Hakan is equally natural as #10, as LW cutting inside or as offensive #8 (the David Silva / Iniesta role in 4-3-3). In diamond formation he's perfectly suited for the most advanced midfield role playing killer balls, not so much for the more physically demanding "wide" CM role behind. He's not an athletic beast like Paul, or as hard-working as Bruno. Think of him as slightly less talented, but more mobile Mesut Özil - with brilliant set-piece technique as well.
Remind me, who are the major transfers from Serie A to PL recently? Salah, Alisson and Pogba all walk into best PL XI at the moment. Jorginho, Rudiger - maybe not world class but both justified their transfer fees. It's also the league where the new Caf darling Cavani became the player he is, and Bruno actually flopped there and was sent back to Portugal. Come to think of it, Italian league actually seems to be one of the most reliable competitions to buy from...
Hakan is not just any random midfielder there, but the highest rated and most creative playmaker in Italy. The guy turned down Juve to negotiate with us!
Last edited: