FM 2015 Wonderkids To Watch — Ali Adnan

Ali Adnan Kadhim

Club: Caykur Rizespor

Position: DL/WBL/ML

Age: 19

Nationality: Iraqi

The kids a bit like: Gareth Bale

Clubs to show interest: Chelsea, Roma, Arsenal, Sevilla and Galatasaray

‘Asia’s Gareth Bale’ they say? Strong words and maybe a phrase thrown around too often but when those words are uttered you have to stand up and take notice. Ali Adnan joined Baghdad FC aged 15 and soon became a first team regular aged just 18. From that point on Ali garnered interest from around the world. Ittihad Jeddah of Saudi Arabia came close before Galatasaray made a serious move, but it was fellow Turkish side Rizespor who secured Adnan’s signature. As one of the potential FM 2015 wonderkids Adnan could be one of few real quality complete wing backs. Compared to Bale for his speed, ability in both defence, attack and potential to craft magical moments. Not to mention a lethal set piece ability.

Last years game, FM13, saw Ali Adnan with ‘-7’ flexible potential, which for those who don’t know is quite low, it certainly wouldn’t warrant interest from good top flight clubs. However, that was before Adnan scored 3 goals and assisted 9 in the Turkish Süper Lig. Likelihood is the researchers at SI only had a great performance in the 2013 U20 World Cup to go off before the games release. While Ali was fantastic in that tournament guiding Iraq to a fourth place finish, there wasn’t enough consistent evidence to warrant a high potential rating, despite this kid being a regular for the Iraq senior side. But as mentioned, this year is different and I think the researchers at SI will acknowledge Adnan’s progression with a much increased potential rating.

Ali Adnan’s stats

Turkish Süper Lig 13/14: Appearances: 31 / Goals: 3 / Assists: 9

Iraq senior team: Appearances: 20 / Goals: 1

Iraq youth teams: Appearances: 21 / Goals: 6

What should we expect from this FM 2015 wonderkid? He’ll certainly be most comfortable at DL and maybe accomplished at WBL and ML. His favourite role has to be complete wing back though the other relevant roles will follow close behind. I think he’ll be awarded very high set piece taking ability, great physicals like pace, acceleration and agility as well as great ability on the ball for crossing and dribbling etc. I just think he’ll be an all round player and it would be nice to see SI award a -9 potential, or a fixed potential of somewhere between 155 and 165 which would certainly indicate a Premier League star.