
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