Aral Şimşir – The Turkish Jewel of FC Midtjylland by Jaden Dakwa
Some dribblers are described as flair dribblers. Players that are adept at using fancy skills to deceive opponents. Some dribblers are described as technical dribblers. Players that use close control, feints and fake shots to maneuver their way through the opposition.
Aral Şimşir seems to be a mixture of both and it has become scary to Superligaen defenders.
According to Sofascore, Simsir is averaging 3.8 successful dribbles per game. He also has the joint highest number of completed dribbles in a match so far this Danish Superliga season, 7.
No other player in the top five leagues of Europe (La Liga, Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Serie A) is averaging more than 3.5 successful dribbles per game.
These are leagues with mainly more skilled defenders than the Danish Superliga, but Simsir’s averages hold weight for the quantity not just quality. Any player beating the opposition that many times on average is usually a problem for the opposition.
Şimşir’s three goals and three assists have helped lead FC Midtjylland to first place so far in the Danish Superliga. The club currently leads the league by 2 points over FC København.
FC Midtjylland marked intent to follow up their previous title-winning season with new ambition after a win against FC København on September 14th.
One of the most glaring omissions from the previous international break was Aral Simsir not making the Turkey national team.
The Turkish national team has been blessed with a new wave of attacking talent spearheaded from Arda Guler.
Şimşir seems to be cementing himself as a bright young talent in world football.
In a landscape of European football that is becoming heavily dominated with positional play, possession and compact systems, Şimşir will surely have some level of value for a number of clubs.
Wide attackers that have the ability to beat their man while linking with their teammates are cherished to a heavier extent compared to eras in the past. Wingers with creativity and passing ability will likely fit in a majority of systems across Europe.
Şimşir has already created eight big chances in the Danish Superliga. He currently sits second in the league for this statistic.
This is characteristic of a creative playmaker not just a player who is a successful dribbler, but someone who is creating chances for others.
There is a final delivery. There is a high level of end product.
Some young wingers lack in this department and refine this aspect of their game as they ease into their prime.
Aral Şimşir’s end product at the age of 22 is advanced, but could still use more development.
A total of 45 goals and 32 assists across 169 competitive appearances at the youth and professional level shows a level of proficiency.
This provides a goal output of Şimşir providing a goal contribution close to every other game.
In the Danish Superliga specifically, his numbers are not as proficient. The level of his performances without scoring and little flashes of brilliance are what is extremely encouraging.
There are targeted areas for Şimşir’s development that could enhance his attacking threat.
He could use his weak foot even more in dribbling scenarios and shooting. When he does use his left foot, Şimşir does seem to have a decent level of comfort.
His finishing can become even more lethal. In the 2023/2024 season, he took 46 shots and scored 4 goals, according to FBref.com. This is an average of close to 0.1% conversion on goals per shot.
Some elite attackers have ended their best seasons with close to 0.2%.
If Şimşir can hit these levels of conversions, his goal tally will likely start climbing into double figures.
Through the first ten matches of the Danish Superliga, Aral Şimşir ranked as the third best playmaker from open-play, according to Danish Scout.
This totals key passes, passes to the final third, and progressive passes.
A level of variation could help unlock more opportunities for Şimşir on the pitch.
He can become a more accurate crosser and lengthen his passing range for more incisiveness on the pitch.
Wingers do not always need a vast passing range, but it would only help if Şimşir has ambitions to play in even more advanced leagues.
His game needs to be rounded out more, but he already seems to have the basic tools for a promising young attacker.
For a creative playmaker, he is seemingly pairing control with sprinkles of flair. Şimşir provides structure with creativity in a sport that has seen a rise of backwards and sideways passes in the final third. These passes and control of possession are not necessarily a bad thing. Keeping possession of the ball is one of the most paramount principles in football.
Being able to carry the ball and retain possession is a combination that many elite playmakers strive to possess.
Şimşir is aiming to put himself in that category.