It’s no secret that Bolton’s Erhun Oztumer has been out of favour this season. The midfielder signed from League One Walsall last summer and his trickery on the ball and cool-headed playing style looked to be just what Bolton needed.
Fast-forward a few months, however, and Oztumer, dubbed the Turkish Messi before his move to Bolton, couldn’t get a game.
After playing a recurring role in the squad in the season’s early weeks, Oztumer was simply dropped from the squad without any explanation.
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From the end of October until the start of April, the midfielder made just two appearances for Phil Parkinson’s side.
In all, Oztumer made 18 appearances for Bolton last season, scoring just once on his debut.
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Now though, the midfielder is rumoured to be the target recently promoted side Charlton Athletic.
Despite inexplicably falling out of favour last season, it would be foolish to let Erhun Oztumer go without a fight.
The midfielder was one of the few players who showed any sort of flair during the previous campaign. While he may not have featured highly in the Championship, Oztumer has the talent and skill to tear League One to shreds.
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Just look at the goal he scored against Bolton during the 2016/17 season.
However, given the style of football Phil Parkinson has employed in the last few years, Oztumer is unlikely to get a look-in. As the midfielder isn’t the tallest of players, Bolton’s hoofball tactics of the past year or two simply haven’t benefited Oztumer.
Therefore, with the addition of Wanderers’ tumultuous financial position, it wouldn’t be hard to see Oztumer leave this summer, no matter how well suited to League One he might be.