AEK's European Roster Equation Ahead of New Season

AEK is gearing up for a demanding new season in Greece and Europe, with plans to strengthen its squad through significant transfers. The club aims to acquire three to four key players who can elevate the team's quality while maintaining the existing group's cohesion and core.

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AEK will make three to four starting lineup transfers. Its goal is to increase the quality of its roster without disrupting the group's cohesion and its backbone.

The team's European roster presents a particular challenge. The article highlights a scarcity of "club-trained" players, meaning the four allocated spots for this category will likely remain "decorative" again next season. For "association-trained" players, AEK currently has Rota, Pilios, Mantalos, and Kaloskamis. Any new Greek signing would necessitate the departure of one of these players.

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Players who are local club-trained, there are none to make a difference, so the four positions next season will be – to put it elegantly – 'decorative'. Unfortunately, in this category, I don't see a 'solution' for next year either.

With 17 available spots for foreign and EU players on the European list, AEK faces decisions regarding its current squad. Players like Strakosha, Brignoli, Moukoudi, Rellvas, Vida, Georgiev, Pemrais, Pereira, Pineda, Marin, Eliasson, Gacinovic, Koutsos, Koita, Jovic, Varga, and Zini were on the list last season. However, Ljubisic, Joao Mario, Sahabo, Grujic, and Jonson were excluded. With at least three new signings anticipated, a center-back, a midfielder, and a winger, three players will likely be removed from the European list.

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The players who belong to the category of local association-trained players and also cover four positions are currently Rota, Pilios, Mantalos, and Kaloskamis. If, let's say, a Greek player is acquired, someone from the aforementioned must leave to replace him.

Vida, who may have a limited role, and Pereira, who is expected to leave, are potential departures. Eliasson or Gacinovic could also be moved to accommodate new arrivals. These calculations assume no player sales, which could create further roster needs. The club might also need to adjust its European list if a dedicated right-back is signed, potentially impacting the status of players like Georgiev. The article suggests that if AEK qualifies for the Champions League group stage, the current roster would face immense strain due to the demanding schedule, a point echoed by coach Marko Nikolic.

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Given the minimum of three transfers where AEK wants a stopper behind Rellvas and Moukoudi, a super midfielder, and a super winger, it is understood that three must come off the European list that finished the season.