With the appointment of Ryan Kendall as the new manager of the Dragões, excitement around the city of Porto is high. The new manager, chairman and directors have sat down and planned out a new vision for the club. Looking to shed the title of a selling club, Kendall will be looking to build a squad that can contend with the European giants for decades to come. Many great player's have played for the club in the previous decade, as well as in its history, only to be sold for large sums in the proceeding seasons. This is best represented by the European Champion side of Jose Mourinho, a golden era for the club between 2001-2004, which would lose many of its key players in the prime of their careers after winning the Champions League and the departure of the "Special One." Since then, the likes of Hulk, James Rodriguez, Jackson Martinez, Joao Moutinho and other great players leave the club to pursue silverware. Upon smartly investing in young talent in the first couple transfer windows, as well as utilizing the young players currently on the roster, it is the clubs hope that it will no longer have to sell its star players and future prospects, as FC Porto will be regarded in the same category as FC Bayern, Barcelona and Real Madrid, and will have the silverware to justify such high praise.
View attachment 961688
With the appointment of a new manager comes a new backroom staff, lets meet two of the most important members who will be aiding me on this journey:
View attachment 221145
View attachment 221144
My number 2. I was looking for an assistant that possessed good tactical knowledge, man management and that could also get a good feel for the squad (judging player ability & potential) and Riekerink fits the bill. It was also important that he had high attributes in 'Working with Youngsters,' a basis that all my staff would be (and will be) hired on. The only fault in him, is that his coaching attributes are very weak, but that was not a high priority, as Id be appointing a slew of new coaches to fill that role.
The second important member is the Head of Youth Development, a vital position for a club that is looking to re-build through its young players.
View attachment 221141
With a relatively new stadium (built in 2003), excellent facilities and one of the top youth recruitment systems and academy, I am afforded with the vital tools to succeed in mine, and the clubs goals.
View attachment 221140
Now lets take a look at the rest of the coaching staff and their roles:
View attachment 221139
Their is still room for improvement in certain facets of training, but a lot of these coaches are young and have room to improve. As the club become bigger and more prosperous, it is my hope that I will be able to bring in more (and larger profile) staff. Currently I am handcuffed with a maximum of 13 "Other FCP Staff," which accounts for physios and coaches.
Transfers
(up until the first match, 17 August 2014)
In:
[TABLE="width: 500, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Name[/TD]
[TD]Age[/TD]
[TD]Club (From)[/TD]
[TD]Fee[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Eder Alvarez Balanta[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]River Plate[/TD]
[TD]€7.5M + 20% of Next Sale[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Pione Sisto[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]FC Midtjylland[/TD]
[TD]€6.5M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Emanuel Mammana[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]River Plate[/TD]
[TD]€2.9M + €3.8 over 48 months[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lucas Romero[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]Velez[/TD]
[TD]€8.5M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Raphael Guerreiro[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]FC Lorient[/TD]
[TD]€6.5M + 35% of Next Sale[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Carlos[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]Atletico Mineiro[/TD]
[TD]€8M + €10M over 48 months + 15% of Next Sale[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Out:
[TABLE="width: 500, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Name[/TD]
[TD]Age[/TD]
[TD]Club (To) [/TD]
[TD]Fee[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Nabil Ghilas[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]PSV[/TD]
[TD]€3.6M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Giannelli Imbula[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]Paris Saint-Germain[/TD]
[TD]€32.5M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Yacine Brahimi[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]AS Monaco[/TD]
[TD]€19.75M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Hector Herrera[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]Juventus[/TD]
[TD]€10M + 20% of Next Sale[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
First I will comment on the players leaving the club before introducing you to the newest members of the squad. I found it difficult to sell the list of players I had deemed as not needed. The likes of Maxi Pereira and Jose Angel garnered little interest and are now on the B squad. I was however, surprised to receive such a big fee for Imbula. He was a player I considered to be a future piece in the side, and when I saw that PSG was interested, I offered Imbula for €40M expecting them to turn it down and look elsewhere, but instead they came back with another offer and we ended up negotiating for the €32.5 fee. Brahimi was another big transfer in more ways than one. Firstly, the €19.75M was very welcome, allowing me obtain a couple other players that I could not afford and was looking to get next summer. Secondly, him going to Monaco made it so both player's I was pursuing for loan deals were made available (more on that in the next post).
Meet the lads!
View attachment 221131
At only 21, Balanta looks a top central defender. I was able to get him for a steal and have a player who should prove to be the backbone of the defense for the next decade.
