Claude Puel made a number of good signings and opened a few eyebrows when he did his transfer dealing through his short time in charge at Leicester City. Caglar Soyuncu, Filip Benkovic. James Maddison, Ricardo Pereira, Youri Tielemans and Rachid Ghezzal were all recruited under the time “The French” was in charge.
James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira did the most out of last season, establishing themselves in the Leicester City first team. Filip Benkovic made a sensational loan spell with Celtic, joining Brendan Rodgers, and his treble trophy chase, and the Croatian U.21 international won them all as Rodgers moved down to take charge at Leicester City.
Youri Tielemans and his loan swap with Adrien Silva was a sensational move pulled through and it has seent Leicester City in an outfit more exciting than ever, playing football few would believe was impossible just months ago.
Caglar Soyuncu had a good pre-season campaign playing most of the games alongside Jonny Evans, so the partnership was prepared during the summer with all the uncertainty concerning Harry Maguire.
Caglar Soyuncu is a different player from Maguire, not going as much forward and probably not making his presence as obvious as the now Man Utd defender did. But in most other areas and technically he looks almost ideal and perfect for the role Brendan Rodgers now looks as if he will fill with the Turkey internationals qualities.
Suyuncu impressed heavilly during his two seasons in Bundesliga, and during the transfer windows of those years being linked with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Roma.
“Silky” as he has been described, stayed firm at Freiburg who finished in an impressive 7th position in that first 2016/17 season, with Soyuncu playing 24 of those games. The next season and before that transfer to Leicester City he did play 26 times as Freiburg secured their existence in the Bundesliga with a 15th place, five points above the relegation zone.
Christian Streich, the manager at Freiburg since 2011, is one knowing the markets around in Europe and he did see Caglar’s talent, snapping him up from 2nd tier Turkish club Altinordu.
During Caglar’s early years in football he was briefly playing at all youth levels for Turkey, but not on a regular basis. Caglar made his full international debut in March 2016, coming on as a sub in a friendly v. Sweden. He played his 2nd game from start in a 0-0 draw v. Russia. His best attributes as a defender is described to be accurate passing, leadership and a bit surprisingly, a good dribbler.
A key fact to not fault is that Caglar Soyuncu made his full international debut at the age of 19, he is in his 2nd season at Leicester City, has reached the age of 23, and so far played 24 times for Turkey, and follows Muzzy Izzet at Leicester City in that capacity.
Last season did not see Caglar at all as the player he is, being shadowed by Jonny Evans and Wes Morgan who was favored to play alongside Harry Maguire. Caglar got few chanses to shine, playing eight games in the Leicester City first team. He actually played the equal for Turkey, being a regular member of their squad.
Looking back at the games he played for Leicester City last season, the records are not a surprise, as the appearances he was involved in, results were; five draws, two wins and only one defeat. He featured in wins v. Watford and Fulham, and also played in that 1-1 quarter final draw v. Man City, missing his penalty in the shoot out sessions.
Claude Puel, Fatih Terim, Brendan Rodgers and Christian Streich should not be faulted in how they recognize talent and they all are agreeing on the fact that Caglar Soyuncu is one of the most interesting young central defenders in Europe.
Pep Guardiola, Arsene Wenger and Diego Simeone all had their scouts in Germany to watch Caglar, and the £19million fee paid by Leicester City could be seen as a steel if this season becomes the big breakthrough for the Turkey international.
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