Emir Ortakaya
Country: Turkey
Date of birth: 22/06/2004 (19 years old)
Place of birth: Ankara (Turkey)
Height: —
Youth career: Genclerbirligi, Fenerbahçe (since 2021)
Current club: Kocaelispor (on loan from Fenerbahçe)
Squad number: 4
Current national team: Turkey U-19
Position: central defender, left-back
Preferred foot: left
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 900.000 €
Tournaments participated in: —
Contract until: 30.06.2027
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Jan Vertonghen
Strengths:
– tackling 
– anticipation
– aerial duels
– timing
– pace 
– passing
– athleticism
To improve:
– a very complete profile for a centre-back of his age, who still needs to polish/improve some elements of his game such as defending on his weaker side and even better play under pressure
Style of play:
– complete, elegant, and dominant centre-back
– player with very good body mass ratio, physical strength, power, stamina, and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations
– good pace, especially at longer distances
– a very good option to play as a left-sided centre-back in a three-man defence system
– can also cover the left-back position if needed
– likes to leave the line and prefers an active style of defending by getting into challenges and pressing opponents
– likes to maraud forward with the ball at his feet
– likes to make well-timed sliding tackles
– elegant and very comfortable on the ball with an above-average range of passing at all distances/takes a major impact on all of the team’s build-up process
– known for his good confidence in possession, composure, understanding of the game, and an above-average technical capacity
– likes to spread play with long-range diagonals
– tenacious and accurate tackler/strong in 1vs1 duels
– often cuts or intercepts passes and crosses near or inside his penalty area thanks to his anticipation, positioning, and timing
– committed player with a very good rate of individual and collective work
– good determination and recovery pace when tracking back
– very dominant in the air/aerial threat in the opposition box during set pieces
– charismatic and mature for his age/potential leader of the defensive line
Ortakaya stops a dangerous attack with a spectacular sliding tackle.
Ortakaya anticipates the pass, outpaces his opponent, and intercepts the ball.
Ortakaya marauds forward with the ball at his feet and plays a very good through pass.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Central defender in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
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League summary (as for 30 August 2023):
1.Lig 2022/2023: 31 games/1 goal (Göztepe)
1.Lig 2023/2024 (ongoing): 1 game/1 goal (Kocaelispor)
Description:
Emir Ortakaya is the son of a former professional footballer Mustafa Ulaş Ortakaya. He is a product of the Gençlerbirliği youth academy. He made his professional debut aged only 16 in the Turkish Cup game against Tuzlaspor. In August 2021, he joined the Fenerbahçe academy. Before the 22/23 season, he was sent on loan to Göztepe, where he quickly became an important member of the squad despite his young age. Emir will spend the current season on loan at Kocaelispor, where he already scored on his debut.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European league.
Links: