AEK blessed with several talented prospects
AGONAsport takes a closer look at four young, talented AEK players who are knocking on the door of the first team after displaying their talents.
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AEK, boasting an academy which has produced several players of real quality over the years, certainly have a talented batch of youngsters on their hands at the moment. Towards the end of the 2019/2020 Super League regular season, AEK boss, Massimo Carrera, gradually began using more of the youth, with Efthymis Christopoulos, Theodosis Machairas, Ziga Laci and Giannis-Fivos Botos all earning a chance to play at the highest level. The Enosi were in third place ahead of the playoffs while also competing in the semi-finals of the Greek Cup.
Let’s take a closer look at the four prospects in question:
Efthymis Christopoulos
Christopoulos, 19, is an exciting prospect for AEK supporters. According to statistics from Transfermarkt, the striker has scored a grand total of 24 goals in 68 Super League U19 matches, including 11 in 16 games during the current season. Boasting a killer instinct, Christopoulos is ruthless in front of goal, and his impressive performances have caught the eye of Carrera.
While he didn’t compete in any Super League games, Christopoulos played in two matches in the Greek Cup, used as a substitute in the battles against Panetolikos and Aris. He can play either as the main forward or the second striker.
Born in Patras, Christopoulos moved to AEK from Achaikos in 2015, subsequently penning his maiden professional contract with the Kitrinomavri four years later.
Theodosis Machairas
The manner of Machairas’ play in the last game of the regular season against Panionios has given AEK fans plenty of hope. With 77 minutes on the clock, Carrera decided to give Machairas an opportunity to showcase his talent on the left flank, and the 19-year-old stood out with a calm, assured showing, even popping up with the assist for Viktor Klonaridis’ equalising goal. The way in which Machairas calmly went about his business, while showing neat skills in the process, bodes well for the future.
Machairas, a left winger by trade, was snapped up by AEK from Panionios in the summer of 2018. We can expect to see Machairas used a lot more often by Carrera in the near future if he continues competing with such confidence.
Ziga Laci
Initially, 17-year-old Laci was signed from Mura with a sole view to the future in February, but he received a surprise chance with the first team against Panionios in Nea Smyrni. Although he displayed a considerable amount of nerves during the 90 minutes, Laci was solid at the back for AEK, playing in a reliable fashion next to Stratos Svarnas in the centre of the defence and showing good technical ability.
AEK secured a three-year deal with the tall, commanding defender. Laci has competed in four matches with the under 18 Slovenian national side.
Giannis-Fivos Botos
The attacking midfielder scored his first goal for AEK in the 2018/2019 Greek Cup as the team thrashed Apollon Larissa 4-0 on the road. Standing 172 centimeters tall, Botos is a diminutive figure on the field for AEK, especially given that he has somewhat of a stocky frame. Nevertheless, the 19-year-old has competent technical ability, capable of beating opponents for pure skill and dishing out cutting passes.
However, while Botos does have unquestionable potential, he didn’t make any kind of impression when appearing as a substitute in 2019/2020 Super League games against AE Larissa and Volos NFC. Botos has featured for the under 17, 19 and 21 Greek national teams.
