Derby County must strengthen their squad in January and one player who would represent a fine potential option is Bilal Basacikoglu following his recent release.
The Dutch-born winger is a current free transfer after leaving Kayserispor in Turkey.
According to ELF Voetbal, financial arrears prompted his release and Premier League sides Leicester City and Norwich City plus Hull City have since been linked with him.
The 24-year-old is a fast, tricky winger who thrives in a 4-3-3 system. He was previously on the books of Feyenoord, and this season posted three assists in five starts.
Basacilkoglu has plenty of ability. And Derby need some creativity in the side.
Manager Phillip Cocu has been dealt a difficult hand since taking over from Frank Lampard last summer. The squad is devoid of any real quality.
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Top scorer Harry Wilson and the creativity of Mason Mount haven’t been replaced. And Derby have felt the effects this season, scoring just 21 goals in 23 games.
Jack Marriott and Martyn Waghorn thrive on service. But Derby’s mix of wide options – Florian Jozefzoon, Mason Bennett, Tom Lawrence and Duane Holmes – haven’t impressed.
Many supporters were excited with the prospect of Cocu. But the Dutchman hasn’t had the opportunity to bring in his own players yet or explore the foreign market to his advantage.
January will be a big month for the club. The squad needs an injection of quality, and results need to improve with Derby slipping towards the Championship’s bottom three.
A player of Basacilkoglu’s mould could provide a much-needed boost, and he could be the sort of signing to help Cocu get some of the doubting supporters back on side.
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