Oz-Wizard of Defence?

Will Ozan Kabak Join the Red Devils?

Manchester United are in the market for a new center-back, as they need a solid and pacy partner alongside Harry Maguire. The Red Devils have thrown their hat in the race for Schalke defender and Liverpool target Ozan Kabak. United hope to bolster their defense with his addition, as they look to offload Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo this season.

Who is Ozan Kabak?

Ozan Muhammed Kabak was born on 25th March 2000 in Ankara, Turkey. He is a center back currently playing for the German side FC Schalke 04.

Club Career:

Ozan at Galatasaray

Ozan trained with the Galatasaray Youth Academy, joining in 2011. He signed his first professional contract with Galatasaray in the summer of 2017. He made his professional debut for Galatasaray in a 2-0 Süper Lig in May 2018.

VfB Stuttgart:

Kabak at VFB Stuttgart

Kabak moved to the Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart in January 2019, where he signed a contract until June 2024. He registered his first senior goals on 3 March as he scored twice in a 5-1 win over Hannover 96. In doing so at the age of 18 years, 11 months, 7 days, he became the youngest Turkish, youngest center back and third-youngest Stuttgart Player to ever score twice in a single Bundesliga Match.

Schalke 04:

Ozan with FC Schalke 04

Ozan joined Schalke 04 in the summer of 2019 on a 5-year contract for a fee of €15 million. The 20-year-old has been a regular performer for the German Club. Appearing in 36 games since his inclusion scoring 3 times, assisting 1.

International Career:

Ozan dons the National Team Jersey

Ozan is a youth international for Turkey. He captained the Tukey U17s at the 2017 UEFA European U17 Championship. He was listed as one of the top 10 players to watch by UEFA. Kabak made his debut for the Turkey senior team during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying match against Andorra, playing the full match that Turkey won 2-0.

Style of Play:

Is it a Bird? Is it a flight? It's the Oz

Kabak is a "defense-first" player in an age of ball-playing center-halves. He is big, but not in a lumbering way; Strong, but not in a 'has spent too much time in the gym to impress girls' way.

He displays an aptitude for one-on-one defending, something which defenders usually hone as they get older. He is also partial to a tackle, although he does not pick his moments well, his judgment on the timing of each tackle is good. 

Having 0.88 tackles/game, he has 4 yellow cards and 1 red card this season. 

He has 1.12 interceptions/game and 3.25 clearances/ game. 

He completed 88% out of the 409 passes he made.

London is Calling, Oz:

London is Calling

Injury issues around Axel Tuanzebe and Eric Bailly have worried the Club. While Victor Lindelof's fitness has been a problem in recent times. Both Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo also seem like leaving Old Trafford. Amidst this uncertainty, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to strengthen his defensive ranks with the addition of the Turkey International.