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Stockport County’s Mid season player review.
Here will be a mid season review of the stand out players for good and bad reasons. Within the review I’ll likely add whether the player is likely to stay come the end of the season.
M_Amelia
Academy graduate at the start of the season, quickly found himself the chance to become County’s number one. With Sam Johnstone seemingly wanting an early retirement, meant that Amelia had to step up and that he did. He’s accumulated 1.2k ability points since game week 4 I believe and no doubt he will be captain next season, which will mean he will start as 24 rated. I couldn’t have asked more from this lad, he’s been exemplary and will push Isaksson when he is eventually promoted.
Decision - keep
J_Capdevila
The on loan defender from Bayern has quickly shown his quality and justified the reason why we brought him in. Contributing to tackles and goals means that we’ve attempted to and successfully negotiated his full transfer from Bayern to Edgeley Park. He will start next season as 19 17 rated and is certainly the kind of player that will be the future of the club. He hasn’t come cheap, but I believe he’s worth every penny.
Decision - loan return, then buy
M_Materazzi
Another Stockport graduate, whose development stuttered after being promoted. Having benefited from the free abs given out by the FFO development scheme at the start of the season, he still hasn’t met his full potential, despite being given ample playing time. Negotiations between a few clubs for his transfer started and Lazio have agreed to take him on to develop him in his native Italy. Here’s hoping he does hit the heights we were hoping for him at County!
Decision - sell
P_Max
Brought in at the start of the season from Wolfsburg. He quickly became the leader in a very youthful team. Becoming statistically the best player in defence. Max was brought in as a stop gap due to his age and he was never likely to last more than 1 or 2 seasons. I’ll confirm now that Max will leave at the end of the season as further moves in the transfer market means that he will be moved on to make space. With no new club interested currently the SHN option seems the most likely. Although, he will be re listed after the last game of this season to give him another opportunity at playing further in FFO.
Decision - release
A_Bell
Another acquisition at the start of the season from Shaktar. He’s quickly settled and fit in really well. Unfortunately, like Max, a stop gap and the same fate will happen for Bell at the end of the season. We’ve managed to replace him also.
Decision - release
M_Sykes
Sykes hasn’t played that many game for us, only having signed part easy through this season. But his performances have been no better than average. Despite his age of 27 he will be moved on too. We can’t carry any players and he’s definitely not playing well enough to warrant extending his current deal past the summer. Like Max and Bell, he’ll more than likely hit the SHN option.
Decision - release
A_Guler
Brought in from Marseille in a 2 for 1, Guler wasn’t cheap. Muted as the future of the club at one point. But in some games he’s been amazing and in others he’s gone missing. We wanted him and that’s why we paid a princely sum. But we were contacted by a club expressing their interest in him. The discussions moved quickly and the sum of 80m plus a squad player was enough for us to let Guler leave EOS. The cash from this will help the replenishment of the whole squad going forward so was an easy choice in the end.
Decision - sell
P_Canales
Stockport’s free youth player from a few seasons ago. Stats wise, he’s the kind of player we should be chasing. Performance wise he’s been pretty anonymous, despite being given plenty of first team minutes. He’s been offered out to a few clubs in a swap deal for a defender. Union Berlin have offered the best deal with L King and cash coming County’s way. Another player hoping to hit is potential abroad.
Decision - sell
M_Blasi
After being promoted from our youth setup, Blasi has been outstanding. A true all rounder, he’s hit the ground running. Racking up the man of the match awards and also some crucial goals in our cup runs. Despite me wanting to keep him, he’s reported to the club how home sick he is and while discussing a deal for Materazzi, we discussed with Lazio in terms of taking Blasi too, which they have done in a 30 million pound deal. I feel sad about this lad leaving, but we can’t keep players who don’t want to stay.
Decision - sell
J_Gonzaga
A player we raided the youth auction for. He was the best player on that list and has somewhat kept on his development track. Stifled by the fact he couldn’t choose his best position, whether AM or FW. He’s since become the clubs top scorer. He will be staying at County for many seasons to come and will drop into the AM position after this season finishes. This is due to a few promotions from the youth team. If this doesn’t work though we do have options with moving him back up top a possibility.
Decision - keep
G_Pazzini
On loan from Manchester United, this lad I really expected more from. Due to him not hitting my expectations, we never really felt compelled to meet United at the negotiating table for his permanent transfer. With his stats, he definitely can make it in FFO. Unfortunately, it seems like County wasn’t the place or team for him to flourish.
