Ahmetcan Kaplan Scout Report: A Left-Footed Centre-Back Built for Duels
Ahmetcan Kaplan has evolved into a more duel-dominant defender at NEC Nijmegen while retaining the passing quality he showed at Ajax.
What Type of Centre-Back Is Ahmetcan Kaplan?
Ahmetcan Kaplan is a 23-year-old Turkish centre-back who stands 1.89 metres tall and is naturally left-footed.
Across the last three seasons, his StatsLook profile shows a defender whose responsibilities have changed significantly depending on the team around him.
At Ajax, Kaplan was more heavily involved in possession and build-up. At NEC Nijmegen, he has become far more active in direct defensive actions, physical duels and ball recovery.
In the 2025/26 Eredivisie season with NEC, he recorded:
25 appearances
2,047 minutes
92% starts
1 goal
6.88 average rating
Top 22% at his position
The headline numbers, however, are defensive.
Kaplan averaged 8.09 duels won per 90, ranking second among Eredivisie centre-backs, and 5.32 ball recoveries, ranking first.
That combination defines his current profile.
NEC Changed the Nature of His Role
The biggest difference between Kaplan’s Ajax and NEC seasons is not simply passing volume.
It is how much defending he is being asked to do.
In 2024/25 with Ajax, he averaged:
5.11 duels won
1.55 aerials won
2.02 ball recoveries
At NEC in 2025/26, those numbers rose to:
8.09 duels won
3.30 aerials won
5.32 ball recoveries
The increase is substantial.
Kaplan has moved into a role where he is involved much more frequently in direct defensive actions.
Ranking #1 for ball recoveries and #2 for duels won shows that his value at NEC is now heavily tied to physical defending and regaining possession.
8.09 Duels Won: One of the Strongest Signals in His Profile
Kaplan’s most impressive current metric is his duel success volume.
He wins 8.09 duels per 90, the second-best figure among Eredivisie centre-backs.
This is not entirely new.
In 2023/24 with Ajax, he also ranked second in the same category with 7.46 duels won per 90.
That matters because it suggests duel strength is not merely a by-product of NEC’s tactical environment.
It is a consistent part of the player’s profile.
Kaplan is comfortable:
Engaging strikers physically
Stepping out of the defensive line
Competing for second balls
Defending forwards receiving with their back to goal
Using contact rather than avoiding it
At 1.89m, that gives him a strong base against more physical forwards.
Aerial Strength Has Returned
Kaplan’s aerial numbers have varied across the last three seasons.
In 2023/24:
3.85 aerial duels won per 90 — #2
In 2024/25:
1.55 — #44
In 2025/26:
3.30 — #8
The variation is significant, but it should not be read as a simple decline and recovery in ability.
The more likely explanation is context: different teams, different defensive responsibilities and different types of matches.
At NEC, he is once again being exposed to a much higher volume of direct aerial defending, and the numbers show he remains capable of winning those situations.
Best in the League for Ball Recoveries
Kaplan averages 5.32 ball recoveries per 90, ranking first among Eredivisie centre-backs.
His wider 2025/26 defensive output includes:
2.15 tackles — #10
1.10 interceptions — #38
5.63 clearances — #32
5.32 ball recoveries — #1
This distribution is revealing.
His interception ranking is only moderate, while his tackling and recovery numbers are much stronger.
That suggests Kaplan is less of a passive, lane-reading defender and more of an active centre-back who steps into actions and competes directly for possession.
Ajax Showed His Passing Ceiling
Kaplan’s Ajax seasons reveal the other important side of his profile.
In 2024/25, he averaged:
64.32 accurate passes per 90 — #10
92.4% pass accuracy — #2
84.77 touches — #10
A year earlier, in 2023/24, he produced:
67.37 accurate passes — #7
88.6% pass accuracy — #2
7.29 long balls per 90
Those numbers demonstrate that Kaplan can operate within a possession-heavy structure and maintain a high level of passing security.
His natural left foot also adds structural value in build-up.
For teams that want to progress from the back, a left-footed centre-back who can pass under volume is especially useful on the left side of a back four or back three.
Did His Passing Decline at NEC?
On the surface, the numbers are lower.
2024/25 at Ajax:
64.32 accurate passes / 92.4% accuracy
2025/26 at NEC:
43.88 accurate passes / 86.6% accuracy
Touches also fell from:
84.77 to 72.46
But it would be too simplistic to say that Kaplan became a worse passer.
His environment changed dramatically.
At Ajax, he operated in a team that asked its centre-backs to participate heavily in possession.
At NEC, his defensive workload increased.
The contrast is clear:
Accurate passes: 64.32 → 43.88
while:
Ball recoveries: 2.02 → 5.32
The shift is better understood as a change in role rather than a loss of technical quality.
2023/24 May Be the Most Complete Version
Of the three seasons, 2023/24 may offer the most interesting reference point for Kaplan’s ceiling.
That year he combined:
7.46 duels won — #2
3.85 aerials won — #2
67.37 accurate passes — #7
88.6% pass accuracy — #2
7.29 long balls per 90
1.93 tackles
This is significant because it shows Kaplan has already demonstrated the ability to combine high defensive output with heavy involvement in possession.
In 2024/25, the profile became more possession-oriented.
In 2025/26, it became more defence-oriented.
The 2023/24 season is the clearest evidence that both sides of his game can coexist.
Why His Left Foot Matters
The value of a left-footed centre-back is not simply rarity.
A natural left footer can:
Open cleaner angles towards the left-back
Progress into the left half-space
Switch play without adjusting body shape
Break the first line of pressure from a different angle
Operate naturally as the left centre-back in a back three
Kaplan’s Ajax passing numbers show that this is not just a theoretical advantage.
