Interessant innlegg fra en finne på Waccoe:
I know that most of us are waiting players to strengthen e thfirst team, but still thought I would share few facts about Aapo Halme, as a fellow finn and as a somebody who has actually seen him play. (I live in Helsinki)
Aapo Halme played his first game in Finnish top division 2014 when he had just turned 16. Most teams in the Finnish Veikkausliiga are perhaps about the same level, than teams in upper National League. He has played in all junior national teams from U15 to U21 and he is the most exciting prospect of Finnish U19/U21 teams, after Arsenal youth team goalkeeper Keto.
Aapo Halme is a tall (6â€5) ball playing, centre back, who has been likened to Sami Hyypiä, because his calmness with the ball, passing range and accuracy, aerial capability and reading of the game. Last season (ended in October) his team HJK won the league, he played only in 13 matches (of 33) because injuries, but the stats were amazing even considering the level of the league.
- 87% Accurate passes
- 79% of Air challenges won
- 77% of Def.challenges won
- 64% of tackles won
- 4,8 interceptions /90min
Stat-wise nearest premier league players 2017/2018 might be Dejan Lovren or Shkodran Mustafi, in championship Derby’s Curtis Davis and with bit of stretching, Pontus Jansson (without dribbling). Pontus should be a perfect mentor for Halme anyway, because as a bonus he can use his native Swedish with Halme, he should be able to understand Swedish perfectly well.
Halme has a long way to go. He has lot of work to do with his physics and he has to get use to the tempo of the game, but we should be able to find a club from league two/one he could go on loan next season and take from there.
auren