Emre Can

[TheHowieLama]

Emre Cunt - covered either way.

[El Dangerous]

If Bayern don't at least try to buy him and carve the profit off for themselves they're stupid. I can see them taking the option then loaning him back for a year.

[BCM]

Tony Barrett ‏@TonyBarretTimes 59s

Liverpool have made a breakthrough in their pursuit of Emre Can & appear to be closing in on a £12m deal for the Germany U-21 international.

[aRdja]

I've seen the guy play twice this season. The one game I noticed him, was against United, and he played LB. Valencia destroyed him. However, if you look at the names of past German midfielders who could play defence e.g., Beckenbauer, Sammer, Matthaus and Olaf Thon, I'm now confident that Emre Can is going to be legendary for us.

[Jairzinho]

Got all the hallmarks for being one of the worst signings in the history of the sport.

[Jose Jones]

Got all the hallmarks for being one of the worst signings in the history of the sport.

Nah Belgians and Turkish Germans are where it's at.

 

Where it's at!

We got two turkish germans and a francophone.

[Jairzinho]

Nah Belgians and Turkish Germans are where it's at.

 

Where it's at!

We got two turkish germans and a francophone.

 

Send the buggers back.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Send the buggers back.

 

ON A FUCKING BOAT!

[Wezza]

Nah Belgians and Turkish Germans are where it's at.

 

Where it's at!

We got two turkish germans and a francophone.

I think Beck himself would we pleased with that!

[Sugar Ape]

According to Bayer Leverkusen, the current club of Emre Can, Liverpool are interested in their dynamic defensive midfielder with a view to a summer transfer.

 

Bayer's sporting director Rudi Voller confirmed the interest in an interview with Bild, however, insisted coach Roger Schmidt was keen to keep him on board.

 

'We know of the interest, but nothing official exists,' Voller told Bild.

 

'It's clear that, now, Emre has a clause in his contract.A decision is still pending.

 

'The business [of selling Emre] would be profitable. But that is not the sticking point.

 

 

'We believe that Emre would do well [with another year here]. Roger Schmidt has already spoken with him.'

 

However, it's not just Bayer Leverkusen who could cause a problem for Liverpool either, as an even more recent report suggest Bayern Munich could be back in for the player they sold to Bayer less than 12-months ago.

 

But what's the fuss behind Emre Can, why all the sudden interest? We take a look at the numbers behind the man and paint a picture of what he could bring to Anfield.

 

More successful dribbles than Ross Barkley - One of the most impressive aspects of Can is his ability to drive the ball forward from deep inside his own half. A trait that only the top players can provide at the very top levels, which he does.

 

In his 24 starts and five sub appearances for Bayer, he has successfully completed 73 dribbles which averages at 2.5 dribbles per game.

 

A stat that is greater than the likes of Ross Barkley, Mousa Dembele and even Adnan Januzaj in the Premier League and the likes of Ivan Perisic, David Alaba and Kevin Großkreutz in the Bundesliga.

 

Same amount of tackles per game as €40 million Bayern star Javi Martinez - The second most impressive aspect about the defensive midfielder's game is his tackling capability, which more than matches Bayern Munich star Javi Martinez. A player that ultimately saw him crowded out of the Bayern Munich dressing room.

 

And finally, he is a player with incredible versatility - He is a player that could undoubtedly help Liverpool next season, largely due to him being able to play a number of different positions.

 

This season, he has largely played between the central-midfield spot, his natural position, and left-back. He has also played defensive midfield, centre-back and left attacking-forward.

 

That sort of capability could become key when the games come through at a much quicker pace for Liverpool next season.

[Sugar Ape]

The question: Just how good is Liverpool target Emre Can?

 

Liverpool have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can, who could cost the Reds around £10 million. But after challenging for the Premier League title on the final day of the season and guaranteeing Champions League football next season, Liverpool fans will be wanting the club to sign top quality players. So, how good is Emre Can?

 

Can is only young. At the tender age of 20, he has many years left ahead of him at the top level – a whole career in fact. The midfielder who can also play left-back would be a good signing for Liverpool, depending on the price, as his talent at such a young age is exciting, while the potential waiting to be unlocked can be matured under Brendan Rodgers.

 

Raheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan have both flourished at the club over the past few months and it’s all down to Rodgers’ coaching and tutoring. Can is versatile and excellent with the ball at his feet. He’s a raw talent and will need some work but in a year or so, with proper coaching aiding him, he could become a real star.

 

Let’s see how he compared to some of Europe’s better central midfielders last season, using Squawka’s Comparison Matrix.

 

Can played 29 times last season, drifting from playing left-back to central midfield so his statistics will be slightly skewed but it is still interesting to take a look at what he brings to the table at his age.

 

Compared to his Bayer teammate Lars Bender, Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin, Juventus’ Arturo Vidal and his possible rival for a place at Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, Can doesn’t shine too often in the statistics, but he is young.

