Jerome Opoku 

Jerome Opoku's emergence at İstanbul Başakşehir this season paints the picture of a defender with a solid blend of traditional and modern attributes. At 26, he's not just a pillar in defence but also demonstrates an impressive knack for retaining possession, highlighting his composure under pressure. His ability to win duels one-on-one is commendable, making him a reliable figure when it comes to thwarting opposition advances. Where Opoku truly surprises is in his attacking contributions, showing a surprising flair for chance creation that's unusual for a centre-back—a testament to his vision and passing acumen. While his progressive passing could stand to improve, his capability to carry the ball forward adds a dynamic edge to his game. As the scout report suggests, his penalty area defending isn't as robust as one might expect, indicating an area for development. Nevertheless, Opoku's defensive reliability combined with his unexpected attacking contributions make him a fascinating player to watch this season, embodying a style of play that blends defensive grit with offensive promise.