Emre Can (Liverpool > Juventus)

Only saw the first half but thought he was playing well! Got a lot of potential this guy, could easily go on to become one of the best, if not the best in his position in the league within the next couple of years.

Take away the goal I thought Liverpool were really solid defensively and the relentlessness of Can was SO impressive.

Take away the goal I thought Liverpool were really solid defensively and the relentlessness of Can was SO impressive.

He's going to be amazing. I was excited when I saw his youtube vids, after watching him live for 20 minutes I was very impressed. Now after another game under his belt I'm mapping out a huge future for this lad.

Which is when I think he's only 20, we need to calm down for sure an temper our expectations with his age. It's scary how good this lad can be and it's too tempting to start saying he's can be as good as etc etc. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy watching him develop and final settle on what his position is.

He's going to be amazing. I was excited when I saw his youtube vids, after watching him live for 20 minutes I was very impressed. Now after another game under his belt I'm mapping out a huge future for this lad.

Which is when I think he's only 20, we need to calm down for sure an temper our expectations with his age. It's scary how good this lad can be and it's too tempting to start saying he's can be as good as etc etc. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy watching him develop and final settle on what his position is.

Goes to show there is a lot of talent out there to be had outside of the "big names"

Goes to show there is a lot of talent out there to be had outside of the "big names"

Absolutely. And also, the depth of talent level in Germany that's still available at reasonable prices.

--

Can was very good again last night. Top work rate, good bit of surprising pace, strong, doesn't over complicate it and plays smart. Another good aspect of his game is that he can operate anywhere in midfield. It's kinda crazy how physically imposing he is considering he' still only 20 years old. I agree with Swab above, Can is going to be a starter very soon. Maybe even sooner than some think.

The footwork and body control he has for such a big and powerful player is incredible!!  He has a fair few tricks that he can pull when he is on the ball!! 

I've seen a few people compare the lad to Gerrard, which is probably a little unfair but I certainly understand where they are coming from.  Stevie was definitely better at a few things than what Emre is ever likely to be (long passing, shooting from distance, and probably a little faster in a dead sprint), but Can is probably already better at a few other things (stronger, better tackler, better weak foot, and better dribbling skills) than Stevie ever was. 

I think this kid is going to be a really big player for us this year.  It may take him a little while to settle into the team, but when he does he is going to be a real beast in our midfield!!

I still just like how he shoots an evil glare at anyone that dares challenge him on the ball. It's almost like he's taking mental notes that he'll cash in on later when he gets the chance

The run at 2:20 was fantastic and I agree with Swab, this kid is going to be starting XI very soon.

Watched the replay at 1pm today on my mobile and remember thinking exactly that at the time, this season is gonna be his best in his (so far) short career!

Just watched the second half again, this lad just oozes class.  So comfortable on the ball.  Fast AND strong when going forward.  Looks like he and Coutinho are already on the same wavelength in their link up play.

my friend watches all of leverkusen's games and he laughed at me when i had Can on the bench, he swore to me that Can would be starting by the middle of the season, so far i think thats a possibility, he is class

Just watched the second half again, this lad just oozes class.  So comfortable on the ball.  Fast AND strong when going forward.  Looks like he and Coutinho are already on the same wavelength in their link up play.

Who will Can dethrone?

Looked very promising to me. His big frame is deceptive, as he has incredible technique. Looks a confident player who doesn't just want to pass the ball on either. Could be our best signing of the summer, but we will have to see what Adam and Lazar can offer us.

I haven't watched any of the pre season games yet, and I don't think it's fair to get our hopes up yet after a pre season friendly.

A lot of us were singing praise of Iago Aspas last season in preseason, turned out to be a flop.

I will judge him when the season starts.

