A Look Ahead At The Olympiacos 2018 Roster
With the January transfer window nearly upon us, Greek clubs are looking to sell or loan off players that have disappointed or are in need of matches. They are also seeking reinforcements to their squads for the second half of the season.
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Defending champions Olympiacos began the season struggling in the league, but recovered with a superb run heading into the midseason break to eventually get back to the top of the standings.
That said, the Erythrolefki are set to be one of Greece’s biggest movers and shakers during the winter transfer window with several players set to be released and the Piraeus club in need of new signings as they aim to win the league yet again.
AGONAsport takes a look at the breakdown of the Olympiacos roster and what we can expect from the club as they attempt to shape the squad heading into 2018.
GOALKEEPERS
Staying: Silvio Proto, Lefteris Houtesiotis, Dimitris Skafidas
Leaving: Stefanos Kapino
Rumored Signings: Andreas Gianniotis, Devis Epassy, Matic Kotnik
Breakdown: Proto is certainly the established number one for the rest of the season barring injury or massive loss of form. Stefanos Kapino is set for a January exit with Belgium looking a likely destination at this point. Andreas Gianniotis is set for a return to the club with Olympiacos realizing how big a mistake it was allowing him to move to Atromitos, where he has impressed this season. Gianniotis however probably won’t move until summer should Olympiacos manage to re-sign the player. Epassy and Kotnik are on the radar, but at this point no move is likely for either keeper.
DEFENDERS
Staying: Alberto Botia, Pape Abou Cisse, Bjorn Engels, Dimitris Nikolaou, Leonardo Koutris, Diogo Figueiras, Omar Elabdellaoui
Leaving: Hrvoje Milic, Jagos Vukovic
Rumored Signings: Ehsan Hajsafi, Milton Casco
Breakdown: In January, one of Olympiacos’ main orders of business is to find a left-back. Koutris is the only recognized one in the squad and despite his fine season thus far he certainly will need cover. Hajsafi looks the likeliest target though Casco from River Plate continues to stay in the headlines. Vukovic will leave in January, at least on loan, but no other moves are expected unless Figueiras, the subject of some rumors, is targeted by another club.
MIDFIELDERS
Staying: Alaixys Romao, Panagiotis Tachtsidis, Guillaume Gillet, Thanasis Androutsos, Andre Martins, Kostas Fortounis
Leaving: Sasa Zdjelar
Rumored Departure: Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe
Breakdown: The big question heading into January concerns Odidja-Ofoe. The Belgian impressed in his first six months at the club, however after his house was burglarized he has appeared to want a move away from Greece. With Portuguese interest from Sporting Lisbon and Porto already present, it does appear that Odjidja-Ofoe’s future lies away from Piraeus. There does appear to be enough in the squad to weather his departure and that of Zdjelar. With Olympiacos focused on other areas for squad reinforcement it is likely the midfield will stay as is until the summer.
ATTACKERS
Staying: Marko Marin, Felipe Pardo, Uros Djurdjevic, Karim Ansarifard
Leaving: Jose Carcela, Emmanuel Emenike, Ben Nabouhane
Rumored Departures: Seba
Rumored Signings: Kevin Mirallas
Breakdown: Olympiacos will undoubtedly make moves in January in the attacking positions concerning the departures of Carcela, Emenike, Ben, and potentially Seba. The signings of at least one winger or wide attacker is a definite, potentially two and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if a striker was sought as well. Mirallas is the big wish. The rumors continue to sway back and forth and it’s likely only by February 1st will we know what the outcome will be. Certainly this is an area where the squad is lighter than other parts of the pitch and thus besides a left-back, center stage for Olympiacos’ transfer activity in January will be occupied for attacking players.