View attachment 221130
When I saw that Sisto had a release clause of €6.5M in his contract, I took advantage and moved swiftly to secure his signature. At only 19, and with lots of room to improve, Sisto posses great physical and technical abilities. As he improves, he should surely terrorize opponents on the wing.
View attachment 221129
18 year old Mammana is a player for the future. Even though he will not be an immediate starter for the club, he will feature in cup matches and off the bench. For someone so young, Mammana has very solid attributes in all three facets (technical, mental & physical) and should feature beside Balanta as the starting CB duo in two to three years.
View attachment 221128
Another player I was able to obtain for what I consider a low fee, especially considering he already looks a top player. Lucas Romero could perhaps be my top transfer. I rate him as my best midfielder (at only 20) and like Balanta for my defense, he will be the backbone of my midfield for the next decade. Romero will be tasked with the less glamouress aspects of the game; marking opposing sides best midfielders, covering lots of distance on the pitch to retain possession and place timely tackles. He also show great promise in the playmaking department and will play a role similar to that of Arutro Vidal with Juventus and now Bayern Munich.
View attachment 221127
I was unfamiliar with Raphael Guerreiro until a couple of my scouts I hired brought him to my attention. He was one of my loan targets right away, but FC Lorient wasn't willing to negotiate a loan deal with us. A few days later he became unsettled and demanded a transfer, which was a blessing for us, as we did not need to use up a loan spot and were also able to get him for a bargain. Guerreiro has a tough task ahead of himself, as he is behind Alex Sandro; a player I regard as one of the best LB's in the world, in the depth chart. Even so, Guerreiro has massive potential and it is very possible that he will be the clubs starting LB in 2-3 years.
View attachment 221126
Finally we have Carlos, one of the most exciting attacking prospects in the world. He already possess the attributes to be a threat as both a striker and on the wings. Another player with a massive upside, Carlos will only improve and is seen as being able to compete and eventually succeed Vincent Aboubakar as the clubs main striker.
Future Transfers:
(player's coming in after 17 August, 2014)
Gabriel Barbosa (ST/AMC) - An initial fee of €7.5M, with another €4.2M over 48 months, Barbosa will be joining us on the 30th of August, after he's celebrated his 18th birthday.
Malcom (ST/AMR/AML) - An initial fee of €7M, with another €12.5M over 48 months and 10% of his next sale, Malcom will join the club on 1 July, 2015. Though he turns 18 in January and would thus be able to join us in the Winter window, I felt it was better to let him develop for a season with his current club Corinthians, where he is already pushing for a spot in their starting lineup.
(Next Post: Meet the three young Portuguese players I brought in on loan, a look at the squad depth and the key players, a quick look at the youth squad and also the formations I will be using)
With the appointment of a new manager comes a new backroom staff, lets meet two of the most important members who will be aiding me on this journey:
View attachment 221145
View attachment 221144
My number 2. I was looking for an assistant that possessed good tactical knowledge, man management and that could also get a good feel for the squad (judging player ability & potential) and Riekerink fits the bill. It was also important that he had high attributes in 'Working with Youngsters,' a basis that all my staff would be (and will be) hired on. The only fault in him, is that his coaching attributes are very weak, but that was not a high priority, as Id be appointing a slew of new coaches to fill that role.
The second important member is the Head of Youth Development, a vital position for a club that is looking to re-build through its young players.
View attachment 221141
With a relatively new stadium (built in 2003), excellent facilities and one of the top youth recruitment systems and academy, I am afforded with the vital tools to succeed in mine, and the clubs goals.
View attachment 221140
Now lets take a look at the rest of the coaching staff and their roles:
View attachment 221139
Their is still room for improvement in certain facets of training, but a lot of these coaches are young and have room to improve. As the club become bigger and more prosperous, it is my hope that I will be able to bring in more (and larger profile) staff. Currently I am handcuffed with a maximum of 13 "Other FCP Staff," which accounts for physios and coaches.