However, after watching the youtube highlights of his, he looked decent on the ball, excellent first touch and he looks like an absolute machine (might cover more ground than Henderson)

I met a fellow Red at a pub this morning for breakfast and beer (in anticipation of the Olympiakos match in Chicago tomorrow), and the 3 things he had to say about Can were:

1.  Man-child
2.  Beast
3.  Future Star

I agreed

I haven't watched any of the pre season games yet, and I don't think it's fair to get our hopes up yet after a pre season friendly.

A lot of us were singing praise of Iago Aspas last season in preseason, turned out to be a flop.

I will judge him when the season starts.

However, after watching the youtube highlights of his, he looked decent on the ball, excellent first touch and he looks like an absolute machine (might cover more ground than Henderson)

I've watched quite a few Bayer Leverkusen games and he's the real deal. He also Captained Germany under 21's so he has a bright future. Aspas was from a lower 2nd league Spanish team. Can was from a 4th place Bundesliga team. That's like comparing apples to grapes. Henderson will need to step up his game if he plans on beating out Can for a starting XI spot.

Henderson will need to step up his game if he plans on beating out Can for a starting XI spot.

I think more than likely those two will be together on the pitch at the same time more often than not.

he looks like he wants to be that midfielder that we need, what a f**king immense signing this could turn out to be, and sooner rather than later!

Gerrard, Henderson, Can, Lucas, Allen + Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic - I love this mix

I can't be the only one looking forward to this lad running rampant this season.











Ladies. Put your clothes back on.

Early signs a re very promising aren't they, this kid looks a real talent. I thought he was for the most part a defensive midfielder but clearly there is a lot more to his game. I felt that under Brendan the one thing we have really lacked is power (at the back and in the middle of the park) but this lad could can (sorry!) change all that. So far he seems to have a bit of everything, he is built like a brick shi...t house but is surpisingly nimble, he can run with the ball and he looks technically very good. Deffo looks the pick of the signings at this early stage.

I'm not once again in the majority here, but I'm not quite as over the moon Harry about the kid as it seems everyone else is. Clearly he's physically very powerful and a decent player, but I can't see him breaking into our very first choice midfield for a bit, and now Lellana's got injured I'm starting to get a little concerned that none of our new signings will (aside from Lovren who I haven't seen yet). For me the modern midfielder has to be a bit of a specialist, and as such you'd better be very good at making game changing contributions on a semi regular basis. In short is Can going to be good enough to displace Gerrard anytime soon, or Henderson maybe? The latter is more likely IMHO, but I've got big asopirations for Jordan this season so it won't be easy. My guess is that Coutinho is going to have to be shoe-horned in there in order to add creativity, and as of yet I see Can as a bench option. 

I'm not once again in the majority here, but I'm not quite as over the moon Harry about the kid as it seems everyone else is. Clearly he's physically very powerful and a decent player, but I can't see him breaking into our very first choice midfield for a bit, and now Lellana's got injured I'm starting to get a little concerned that none of our new signings will (aside from Lovren who I haven't seen yet). For me the modern midfielder has to be a bit of a specialist, and as such you'd better be very good at making game changing contributions on a semi regular basis. In short is Can going to be good enough to displace Gerrard anytime soon, or Henderson maybe? The latter is more likely IMHO, but I've got big asopirations for Jordan this season so it won't be easy. My guess is that Coutinho is going to have to be shoe-horned in there in order to add creativity, and as of yet I see Can as a bench option. 

I see Can as playing across from Hendo with Stevie in the back.



Hendo                Can

            Stevie


Or subbing for Hendo/Stevie at anytime.

I think Stevie's minutes are going to be highly regulated over however many years he has left.

If Brendan works with him the same way he did with Henderson, the lad will be a F***ing monster.

I love this kid. The way he stares at whoever tackled or fouled him as if he is going to go all Liam Neeson on them next time.

And when he told Lazar to back off and he sprinted down the left against Olympiacos holding off his man the whole way.

His movement is great, seems a decent passer, terrific engine and strong as F**k.

Looks to be a find. Asserting himself in midfield, really has an eye for a through ball too. Could be Masch and Coutinho rolled into one!