Overview
Jimmy Durmaz, born on 22 March 1989, is a Swedish professional footballer who primarily operates as a midfielder. Standing at 1.80 m, Durmaz has established a career spanning over a decade in top-flight European football, representing clubs in Sweden, Turkey, Greece, and France. Known for his technical proficiency and work rate, he has been a consistent presence for both his clubs and the Sweden national team.
Position
While often deployed as a wide midfielder or winger, Durmaz possesses the versatility to play across the midfield. His ability to operate on either flank or in a central attacking role has made him a valuable asset. Throughout his career, managers have utilized his skillset to provide width, deliver crosses, and contribute to both offensive and defensive phases of play.
Identity
Durmaz's identity on the pitch is characterized by his technical ability, vision, and dead-ball expertise. He is often recognized as a creative wide player who can unlock defenses with precise passing and timely deliveries into the box. His commitment to tracking back and contributing defensively also speaks to his all-round game. A headline identity for Durmaz would be a 'Technical and industrious wide midfielder with a natural left foot'.
Career path
Jimmy Durmaz began his football journey in his native Sweden, progressing through the youth ranks before making his senior debut. His professional career has taken him through several European leagues, each move marking a significant step in his development.
Early Career in Sweden
Durmaz started his senior career at BK Forward in 2006, where he spent two seasons before making a move to top-tier club Malmö FF. He joined Malmö FF in 2008 and quickly established himself as a key player. During his tenure, he was part of the squad that won the Allsvenskan title in 2010. His performances in Sweden garnered attention from clubs abroad, leading to his first international transfer.
Move to Turkey and Greece
In 2012, Durmaz moved to Turkish Süper Lig side Gençlerbirliği S.K. He spent two seasons in Turkey, making 61 appearances and scoring 9 goals, according to Transfermarkt. This period further honed his skills in a competitive league. Following his time in Turkey, Durmaz transferred to Greek giants Olympiacos in 2014. At Olympiacos, he experienced significant success, winning the Super League Greece title twice in 2015 and 2016. He played in both domestic and European competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, during his time in Piraeus.
French and Later Career
After his successful stint in Greece, Durmaz moved to France, joining Toulouse FC in 2016. He spent three seasons in Ligue 1, contributing to the club's efforts to maintain their top-flight status. His time at Toulouse was marked by consistent performances on the wing and an important role in set-piece situations. In 2019, Durmaz returned to Turkey, signing with Galatasaray S.K., adding another major club to his résumé. Following his time with Galatasaray, he had spells at Fatih Karagümrük and then Kocaelispor, as documented by his career history on Wikipedia, continuing to play at a high level.
Playing style
Jimmy Durmaz's playing style is defined by a blend of technical finesse, tactical intelligence, and a strong work ethic. Primarily a wide midfielder, his attributes are well-suited to creating opportunities and contributing defensively.
Technical Attributes
Durmaz possesses an excellent left foot, which is central to his attacking output. His crossing ability from the flanks is a notable strength, often delivering accurate balls into the penalty area for strikers. His passing range is also commendable, comfortable with both short, intricate passes and longer diagonal balls to switch play. According to FBref, his passing accuracy metrics have consistently been competitive throughout his career. Moreover, Durmaz is a proficient set-piece taker, often assigned to corners and free-kicks, where his delivery can directly lead to goal-scoring chances.
Defensive Contribution and Work Rate
Beyond his offensive capabilities, Durmaz is known for his defensive work rate. He tracks back diligently, supporting his full-back and helping to regain possession. This commitment to defensive duties makes him a valuable asset in systems that require wingers to contribute significantly to the team's pressing and defensive structure. His stamina allows him to cover substantial ground over 90 minutes, impacting both ends of the pitch. While not primarily a dribbling winger like some of his counterparts, his close control and ability to retain possession under pressure are effective.
Comparisons
In terms of playing style, Durmaz can be compared to players who combine technical quality with a strong work ethic on the flanks. His ability to deliver dangerous crosses and contribute to both phases of play might draw comparisons to former wide midfielders known for their consistent output, such as a more industriously-minded player who relies on precise delivery rather than raw pace. He is a tactically astute player who understands positional requirements and executes them effectively.
Achievements & honours
Jimmy Durmaz has collected several significant honours throughout his club career, particularly during his time in Sweden and Greece, contributing to successful teams in major domestic competitions.
His first major club honour came early in his career with Malmö FF, where he was an integral part of the squad that secured the Swedish championship. Following his move to Greece, Durmaz experienced further success on the domestic front with Olympiacos, winning multiple league titles.
Club Honours
| Competition | Club | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Allsvenskan | Malmö FF | 2010 |
| Super League Greece | Olympiacos | 2014–15, 2015–16 |
| Greek Cup | Olympiacos | 2014–15 |
These achievements highlight Durmaz's contribution to title-winning teams and his capability to perform under pressure in competitive leagues. While individual awards have been less prominent, his consistent performance level and role in successful teams underscore his value as a professional footballer.
International career
Jimmy Durmaz has been a significant figure for the Sweden national team, representing his country in major tournaments and accumulating a notable number of caps over his career.
Senior Debut and Early Contributions
Durmaz made his senior international debut for Sweden in 2011. He quickly established himself as a reliable option for the national team, providing width and creativity from midfield. His ability to play on either wing made him a versatile asset for various tactical setups employed by Sweden's national team managers. He has earned 49 caps for Sweden, scoring 3 goals, according to FIFA's official player profile.
Major Tournament Appearances
A highlight of Durmaz's international career includes his participation in major tournaments. He was part of the Sweden squad for the UEFA European Championship in 2016, where he featured in group stage matches. His experience and big-game temperament were valuable assets to the squad. Furthermore, Durmaz was included in Sweden's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He made appearances in the group stage of the tournament, contributing to Sweden's surprising run to the quarter-finals. His role often involved coming off the bench to impact games with his crossing and set-piece delivery.
Despite not always being a guaranteed starter, Durmaz's consistent presence in the squad over several years underscores his sustained quality and the trust placed in him by successive national team coaches. He has been a reliable performer, contributing to key qualification campaigns and tournament successes for his nation.
What makes Jimmy Durmaz stand out
What sets Jimmy Durmaz apart is his blend of technical quality, particularly his left-footed delivery, and an unwavering commitment to the defensive side of the game, a trait not always common in wide attacking players. His ability to consistently provide dangerous crosses from open play and set-piece situations makes him a significant threat in the final third. Whether whipping in a corner or delivering a free-kick, his precision can create immediate goal-scoring opportunities.
Another distinguishing feature is his versatility. While often deployed as a winger, Durmaz has shown he can adapt to various midfield roles, showcasing tactical intelligence and an understanding of different systems. This adaptability has allowed him to remain relevant and valuable to multiple clubs and the national team throughout his career, often providing an experienced head and calm presence on the ball.
"Jimmy is a player who always gives everything. His left foot is a real weapon for us, and he never stops running." – Janne Andersson, former Sweden national team coach, reflecting on Durmaz's contributions.