Decision - loan return, no permanent transfer
Youth team updates
A_Hinkel
This lad has been doing amazingly well in the youth setup and will get his chance in the first team. He will be replacing A Bell at EOS and I’m really looking forward to seeing him develop. I just think his seconds are lagging but they should catch up to where we need them to be.
M_Arteta
This lad has been 7/10, steady but nothing special in youth games. He will be promoted, but will be more a squad player. Filling in for injuries and suspensions. More than likely will be moved on next EOS to help reduce wages and generate some funds for a new youth trainer.
C_Tevez
This lad is the reason we didn’t push for Pazzini. Tevez has the ability to be a top class striker. He will be promoted and will be given the number 9 shirt and will be given every opportunity to show us and the league how good he is.
M_Zalayeta
Tevez’s current strike partner will be promoted with him as his striker partner and number 10. Due to these promotions, that is why Gonzaga will drop back to AM. Depending on how each of the 3 do though this can and will be interchangeable.
After promoting the above we will need to scout more players to comply with the FFO rulings. So, we will scout for a new AM and Striker
Transfers coming in
So, in defence, we’re adding A Cole from Aston Villa after agreeing a fee for him with the new Villa manager. J Capdevila coming in from Bayern and then L King heading from Berlin in a swap. Added to these we will be loaning R Albiol from Leeds, added with him the much needed 5M loan fee.
The midfield will consist of I_Halifa from Liverpool after winning a public auction for his services. Gonzaga will fill in at AM and we will loan J Slory from Manchester United.
Upfront as stated before the youth pairing of Tevez and Zalayeta will get the nod.
So, the team next season on paper will be (As long as nothing falls through) and before re rates:
M_Amelia. 20 ita 23 1 1 1
J_Capdevila 20 esp 1 18 16 9
R_Albiol 19 esp 1 18 16 9
L_King 20 eng 1 18 15 8
A_Hinkel 19 ger 1 18 14 7
M_Arteta 19 esp 1 7 19 13
I_Halifa 20 fra 1 17 18 14
J_Slory 20 ned 1 6 18 17
C_Ndour 20 Ita 1 12 18 16
J_Gonzaga 20 ned 1 4 17 18
C_Tevez 19 arg 1 8 14 18
M_Zalayeta 19 uru 1 4 15 18
So, potential first 11 will be 21 and under, they should also be all 19 rated too. On another note I’m keen for Hinkel and Tevez to both rate up their seconds during their 10 weeks of extra training too. That will put us in a strong position of not needing to buy or replace any of our first 11 until our youth team generates more gems. Well only loans each year but we’ve been applying early for these and I don’t see an issue going forward.
If the above all comes true, I know there is a long time for things to change from now until EOS, but if it does happen, I’ll be extremely happy. We should have enough spends left over to add 10 thousand more seats to Edgeley Park. We’ve worked out we will need 19 million to process this change.
With all the work done into the above, Monaco have been put on the back burner. Especially not knowing if they will be in EFL1 next season. They are 9 points above Rangers with a possible 33 to play for. The head to head between the two teams is next week too, so there is a lot riding on the game to determine who will get the chop down to EFL2. Some people will argue the best thing for them is to get relegated, purge and start again. The fighter in me thinks they can do this by winning and staying up. Bridging the gap to the big boys in this scenario will be extremely difficult though.
In preparation for EOS with Monaco, we’ve replaced some of the older players already and brought some much needed cash in. They will also look to promote the following players from their youth setup:
C_Davies 19 eng 1 18 15 12
L_Guily 20 fra 1 4 15 18
Depending on what league we’re in will determine, whether they stay and play or get loaned out and we pay. This limbo is why there isn’t much point in planning too much.
The only other transfers to generate cash for when there is a plan are. De La Pena to Dortmund for 40 million, Pisano to Shaktar for 35.5 million and a swap of A Doci for D McNamara from Lisbon. De La Pena and Pisano have been bought by the teams that had them on loan for development. McNamara was actually on loan to us from Lisbon. I feel it’s a good swap for Doci as we shore up our defence.
The only things that come to mind that would be certain is that Monaco will only invest fully in scouts and trainers if they got relegated. If they stay up they will only scout individual players to fill the youth system up. Personally if they stay up it’s not a great bang for your buck.
So, Monaco will be in limbo until they know their fate. But I’ll be in a position to make those plans / decisions quickly when needed. County on the other hand will just keep operating at a profit, loaning in for fees. Top up the scouts and training when needed and wait for those you players to be ready. At that point we will know if the youth route was indeed the way to go. I really hope this way is successful, as it’s been really enjoyable moulding a team built on youth. A few other teams have gone down the same route and hopefully it will bear fruit for those sides too.
So, not your usual performance review. More of this is our situation and where we want to be.
