Liverpool-linked Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu has recently hailed the impact Arne Slot has had on his career.
Arne Slot has enjoyed a phenomenal first season as Liverpool boss thus far, having previously managed Eredivisie side Feyenoord. It was during his time in the Eredivisie the Dutch tactician had the experience of managing Orkun Kokcu, before the creative midfielder left Feyenoord for Benfica in the summer of 2023.
Kokcu has now explained the role Slot has played in shaping his early career, calling him ‘the best coach in the world’.
“Arne Slot is like a father. He made me who I am. He is the best coach in the world,” Kokcu confessed in an interview with Turkish outlet TRT Spor.
“When my old coach [Arne Slot] took over, I had a big breakthrough in his first season,” Kokcu added. “We reached the final of the Conference League that year, but unfortunately we lost.
“Still, I think my performance that season was very good. I actually wanted to transfer in the summer; some of the big clubs in the top six in England were interested in me.
“We had serious talks about a transfer, but it didn’t happen at the last minute. The following season, Arne Slot made me captain of the team, and that responsibility increased my performance even more.”
The Reds have reportedly been credited with an interest in Kokcu in recent months after his strong performances in Benfica colours this season. The Turkiye international has been a consistent performer in the middle of the park, notching four goals and three assists in 15 games for Benfica, leading to rumours about a switch to Anfield.
Orkun Kokcu to Liverpool—Will he be a good fit under Arne Slot?
Liverpool missed out on Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi in the summer as Slot felt his team needed reinforcements in the middle of the park. As a result, Slot had to stick to his guns and go with the squad that he inherited from the legendary Jurgen Klopp.
The Dutchman’s preferred midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai have done a fantastic job thus far, adding more poise and control to the games this season. Academy graduate Curtis Jones has thrived as an attacking No.8, demoting Szoboszlai to the bench in recent games.
Yet, the Merseyside giants require more depth in their squad to compete on all fronts, thus, making their interest in Kokcu sensible. Kokcu developed hugely under Slot’s guidance at Feyenoord and went on to become one of the Eredivisie’s biggest stars before moving to Portuguese giants Benfica last summer.
The Turkiye international can operate anywhere across the centre of the pitch as well as a wide-playmaker, and such flexibility will be a blessing for any club in world football, let alone Slot’s Liverpool. The Haarlem-born talent could slot in alongside Mac Allister and Gravenberch whilst competing with Szoboszlai for the no.10 role. He’d immediately improve the Liverpool squad, adding creativity, dynamism, combativeness and flair.
Kokcu has a mammoth €150m release clause in his Benfica contract that runs until 2028, although it is believed he could be available for €80million in 2025. At €80million, the ex-Feyenoord star is not too expensive in terms of all-action, modern-day midfielders, and if the Reds are to compete for major honours, they must show ambition by signing Kokcu from Benfica in January.