So after a short vacation, we finally are providing you with detailed squad analysis of Athletic squad.
As I said before I firmly believe in my assistant Tony Coton so here is what he thinks of our squad.
I agree with him in most of his opinions about our players, and as I want to be tactical genius as Bielsa is I decided to play very attacking 3-4-3 tactics due to several reasons.
1. reason is I do not have such strong full backs/wing backs in Zubiaurre, Iraola, Castillo, Koikilli and all for of them are wanted by other clubs, so if I decide to cash in on them I could probably get around 10 mil Euros for them and that is pretty nice money in my opinion to invest in future transfers.
2. they all are above 28 except Castillo so they don't have a long term future here so it is now or never for selling them
3. I have no options in youth squad at all for subbing them, so I will stick to 3-4-3 formation with alternations from youth sections to above
Now Goalkeepers…
Hm… Gorka Iraizoz my first choice, decent grades, nothing spectacular, 30 years, probably good enough for 3 4 years, so I will have to rely on my youth system to regen me a good successor for him because Raul Fernandez (23) and Aitor Fernandez (20) are in my opinion not good enough if I plan to challenge strongest Spain teams…
Defenders will be solid part of my team if I manage to get them think as one, there are bunch of solid players, young players who have future ahead of them. My first choices are Fernando Amorebieta (26), Mikel San Jose (22), and Jon Aurtenetxe (19)
Not to mention that in this style of play with only 3 defenders in line they will probably have to be strongest part of my team.
Borja Ekiza Jonas Ramalho and Aitor Ocia together with potentials from youth system will be rock defense in next 10 years I hope.
I plan to play DLC Aurtenetxe as Ball playing defender, CD Amorebieta as central defender, and DRC Mikel San Jose as Central defender.
In midfield I have two central midfielder that have the potential to become star players in FM, of course they are Javi Martinez (22) and Ander Herrera (21) two of them will be irreplaceable in my team and I will focus my game directly on two of them. There is one maybe WONDERKID Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta who is similar to Ander Herrera so he will definitely with right training and tutoring quickly come to first team also. As subs for Martinez and Herrera I have Ander Iturraspe, Carlos Gurpegi who are mainly central midfielders but also polyvalent players such as Oscar De Marcos, David Lopez, Igor Martinez. There is good depth in central midfield positions, and it will provide good challenge to Martinez and Herrera who I hope will fulfil their expectations.
On right and left side of the midfield as wide midfielders I will try with Market Susaeta (23) and Igor Gabilondo (32) and see in next friendly fixtures are they good solutions, I have again De Marcos, Martinez David Lopez maybe even Ibai Gomez. but with grades they are all so similar so I will have to see performances in matches than I will for sure now is my selection good.
And now my favourite part attack, I am definitely looking forward to fulfil one of my personal goals, leading Llorente to top goalscorer in Primera. He will be central attacker Target Man, surrounded by Iker Muniain on the left and Gaizka Toquero on the right. On the bench I don’t have natural strikers, but as mentioned before many polyvalent players Martinez, Gomez can jump in if something bad happens.
So this is how my team looks like before my first friendly fixtures, on which you will be detailed informed in next couple of days.
So what do you think am I going to succeed, will Llorente at least be in top
three scorers in Spain?
About Author
 | Nemanja Spasenovski is a passionate FM player who enjoys writing articles about his careers. He is our Gold Star Contributor and co-author of FMBlog. Been playing CM/FM since 2000. Also a big supporter of Manchester United. be sure to follow his career Follow @Nesho_OS
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