He has already demonstrated that he can contribute to build-up at high volume.
Long Passing Is an Area to Revisit
Kaplan’s long-ball volume has declined over the last three seasons.
2023/24:
7.29 per 90
2024/25:
4.99
2025/26:
4.18
In 2025/26, that places him only #53 among Eredivisie centre-backs.
That does not mean he lacks long passing ability.
It does show that the current version of his game uses it less frequently.
For a defender with his technical background, adding more consistent:
Diagonal switches
Direct balls into the striker
Passes over the first pressure line
would increase the variety of his build-up game.
Aggression Comes With Risk
Kaplan’s defensive aggression has a cost.
In 2025/26, he averaged:
1.58 fouls per 90 — #61
0.75 times dribbled past — #55
These are important warning signs.
Kaplan likes to step forward and engage early.
When the timing is right, that produces elite duel and recovery numbers.
When it is wrong, he can either concede a foul or be bypassed.
That makes decision-making around when to step out and when to hold the line one of his key development areas.
Tackling Volume Has Been Consistent
One of the most stable parts of Kaplan’s profile is his tackling volume.
2023/24: 1.93
2024/25: 2.26
2025/26: 2.15
Despite different roles and environments, he remains close to two tackles per 90.
That consistency shows he is not a centre-back who avoids contact even when playing in a possession-dominant side.
Not Elite in Interceptions or Blocks
At NEC, Kaplan records:
1.10 interceptions — #38
0.62 blocks — #49
These numbers do not place him among the best positional defenders in the league.
His strongest defensive output comes from:
duels + physical contact + recoveries
rather than constantly reading passing lanes or producing a high block volume.
That distinction matters when thinking about his ideal defensive partner.
What Type of Partner Suits Him Best?
Kaplan could benefit from playing next to a centre-back who is stronger in:
Defensive positioning
Covering depth
Managing the line
Reading runs early
Protecting space behind aggressive challenges
Kaplan can then step out and attack the ball with greater freedom.
A back-three role could also suit him well.
As the left-sided centre-back, he would have more licence to engage forwards while still having central cover behind him.
Attacking Contribution Is Secondary
Kaplan scored once in the 2025/26 Eredivisie season.
His total xG was 1.70, or 0.07 per 90.
That suggests some set-piece presence, but attacking output is not central to his value.
His main qualities remain:
Duel strength
Aerial ability
Ball recovery
Left-footed build-up
Passing security
Strengths
Duel dominance
At 8.09 duels won per 90, Kaplan ranks second among Eredivisie centre-backs.
Ball recovery
His 5.32 recoveries per 90 rank first.
Aerial ability
At 3.30 aerials won, he sits inside the top 10.
Left-footed profile
A major structural advantage for possession-oriented teams.
Proven passing quality
His Ajax seasons showed that he can sustain high pass volumes with elite accuracy.
Physical profile
At 1.89m, he is capable of competing effectively both on the ground and in the air.
Areas for Development
Timing of aggression
His dribbled-past and foul numbers show that stepping out can occasionally become too risky.
Long-range distribution
His current long-ball volume is lower than in previous seasons.
Positional defending
Mid-level interception and block rankings suggest room for improvement in defending situations before contact is required.
Combining defending and build-up
Kaplan has already shown both qualities separately.
The next step is producing them at the same time over a full season.
Best Tactical Environment
Kaplan should be most effective in a team that:
Wants to build from the back
Values a natural left-footed centre-back
Defends with an aggressive front-foot approach
Allows centre-backs to step into duels
Uses a relatively high defensive line
Has enough cover behind the first challenge
He could function in a lower-possession side because of his defensive strength.
But his full potential is more likely to emerge in a team that also makes use of his passing ability.
Three Seasons, Three Different Versions
Kaplan’s last three seasons present three slightly different profiles.
Ajax 2023/24
The balanced version
Strong in duels, strong in the air and heavily involved in passing.
Ajax 2024/25
The possession version
92.4% pass accuracy and 64.32 accurate passes per 90 made build-up his clearest contribution.
NEC 2025/26
The defensive version
8.09 duels won and 5.32 recoveries made physical defending the dominant feature of his game.
The key scouting question is therefore:
Can Kaplan combine the best elements of all three versions in the same season?
If he can, the profile becomes considerably more valuable.
StatsLook Scout Verdict
Ahmetcan Kaplan should not be judged solely through his current NEC defensive numbers.
Across three seasons, he has shown two different high-level qualities.
On one side:
8.09 duels won, 5.32 ball recoveries and 3.30 aerials won.
On the other:
92.4% pass accuracy, 64+ accurate passes per 90 and heavy involvement in possession.
Both profiles belong to the same player.
Kaplan’s next step is to merge the defensive intensity he has developed at NEC with the build-up quality he previously showed at Ajax.
If he manages that consistently, he can become more than a strong Eredivisie defender.
He has the tools to develop into a modern left-footed centre-back suited to high-tempo, possession-oriented football.
StatsLook Player Profile
Primary role: Left centre-back
Alternative role: Left centre-back in a back three
Defensive style: Aggressive, contact-oriented
Best attribute: Duel dominance
Secondary strengths: Ball recovery and aerial ability
On the ball: Secure short passer with proven high-volume build-up ability
Development areas: Timing of challenges and long-range distribution
Ideal partner: Positionally strong covering centre-back
Scout definition: A duel-dominant, left-footed centre-back with proven build-up quality
Data note: The 2025/26 totals cover Kaplan’s Eredivisie season with NEC Nijmegen. The 2023/24 and 2024/25 season totals cover all competitions with Ajax, while the per-90 positional rankings are based on Eredivisie centre-backs with at least 450 minutes. The different sample sizes and competition scopes should be considered when comparing seasons.