2033 words
Here will be a mid season review of the stand out players for good and bad reasons. Within the review I’ll likely add whether the player is likely to stay come the end of the season.
M_Amelia
Academy graduate at the start of the season, quickly found himself the chance to become County’s number one. With Sam Johnstone seemingly wanting an early retirement, meant that Amelia had to step up and that he did. He’s accumulated 1.2k ability points since game week 4 I believe and no doubt he will be captain next season, which will mean he will start as 24 rated. I couldn’t have asked more from this lad, he’s been exemplary and will push Isaksson when he is eventually promoted.
Decision - keep
J_Capdevila
The on loan defender from Bayern has quickly shown his quality and justified the reason why we brought him in. Contributing to tackles and goals means that we’ve attempted to and successfully negotiated his full transfer from Bayern to Edgeley Park. He will start next season as 19 17 rated and is certainly the kind of player that will be the future of the club. He hasn’t come cheap, but I believe he’s worth every penny.
Decision - loan return, then buy
M_Materazzi
Another Stockport graduate, whose development stuttered after being promoted. Having benefited from the free abs given out by the FFO development scheme at the start of the season, he still hasn’t met his full potential, despite being given ample playing time. Negotiations between a few clubs for his transfer started and Lazio have agreed to take him on to develop him in his native Italy. Here’s hoping he does hit the heights we were hoping for him at County!
Decision - sell
P_Max
Brought in at the start of the season from Wolfsburg. He quickly became the leader in a very youthful team. Becoming statistically the best player in defence. Max was brought in as a stop gap due to his age and he was never likely to last more than 1 or 2 seasons. I’ll confirm now that Max will leave at the end of the season as further moves in the transfer market means that he will be moved on to make space. With no new club interested currently the SHN option seems the most likely. Although, he will be re listed after the last game of this season to give him another opportunity at playing further in FFO.
Decision - release
A_Bell
Another acquisition at the start of the season from Shaktar. He’s quickly settled and fit in really well. Unfortunately, like Max, a stop gap and the same fate will happen for Bell at the end of the season. We’ve managed to replace him also.
Decision - release
M_Sykes
Sykes hasn’t played that many game for us, only having signed part easy through this season. But his performances have been no better than average. Despite his age of 27 he will be moved on too. We can’t carry any players and he’s definitely not playing well enough to warrant extending his current deal past the summer. Like Max and Bell, he’ll more than likely hit the SHN option.
Decision - release
A_Guler
Brought in from Marseille in a 2 for 1, Guler wasn’t cheap. Muted as the future of the club at one point. But in some games he’s been amazing and in others he’s gone missing. We wanted him and that’s why we paid a princely sum. But we were contacted by a club expressing their interest in him. The discussions moved quickly and the sum of 80m plus a squad player was enough for us to let Guler leave EOS. The cash from this will help the replenishment of the whole squad going forward so was an easy choice in the end.
Decision - sell
P_Canales
Stockport’s free youth player from a few seasons ago. Stats wise, he’s the kind of player we should be chasing. Performance wise he’s been pretty anonymous, despite being given plenty of first team minutes. He’s been offered out to a few clubs in a swap deal for a defender. Union Berlin have offered the best deal with L King and cash coming County’s way. Another player hoping to hit is potential abroad.
Decision - sell
M_Blasi
After being promoted from our youth setup, Blasi has been outstanding. A true all rounder, he’s hit the ground running. Racking up the man of the match awards and also some crucial goals in our cup runs. Despite me wanting to keep him, he’s reported to the club how home sick he is and while discussing a deal for Materazzi, we discussed with Lazio in terms of taking Blasi too, which they have done in a 30 million pound deal. I feel sad about this lad leaving, but we can’t keep players who don’t want to stay.
Decision - sell
J_Gonzaga
A player we raided the youth auction for. He was the best player on that list and has somewhat kept on his development track. Stifled by the fact he couldn’t choose his best position, whether AM or FW. He’s since become the clubs top scorer. He will be staying at County for many seasons to come and will drop into the AM position after this season finishes. This is due to a few promotions from the youth team. If this doesn’t work though we do have options with moving him back up top a possibility.
Decision - keep
G_Pazzini
On loan from Manchester United, this lad I really expected more from. Due to him not hitting my expectations, we never really felt compelled to meet United at the negotiating table for his permanent transfer. With his stats, he definitely can make it in FFO. Unfortunately, it seems like County wasn’t the place or team for him to flourish.
Decision - loan return, no permanent transfer
Youth team updates
A_Hinkel
This lad has been doing amazingly well in the youth setup and will get his chance in the first team. He will be replacing A Bell at EOS and I’m really looking forward to seeing him develop. I just think his seconds are lagging but they should catch up to where we need them to be.
