Who is Ferdi Kadioglu? The versatile full-back to boost Arsenal's title charge

 

Amidst reports that Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for out-of-favour pair Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares, Mikel Arteta will be apprehensive at the prospect of losing depth to his squad for the business end of the season. However, there is a possibility that the Gunners could upgrade at full-back while selling both players. Killing two birds with one stone, if you will. 

 

Reports today suggest Arsenal are looking to sign Ferdi Kadioglu from Fenerbahce this month. Able to play at both right and left-back, the 24-year-old impressed scouts was they watched the Dutch-born Turkey international in November. Kadioglu has shone for the league leaders this season with a WhoScored rating of 7.29 better than any other defender in the Super Lig. 

 

What's key, too, is that Kadioglu is able to operate in midfield where needs must. Arteta is a fan of versatile players and this is another key reason why the Gunners are believed to be weighing up a move for the Fenerbahce man. Best-suited at left-back, Kadioglu would be able to play a similar role to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who pushes forward into midfield to maintain superiority in the middle of the park. 

 

It's on the frontfoot where Kadioglu shines for Fenerbahce. While he has just two assists to his name this season, that is due to his teammates' profligacy. Indeed, only Guilherme (35) has made more key passes than Kadioglu (24) of defenders in the Super Lig this season. With a willingness to get upfield and provide another attacking outlet, this would be vital for an Arsenal side that looks to not only stretch opponents, but relies on wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka to cut inside to provide the goal threat. 

 

With a desire to yo-yo up the flank, he'd be able to fly up the wing and maximise the space Martinelli or Saka, depending on the side of the defence he features on, vacates. Not only is he adept at creating chances for teammates, but there is a desire to throw the ball into the box to gamble on late surges into the area to wreak havoc in the opposition box. 

 

 

A 33.3% cross success rate ranks 14th of the 95 players to have attempted 25 or more crosses in the Super Lig this season. Using the same metrics, Ben White (30.8%) comes closest to matching Kadioglu's return. With both Fenerbahce and Arsenal ranking third in their respective league for possession this season, they share a similar desire to dominate games, so Kadioglu should suit Arteta's quest to control proceedings. 

 

There are some areas of improvement to Kadioglu's game that need working on, however. This is to be expected given his age, and Arteta has shown a knack for improving players as is evidenced by Martinelli and Saka's respective development. A return of 2.1 tackles per 90 may look good on paper but a 65.4% tackle success rate means he does need to work on his timing in his bid to rob opponents of possession. This may be due to Kadioglu's desire to burst up the pitch and being caught in attacking positions, so he tries in vain to win the ball back for his side. 

 

In addition there are understandable concerns at how Kadioglu will deal with the physical aspect of the Premier League. Standing at around 5'7", it's not a shock that Kadioglu has returned a aerial success rate of 54.5% to develop a statistically calculated WhoScored weakness of 'aerial duels'. While fewer teams adopt a direct approach in the Premier League, this would be another way to hurt Arsenal were they to sign Kadioglu. 

 

With Zinchenko currently struggling due to injury, Arteta wants a specialist in the role to bolster Arsenal's chances of domestic and potentially continental success. Jakub Kiwior started at left-back against Fulham on New Year's Eve, yet struggled in the eventual 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage and was ultimately replaced at half time. 

 

Able to cover a number of roles, the decision to potentially pursue Kadioglu's services this month wouldn't come as a surprise. A striker may be top of the wishlist but if they have the chance to sign Kadioglu, he could certainly help in their title pursuit.

Who is Ferdi Kadioglu? The versatile full-back to boost Arsenal's title charge