Okay Yokuslu – Celta Vigo
Okay put on a monster performance in central midfield for relegation battlers Celta Vigo who ended up beating Real Sociedad 3-1 in La Liga. The Turkey international shielded the defence and helped his side keep possession. The 24-year-old made more tackles than any other player (5). The victory moved Celta out of the bottom three but they are not out of trouble just yet. Just two points separate them from the drop zone.
Merih Demiral – Sassuolo
If you have been reading Turkish-Football for the past few months you will know we are not at all surprised by how well Merih has performed in the Serie A. The 21-year-old is an outstanding talent who has been flying under the radar. Merih scored a brace in the 4-0 win over Chievo, both goals were headers. The 1.92m tall centre-back poses a serious aerial threat. He also won all three aerial duals he was involved in and made more clearances than any other player (5). The Turkey international also shone in the 2-2 draw against Lazio over the weekend. Not a bad week for Merih, not bad at all.
Merih Demiral’ın Chievo’ya attığı 2 gol ???? pic.twitter.com/56O2Q0lYkK
— Video Futbol (@videofutbol4) April 6, 2019
Ozan Kabak – Stuttgart
Kabak scored three of his sides last eight goals which is not a bad stat for a defender. The 19-year-old put on another impressive display in the 1-1 draw against Nurnburg over the weekend. The closed the gap with 15th placed Augsburg to four points. Stuttgart remain in the relegation zone and are running out of time to make the great escape.
Mehmet Zeki Celik – Lille
The 22-year-old continues to excel for Lille who are moving ever closer to securing a runners-up spot. The French side held Reims to a 1-1 draw away over the weekend. I still can’t believe Zeki Celik was playing in the Turkish second-tier last season when I see how well he has played this term.
Caglar Soyuncu – Leicester City
I thought the appointment of Brendan Rodgers would bode well for Caglar Soyuncu who struggled for playing time under Claude Puel. The young Turkey international is the type of defender that fits in well to Rodgers philosophy. He is a modern defender, good on the ball, plays the ball out of the back, is fast, physical and has impressive technical ability. The 22-year-old showed glimpses of what he is capable of in the 4-1 away win over Huddersfield. But his inexperience also showed, he was reckless at times and made a few unforced errors. He needs regular playing time to get some consistency. I still have confidence in Soyuncu and believe Rodgers will take him to the next level.