M_Arteta
This lad has been 7/10, steady but nothing special in youth games. He will be promoted, but will be more a squad player. Filling in for injuries and suspensions. More than likely will be moved on next EOS to help reduce wages and generate some funds for a new youth trainer.
C_Tevez
This lad is the reason we didn’t push for Pazzini. Tevez has the ability to be a top class striker. He will be promoted and will be given the number 9 shirt and will be given every opportunity to show us and the league how good he is.
M_Zalayeta
Tevez’s current strike partner will be promoted with him as his striker partner and number 10. Due to these promotions, that is why Gonzaga will drop back to AM. Depending on how each of the 3 do though this can and will be interchangeable.
After promoting the above we will need to scout more players to comply with the FFO rulings. So, we will scout for a new AM and Striker
Transfers coming in
So, in defence, we’re adding A Cole from Aston Villa after agreeing a fee for him with the new Villa manager. J Capdevila coming in from Bayern and then L King heading from Berlin in a swap. Added to these we will be loaning R Albiol from Leeds, added with him the much needed 5M loan fee.
The midfield will consist of I_Halifa from Liverpool after winning a public auction for his services. Gonzaga will fill in at AM and we will loan J Slory from Manchester United.
Upfront as stated before the youth pairing of Tevez and Zalayeta will get the nod.
So, the team next season on paper will be (As long as nothing falls through) and before re rates:
M_Amelia. 20 ita 23 1 1 1
J_Capdevila 20 esp 1 18 16 9
R_Albiol 19 esp 1 18 16 9
L_King 20 eng 1 18 15 8
A_Hinkel 19 ger 1 18 14 7
M_Arteta 19 esp 1 7 19 13
I_Halifa 20 fra 1 17 18 14
J_Slory 20 ned 1 6 18 17
C_Ndour 20 Ita 1 12 18 16
J_Gonzaga 20 ned 1 4 17 18
C_Tevez 19 arg 1 8 14 18
M_Zalayeta 19 uru 1 4 15 18
So, potential first 11 will be 21 and under, they should also be all 19 rated too. On another note I’m keen for Hinkel and Tevez to both rate up their seconds during their 10 weeks of extra training too. That will put us in a strong position of not needing to buy or replace any of our first 11 until our youth team generates more gems. Well only loans each year but we’ve been applying early for these and I don’t see an issue going forward.
If the above all comes true, I know there is a long time for things to change from now until EOS, but if it does happen, I’ll be extremely happy. We should have enough spends left over to add 10 thousand more seats to Edgeley Park. We’ve worked out we will need 19 million to process this change.
With all the work done into the above, Monaco have been put on the back burner. Especially not knowing if they will be in EFL1 next season. They are 9 points above Rangers with a possible 33 to play for. The head to head between the two teams is next week too, so there is a lot riding on the game to determine who will get the chop down to EFL2. Some people will argue the best thing for them is to get relegated, purge and start again. The fighter in me thinks they can do this by winning and staying up. Bridging the gap to the big boys in this scenario will be extremely difficult though.
In preparation for EOS with Monaco, we’ve replaced some of the older players already and brought some much needed cash in. They will also look to promote the following players from their youth setup:
C_Davies 19 eng 1 18 15 12
L_Guily 20 fra 1 4 15 18
Depending on what league we’re in will determine, whether they stay and play or get loaned out and we pay. This limbo is why there isn’t much point in planning too much.
The only other transfers to generate cash for when there is a plan are. De La Pena to Dortmund for 40 million, Pisano to Shaktar for 35.5 million and a swap of A Doci for D McNamara from Lisbon. De La Pena and Pisano have been bought by the teams that had them on loan for development. McNamara was actually on loan to us from Lisbon. I feel it’s a good swap for Doci as we shore up our defence.
The only things that come to mind that would be certain is that Monaco will only invest fully in scouts and trainers if they got relegated. If they stay up they will only scout individual players to fill the youth system up. Personally if they stay up it’s not a great bang for your buck.
So, Monaco will be in limbo until they know their fate. But I’ll be in a position to make those plans / decisions quickly when needed. County on the other hand will just keep operating at a profit, loaning in for fees. Top up the scouts and training when needed and wait for those you players to be ready. At that point we will know if the youth route was indeed the way to go. I really hope this way is successful, as it’s been really enjoyable moulding a team built on youth. A few other teams have gone down the same route and hopefully it will bear fruit for those sides too.
So, not your usual performance review. More of this is our situation and where we want to be.
2033 words