• ! ! ! IMPORTANT MESSAGE ! ! !

    Discussions about police investigations

    In light of recent developments about a player from Premier League being arrested and until there is an official announcement, ALL users should refrain from discussing or speculating about situations around personal off-pitch matters related to any Arsenal player. This is to protect you and the forum.

    Users who disregard this reminder will be issued warnings and their posts will get deleted from public.

Merih Demiral

TimT

Member
Merih Demiral is a tremendous player with a lot of potential. Is he at par with Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City.

Merih Demiral and Caglar Soyuncu were discoevered by Lucescu, the manager of Turkish NT at the time, prior to Euro 2020 qualifiers over two years ago. Demiral, two years junior of Soyuncu, first choice for CB position and he's played every minute of the 10 matches in the Euro 2020 while Soyuncu was usually a third option for the second CB position, and alternated with Kaan Ayhan of Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Merih Demiral has developed his game rather rapidly considering his age. He was sold or loaned out from one team to another started with Turkey's Fenerbahce junior team to Sporting B within a couple of years. Subsequently, he ended up in Serie A's Sassuolo in the January transfer window last year. He was immense and received high praise from clubs and pundits in Italy despite the fact he only played a half season in Serie A at the age of 20. Some of the top clubs around Europe followed his progress but Juventus was quick to sign him though only after Juventus had already brought Matthijs de Light in for three times the value of Demiral. Meanwhile, Demiral's value also have doubled when he arrived at Juventus from Sassuolo. The price tag might have played a role why Demiral didn’t get much playing time even though De Light hasn’t played exceptionally well at times.

Merih Demiral was superb at Sassoulo last season and flawless throughout Euro 2020 matches. In contrast, Caglar Soyuncu was error prone. Soyuncu spent his time on the bench at LCFC most of last season which might have contributed for some to doubt of Soyuncu's potential and abilities. Anyhow, the roles have changed and Demiral is on the bench while Soyuncu has played every minute of the games in the ongoing season.

Merih Demiral has played two games for Juventus so far, one in Serie A, and another in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen the other night. Although, Demiral appeared a little nervous in his Serie A debut, he was solid (I bet any 21 years old would have felt similar if he suddenly promoted from a Portugal third tier to one of the world's best and most decorated clubs within a year). In his debut in the Champions league, Demiral's performance was absolutely scintillating. It was a MOTM performance.

Turkish football fans were asked about who deserved the most credit or was the best performer of the Euro 2020 qualifiers for the Turkish NT. The majority gave the credit to the Turkish manager Senol Gunes deservedly (he was also the coach of Turkish NT during World Cup 2002 third spot). After that, Merih Demiral received the highest rating ahead of any other players including Roma's exciting young winger Cengiz Under. Caglar Soyuncu came 5th or 6th among players. But, Soyuncu's EPL performance have allowed him to pair with Merih Demiral in the last two very important Euro games, away vs France (1-1), and home game vs Iceland (0-0).

Demiral is taller so he is much better aerially. His timing and reading of the game is excellent. He is as fast and even appears to be faster than Soyuncu. He is a "beast" in the defense. Even though he is only 21, he's leadership quality, and he has shown it. The team relays on this quality of him. The players and fans feel more at ease and less panicky when he is in the middle of the defense. He is a superb tackler though looks a little rough even though he generally avoids any card. Probably, the referees think it's only a fair play. He is a younger version of Giorgio Chiellini and Sergio Ramos.

In comparison to Soyuncu, Demiral appears to be less technically gifted. I was annoyed by his horizontal and reverse passes in the past. Notwithstanding, as an understudy of Chiellini and Bonucci, he has exhibited he’s made improvement during his recent performances with the Turkish NT and in the Champions League match vs BLeverkusen. Though, his long forward passes after recovering ball has always been pinpoint, finding his teammates running into the penalty area or at the wings. He might need a little encouragement. Regardless of all that, he still might be lacking in passing efficiently like a DM or silky and crafty Cruyff like moves which Soyuncu has done in the past.

Another quality to Demiral's game is his ability to possibly score or assist or reaching the ball in the opponent's penalty area which he does more efficiently than Soyuncu.

(P.s. Ozan Kabak of Schalke FC is alternative to both Merih Demiral and Caglar Soyuncu. At 19, Kabak is another gifted CB matches the qualities of both Demiral and Soyuncu but probably may come at a lower price tag).
 
Last edited:

North5

Here since 2009. Unlike Cornavirus.

Country: England
Demiral/Partey would be sensational business without spending much. Revamp the attack through the Auba departure and you have 3/4 new players here to go with Leno, Saliba, Tierney, Pepe, Bellerin, to make a new team.

Now we're talking. Get Xhaka and Mustafi out too. Poch in. I'd be drooling.
 

Latest posts+

Top Bottom