 

Over an average of 90 minutes, Can completed 32.97 passes per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga. That figure placed him fourth ahead of Bender (32.91). Liverpool leader Gerrard tops the scale with an impressive 58.1 successful passes per 90mins. However, these figures may be slightly misleading as Bayer Leverkusen do not play the possession and passing game to the extent that Liverpool do, so Gerrard is far more likely to complete more passes than Can.

 

Gerrard also beats his rivals in the chance creation department, too. The Englishman created 2.08 chances per 90 minutes last season. Can is bottom out of the five players having created just 0.66.

 

His shot accuracy of 44% is not great either but it is enough to place him third. Gerrard, once again, comes out on top with a shot accuracy of 65%. Vidal (40%) and Schneiderlin (33%) prop up the list.

 

In terms of tackles, it is the Chilean Vidal who comes out on top. He played 32 Serie A matches last season but averaged out over 90 minutes, he won 3.54 tackles. Lars Bender was not far behind with 3.34 while Can’s 2.46 was just better than Gerrard (2.21).

 

Finally, though, Can wins a battle against the four midfielders. He is an excellent dribbler and has extremely quick feet, switching the ball from one foot to the other as fast as a blink of the eye.

 

 

He completed three take-ons per 90 minutes last season, much better than everyone else. Bender is second in the list on 1.84, showing just how good Can is with the ball at his feet. He could even be used in a more advanced midfield position, which could be more suited to his youthful exuberance.

 

The final department we must delve into is interceptions that Morgan Schneiderlin leads in with 2.21 per 90mins. Can averaged 1.81 which was better than both Vidal (1.44) and Gerrard (1.46).

 

So, judging by the statistics at hand, Can holds up quite well. He only wins one department but we must take his age into account. Up against the likes of Bender, Vidal and Gerrard, anyone would come out third or fourth best, but Can holds his own and clearly has a lot of talent – but most importantly, a lot more potential.

[Lee909]

Im shocked a 20 year old midfielder with less than 30 starts doest not compare in stats with some of the best midfielders in Europe

[Sugar Ape]

Im shocked a 20 year old midfielder with less than 30 starts doest not compare in stats with some of the best midfielders in Europe

 

That is one of the things the article is spelling out when it says such as:

 

So, judging by the statistics at hand, Can holds up quite well. He only wins one department but we must take his age into account. Up against the likes of Bender, Vidal and Gerrard, anyone would come out third or fourth best, but Can holds his own and clearly has a lot of talent – but most importantly, a lot more potential.

 

[Lee909]

Just seems a bit of a pointless point they are making.

Can has some good stats but not as good as the top players in Europe,they would have been better comparing him with Pogba,Barkley etc

[kalasoma]

I had a go as this comparison matrix on Squawka but I swapped out Arturo Vidal and Gerrard and replaced them with defensive midfielders Daniele De Rossi, Carrick and added Sergio Busquets.

 

If you select interceptions, tackles won, blocks, take ons, fouls committed and overall defence (stuff that I might look at in defensive midfielders) and other things like forward passes for example, Carrick edges De Rossi.

[kalasoma]

Ross Barkley comes out better than Can and Pogba in the more attacking stats like attempts at goal and passing. Can comes out better with more defensive stats like aerial duels, tackles won. Pogba has better assist and chances created numbers but has played much more than Can and Barkley in a team that got over 100 points in Serie A.

[kalasoma]

It's easy this scouting stuff.

[Lee909]

Per 90 mins

 

[kalasoma]

Looking at the numbers, we should sign Javi Martinez.

Easy peazy.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Not sure what the article is hoping to achieve. He played at left back about 40% of the time. Not a shock that Gerrard, the controlling playmaker, had more touches. I know the article points it out, but it shouldn't have even compared the two really. 

[Trucker Paddy]

Not sure what the article is hoping to achieve. He played at left back about 40% of the time. Not a shock that Gerrard, the controlling playmaker, had more touches. I know the article points it out, but it shouldn't have even compared the two really.

True, but as you know you can use stats to prove any argument.

Is he any good this lad, I've never seen him play

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

True, but as you know you can use stats to prove any argument.

Is he any good this lad, I've never seen him play

 

 

Lots of potential. You don't see many young defensive midfielders playing like Pat Vieira when they're 19/20, and this guy is no different. Actually, Patrick Vieira wasn't playing like Patrick Vieira when he was 19/20. He's raw but as you'd expect from coming out of the German system he's technically sound; as long as he shows enough to keep people interested, hopefully he'll get the time to settle and impress. Most players don't get that now. It's a pre-season game and one premier league appearance before they're written off. 

[kalasoma]

Or sign Koke?

[Jose Jones]

I think signing someone who can fill in a couple of midfield positions now with room to develop and take over the DM spot in a year or two is a good idea. I'm in. Spunk big cash on an attacker.

[Jairzinho]

Midfielders shouldn't be compared to Vidal. Its unfair.