Ange Postecoglou is pleased with the work that has been completed on his squad during the January transfer window.
In terms of his first team squad he as brought in four players under the age of 24 while losing Josip Juranovic and Moritz Jenz with Giorgos Giakoumakis heading in the same direction.
The sales of Juranovic and Giakoumakis will return a tidy profit on trading with Postecoglou powering on with his plans rather than sitting back to reflect on a near flawless domestic campaign to date.
It would have been easy to hold on to squad that went through 2022 winning all but four matches – three draws and one defeat- but Postecoglou’s mission is to build a better and stronger squad with each passing window. Regardless of who the casualties may be.
There was an opportunity in this window, I had an inkling that at least a couple of significant players would move on, on Josip and particularly Giakoumakis, so I really thought it was important to get ahead of the game there and get in players to replace them.
If we didn’t lose those players in the window I was comfortable with that as well, as was the club, there wasn’t a need to sell anyone.
It was a unique opportunity for us, the boys moved on. With the business we’ve done, if Giakoumakis goes though, we’ve moved on two players who are 27, 28, and brought in four who are under 24 for an awful less money and I think will make us stronger in the long-term.
It’s not about forcing players out, obviously there’s going to be opportunities. There is a model this club works on and other clubs work on.
What we’re trying to do is maximise the potential of our players but there won’t be any intent to move players out.
But in terms of our players having interest from other clubs, if it’s a good deal for everyone involved, we’ll make sure to be ready for that.
Atlanta United are expected to complete the transfer of Giakoumakis over the next week.
Just shows what gaikmakous and the way he’s went about his transfer letting a team pay for medical then do business with another club I think that irked angi and might celtic transfer business not look good he’s actually saying celtic just want over and feel sorry for Chinese team
Yes, well “Maximising The Potential Of All Our Players” is all very well. But it is probably geared toward maximising the sell-on value of the players with the benefit for the benefit of the plc in mind. Bring in players cheaper and sell them on dearer.
Fair enough, nobody grudges the company a well deserved profit, after all!
But fans and supporters want to see a winning team on the field of play and this season, up until now, we can’t complain!
But Ange seems to breaking up the winning formula of the last year and a half slightly.
He’s prepared to lose the fire-power of Giakoumakis and, well scoring goals is what wins football matches.
It’s his call of course but I am sure the fans will be hoping for a maximisation of the trophies we win in this latter part of the season.
Fair play to Ange though. Giakoumakis seems to have wanted away and no point in keeping a want-away!