Dear, Dean Austin...A left back
Little Jay is going to need some help....
Dear Mr Austin,
This is priority number two. Jay Dasilva had the best season of his career, amassing 41 starts, his immaculate technical ability will ensure a smooth transition to the Premier League, but a lack of pace and height will have to be managed carefully. He’s going to need some help. Jake Bidwell, a loyal servant, was trusted with less than 500 minutes and is approaching the back end of his career. Miguel Brau is unexposed at Championship level, let-alone PL level. Competition for the diminutive Welshman is required.
I can fully understand why you are looking a Dimitrios Giannoulis. Whilst at 30, he’s not a financial investment for the future, he brings Premier League experience (and did relatively well in a poor Canaries side), and was one of the better performing left-backs in the Bundesliga last season. There are relatively few left-backs out there available to us for sensible money who are likely to be able to come in play well at this level from the get-go.
Giannoulis’ Greek compatriot Vasilios Zagaritis is worth a look too. A move to Parma from Panathinaikos at a young age didn’t really work out. Two excellent campaigns in Eredivisie, most recently at MVE’s former club Heerenveen, has put his career back on an upwards trajectory. Giannoulis is at his best going forwards, whereas Zagaritis is a real all-rounder. Neither would break the bank.
Archie Brown or Jordan Bos would be your dream moves, but there are bigger fish and injuries at play with these.
Moussa Ndiaye has just completed the second half of the season on loan at Schalke. He’s currently back at Anderlecht. A ball carrier and duel monster, end product will be considered his weakness. The Germans feel they are being priced out of a move. Something approaching £5 million would likely get it done.
Also playing in the Jupiler League is Ecuadorian 21 year-old Yaimar Medina. Signed from his native country in Jan 2025 for approx €4million, he played 45 minutes at the recent World Cup and has racked up over 40 appearances for Genk, who are not in Europe the season. Explosive pace and high work-rate are key traits, needs to reign in a panache for shooting from long distance. Big upsides with this one, but he’d need some time.
Dean, I know I’ve banged this drum before, and they say you should never go back, but there are plenty of upsides in looking at Callum Doyle. Opens up back three options, high technical ability, young, English, but would be expensive. If playing at LB, he’s not your marauding wing-back type, but seven assists for Norwich when often operating in that position showed an eye for a delivery if you can get him into the right positions.
No straight forward this one, a loan to buy move for Moller-Wolfe wouldn’t be the worst move.
PS, I cant wait to see Saka in Jay’s pocket.
Kind regards,
CCFC Analysis