Transfers
(up until the first match, 17 August 2014)
In:
[TABLE="width: 500, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Name[/TD]
[TD]Age[/TD]
[TD]Club (From)[/TD]
[TD]Fee[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Eder Alvarez Balanta[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]River Plate[/TD]
[TD]€7.5M + 20% of Next Sale[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Pione Sisto[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]FC Midtjylland[/TD]
[TD]€6.5M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Emanuel Mammana[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]River Plate[/TD]
[TD]€2.9M + €3.8 over 48 months[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lucas Romero[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]Velez[/TD]
[TD]€8.5M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Raphael Guerreiro[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]FC Lorient[/TD]
[TD]€6.5M + 35% of Next Sale[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Carlos[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]Atletico Mineiro[/TD]
[TD]€8M + €10M over 48 months + 15% of Next Sale[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Out:
[TABLE="width: 500, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Name[/TD]
[TD]Age[/TD]
[TD]Club (To) [/TD]
[TD]Fee[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Nabil Ghilas[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]PSV[/TD]
[TD]€3.6M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Giannelli Imbula[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]Paris Saint-Germain[/TD]
[TD]€32.5M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Yacine Brahimi[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]AS Monaco[/TD]
[TD]€19.75M[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Hector Herrera[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]Juventus[/TD]
[TD]€10M + 20% of Next Sale[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
First I will comment on the players leaving the club before introducing you to the newest members of the squad. I found it difficult to sell the list of players I had deemed as not needed. The likes of Maxi Pereira and Jose Angel garnered little interest and are now on the B squad. I was however, surprised to receive such a big fee for Imbula. He was a player I considered to be a future piece in the side, and when I saw that PSG was interested, I offered Imbula for €40M expecting them to turn it down and look elsewhere, but instead they came back with another offer and we ended up negotiating for the €32.5 fee. Brahimi was another big transfer in more ways than one. Firstly, the €19.75M was very welcome, allowing me obtain a couple other players that I could not afford and was looking to get next summer. Secondly, him going to Monaco made it so both player's I was pursuing for loan deals were made available (more on that in the next post).
Meet the lads!
View attachment 221131
At only 21, Balanta looks a top central defender. I was able to get him for a steal and have a player who should prove to be the backbone of the defense for the next decade.
View attachment 221130
When I saw that Sisto had a release clause of €6.5M in his contract, I took advantage and moved swiftly to secure his signature. At only 19, and with lots of room to improve, Sisto posses great physical and technical abilities. As he improves, he should surely terrorize opponents on the wing.
View attachment 221129
18 year old Mammana is a player for the future. Even though he will not be an immediate starter for the club, he will feature in cup matches and off the bench. For someone so young, Mammana has very solid attributes in all three facets (technical, mental & physical) and should feature beside Balanta as the starting CB duo in two to three years.
View attachment 221128
Another player I was able to obtain for what I consider a low fee, especially considering he already looks a top player. Lucas Romero could perhaps be my top transfer. I rate him as my best midfielder (at only 20) and like Balanta for my defense, he will be the backbone of my midfield for the next decade. Romero will be tasked with the less glamouress aspects of the game; marking opposing sides best midfielders, covering lots of distance on the pitch to retain possession and place timely tackles. He also show great promise in the playmaking department and will play a role similar to that of Arutro Vidal with Juventus and now Bayern Munich.
View attachment 221127
I was unfamiliar with Raphael Guerreiro until a couple of my scouts I hired brought him to my attention. He was one of my loan targets right away, but FC Lorient wasn't willing to negotiate a loan deal with us. A few days later he became unsettled and demanded a transfer, which was a blessing for us, as we did not need to use up a loan spot and were also able to get him for a bargain. Guerreiro has a tough task ahead of himself, as he is behind Alex Sandro; a player I regard as one of the best LB's in the world, in the depth chart. Even so, Guerreiro has massive potential and it is very possible that he will be the clubs starting LB in 2-3 years.
View attachment 221126
Finally we have Carlos, one of the most exciting attacking prospects in the world. He already possess the attributes to be a threat as both a striker and on the wings. Another player with a massive upside, Carlos will only improve and is seen as being able to compete and eventually succeed Vincent Aboubakar as the clubs main striker.
Future Transfers:
(player's coming in after 17 August, 2014)
Gabriel Barbosa (ST/AMC) - An initial fee of €7.5M, with another €4.2M over 48 months, Barbosa will be joining us on the 30th of August, after he's celebrated his 18th birthday.
Malcom (ST/AMR/AML) - An initial fee of €7M, with another €12.5M over 48 months and 10% of his next sale, Malcom will join the club on 1 July, 2015. Though he turns 18 in January and would thus be able to join us in the Winter window, I felt it was better to let him develop for a season with his current club Corinthians, where he is already pushing for a spot in their starting lineup.
(Next Post: Meet the three young Portuguese players I brought in on loan, a look at the squad depth and the key players, a quick look at the youth squad and also the formations I will be using)
Last edited: