Five Super League talents on AEK’s radar
AGONAsport takes a closer look at five Greek prospects in the Super League who are reportedly being watched by AEK.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
As previously reported on AGONAsport, AEK have decided to take a youthful approach moving forward, with youngsters Ziga Laci, Giannis-Fivos Botos, Theodosis Machairas and Efthymis Christopoulos having all received chances with the first team towards the end of the season. The Kitrinomavri have also been heavily linked with promising Levadiakos forward, Fotis Ioannidis, as Ilija Ivic makes plans for the transfer window.
Let’s take a look at five Greek talents in the Super League who are carefully being watched by AEK:
Giannis Oikonomidis (Panionios)
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a solid campaign in Nea Smyrni. Even though Panionios are cut adrift at the foot of the table, Oikonomidis has stood out with his reliable performances in midfield, offering a calm, composed presence for the Panthers. Last season, the competent central midfielder was regularly included in the Panionios line-up as he rapidly progressed, and he has subsequently continued his development in the current campaign. Oikonomidis made 18 appearances during the Super League regular season.
Oikonomidis has also participated in three games for the under 21 Greek national team, notably playing 60 minutes of the vital 1-0 triumph in Scotland during UEFA European Championship qualifying.
Giorgos Antzoulas (Asteras Tripolis)
The defender spent the 2018/2019 season on loan at Fiorentina. Although he didn’t play in any senior matches or remain at the club, the 20-year-old learnt a lot during his time in Italy, and he has all of the required qualities to become a centre-back of the highest calibre.
In truth, Antzoulas rarely featured for Asteras Tripolis in the Super League regular season, only playing in five matches while also competing in two Greek Cup games. Nevertheless, despite his lack of game time, many expect Antzoulas to make big progress and he’s caught the eye with his technical ability. He made his debut for the under 21 national team in September 2019.
Alexandros Katranis (Atromitos)
Katranis is currently playing on loan at Atromitos from St. Etienne. In the summer of 2017, the left-back departed Peristeri for France as St. Etienne paid 800,000 euros for his services, but he failed to settle and was initially loaned out to Mouscron for the second half of the 2018/2019 season before he returned to Atromitos. He is due to return to St. Etienne when this season ends.
The 21-year-old has managed to prove his worth at senior level with Atromitos, participating in 21 matches across all competitions while scoring one goal and dishing out two assists. AEK could potentially sign Katranis as a replacement for Niklas Hult and Helder Lopes on the left side of defence.
Giorgos Liavas (Panetolikos)
Listed as a right-back on Transfermarkt, Liavas is capable of playing in any position across the defensive line, and he is also sometimes used as a shielding midfielder in front of the defence. The 19-year-old progressed through Panetolikos’ academy before becoming an important member of the first team in the 2018/2019 campaign.
This season, Liavas has only competed in 12 league matches for Panetolikos, but he has played well when on the pitch and produced a particularly reliable performance when his club defeated Aris 2-0 at home in late January.
Giorgos Daviotis (Atromitos)
Plenty of scouts have noticed the talent which Daviotis undoubtedly has. A tricky customer for his opponents to deal with, Daviotis has been making steps in the right direction with Atromitos this year, progressing to the first team from the reserves. The right winger transferred to Atromitos six years ago from Agios Ierotheos.
Daviotis, 21, played in 11 matches in the 2019/2020 season for Atromitos, notably competing in the two league games against Olympiacos. As for the national team, Daviotis has been given opportunities to display his potential by Giannis Goumas, playing the entire 90 minutes of the U21 European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic and the Scots.
