Giannoulis, Tsimikas standing out at left-back with superb seasons

Both Dimitris Giannoulis and Konstantinos Tsimikas, representing PAOK and Olympiacos respectively, have enjoyed impressive seasons as foreign teams express interest in the pair.

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Tsimikas, 23, has deservedly earned the status of fan favourite in Piraeus. Until the campaign was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic, the left-back was experiencing the season of his life with Olympiacos, standing out with his energetic, powerful, and commitment displays on the flank. Boasting great pace, Tsimikas is often too fast for his opponents, linking up well with his teammates and providing a potent attacking threat from the left-wing. A solid return of seven assists speaks volumes.

However, he isn’t the only talented Greek left-back in the Super League who is attracting plenty of interest.

Giannoulis has been a consistent performer for PAOK on the left side of defence since he was recalled from his loan spell at Atromitos in January 2019. Possessing many of the same characteristics which Tsimikas is blessed with, the 24-year-old is a reliable, agile, and intelligent player for PAOK, contributing with five assists and one goal across all tournaments this season. Transfermarkt values both Giannoulis and Tsimikas at 4.5 million euros each.

It will be a surprise if they remain at their current clubs for the 2020/2021 season.

Napoli are maintaining their high interest in Tsimikas. According to various reports, the Italian giants are eager to sign the Greek full-back in the summer, with Olympiacos demanding around 15 million. The fact that Tsimikas played so well in the UEFA Champions League group stage against Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, and Red Star Belgrade helped him draw attention from leading European clubs.

Giannoulis is in demand too, though.

Lokomotiv Moscow, regular UEFA Champions League participants and coached by the vastly experienced Yury Syomin, are supposedly choosing whether to sign Giannoulis or Tsimikas in the upcoming transfer window. PAOK would reportedly be willing to let Giannoulis go for a minimum of eight million. 

The Russians have carefully been tracking Giannoulis’ progress since the season began.

Moreover, it will be interesting to see who earns a starting spot with the national team, especially given that Konstantinos Stafylidis and Leonardo Koutris are also in the mix. So far, Giannoulis boasts seven caps for the Ethniki Omada, while Tsimikas had made three appearances for Greece. Giannoulis could be considered the slight favourite for a place in the line-up, taking into account that he played the entire 90 minutes in all of the concluding UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying games against Bosnia (2-1), Armenia (1-0), and Finland (2-1).

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