Panathinaikos in need of quality summer reinforcements

Panathinaikos look to add quality, character, depth and experience to a youthful squad with endless potential. AGONAsport’s NIck Tsambouniaris investigates.

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Panathinaikos turned heads in the first half of the season courtesy of an injection of youth, speed, and unpredictability, but the squad’s shortcomings have been there for all to see in the second half of the season. Giorgos Donis’ team lacks experience, character, depth, and quality in several areas of the pitch.

This season the club, under the expert guidance of technical director Nikos Dabizas, operated under a tight budget due to severe financial problems that were well-documented in seasons gone by. On top of this, the club was hampered as they could only sign one foreigner over 23 year old. They were largely restricted to signing Greeks under 23 years old.

Next season, however, this will change as the budget will be increased for the first time in years. This will enable Donis and Dabizas to add quality and depth to a young squad on the up. The plan to promote youth from within should not be totally abandoned, but genuine efforts need to be made to strengthen as the potential is there.

Starting from the back, the position of goalkeeper is straightforward. Sokratis Dioudis is approaching the best years of his career and has now nailed down a starting spot after the departure of Odisseas Vlachodimos last season. Konstantinos Kotsaris is a solid back-up option as evidenced by his displays when Dioudis was injured this season. Marios Siampanis of PAOK remains a long-term solution to add further depth. Panathinaikos have been tracking the talented youngster for some time and could look to make a loan move for him in the summer.

In the centre of defence, it is practically a foregone conclusion that Vangelis Oikonomou will leave at the end of the season. The veteran centre half has struggled for regular playing action in a team low on depth. Vangelis Theocharis has also struggled for time and could look for a loan move away in order to get a real taste of men’s football. Nondas Pantelakis is another who has struggled in his first season at the club, although his future is unknown. Dimitris Kolovetsios (fresh off signing a new deal), Theofanis Mavromatis, and Achilleas Poungouras are certain to stay. The trio have impressed at different times throughout the season, but the opportunity will be there to strengthen in this position.

The future of full back Ousmane Coulibaly is uncertain as he has not penned a new deal. The Greens should look for a quality right back to compete for a starting spot with Mattias Johansson, who looks set to stay. This should in fact be a priority, since Johansson cannot play the entire season and a quality replacement who can make a difference will be needed.

Left back looks more settled as Emanuel Insua (who has attracted interest in the past from Spain) should stay as the starter, with Ilias Chatzitheodoridis as a strong back-up option. The latter can also play higher up the pitch and his versatility will be key.

In the midfield is where things get tricky. Dimitris Kourbelis is tipped to stay. He is the captain, leader, best player, and talisman, however he needs assistance throughout the season in such a demanding position. The Trifylli will have to sign a quality partner for him if they harbour ambitions of returning to the top four next season. Decisions will also have to be made on the respective futures of Ergys Kace, Theofanis Tzandaris, Christos Donis, and Paschalis Staikos.

Kace has seen a lot of playing time this season and should he depart, moves will need to be made for the sake of depth alone. It is expected that Kace will depart as he looks for a new challenge in his career while Panathinaikos cannot sustain a contract of his monetary value.

Tzandaris has shown glimpses of what he is capable of but has not cemented a starting spot. Staikos was made one of four captains last summer and is another who has been rarely seen. At least one, if not more central midfielders will be needed.

French winger Anthony Mounier looks set to part ways with the club at season’s end. His experience will be missed but he has failed to fire in his second season in Greece due to a string of injuries. This will open up a spot to sign at least another wide player.

Panos Armenakas will stay but has found it hard to obtain regular action. Tasos Chatzigiovannis illustrated he possesses the quality to take the Greens to the next level but he cannot be counted on for a whole season, his dip in form in the second half of the season reinforces this. Giannis Bouzoukis is perhaps the club’s most talented youngster. Keeping him will be paramount. The future of Omri Altman is also uncertain, but he is a decent back-up and can challenge for a starting spot.

Up front, Federico Macheda will be the first choice. The Italian has enjoyed a decent first season in Greece but the stakes will be higher next season. Argiris Kampetsis is a strong second choice, as he comes to terms with men’s football. He also possesses massive talent but is not ready to be counted on weekly. The same applies for teenager Dimitris Emmanouilidis. Nikos Vergos has been a miss and is tipped to leave in the summer. Should this happen, the club can look to promote the hugely talented Christos Sechou from the youth setup.

In summary, centre back, right back, defensive midfield, and the wings need to be the priorities but Dabizas should also consider moves for a goalkeeper and striker for the purposes of depth.

by Nick Tsambouniaris

Image Source: to10.gr

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