[FM24] Part two: Die Werkself

[KlaaZ]

January transfer window

As I seemingly forgot this yesterday, there were a few roster adjustment during the winter break. Junior Kroupi developed really well but unfortunately, he lot his spot in the team when Ülshofer arrived. Up front, Lafaye and Steele are first choice as well, so he was getting very little playtime. He moves off to Freiburg for 46M, a healthy profit on the French lad we once signed from Napoli for 10M.

Van Den Broeck was also complaining about his playtime so he went out on loan to Manchester United as a first team regular. Finally, Mastoras lost his rotation spot to Manuel André, so when the desert called through Al-Ahli for 24.5M, we let him go as well.

Only one transfer on the incoming side. As Helgesson is out on loan and Scatolaro wasn't really performing up to the required standard, we brought in transfer listed Aaron Zehnter from Dortmund. As I launched Aaron's career when I brought him to Leuven, where he enjoyed some of his best performances, he was more than happy to be reunited. Fun fact, he actually went from Leuven to Manchester City but then left them after only two appearances to move back to Dortmund, where he racked up 100 games including sub appearances in three and a half seasons. Another fun fact, he'll be the oldest player in the squad at 27.

 

[KlaaZ]

About the new project

The tactic

This is how we lined up last season, tactics-wise. Nothing fancy, except for the trequartista up front. I actually played him on the left but it didn't really seem to work, with a CF(A) up front. Not set in stone, still working on perfecting the setup of the front three; The rest works quite well, including the IWB(S). Might change Ülshofer to a W(A) but I feel it would be a bit of a waste. Setting him up as a playmaker is also an option, as he's an excellent dribbler, with good flair, 20 vision and great passing/decisions/composure. Alternatively, I could pull Lafaye to the left and play Ülshofer in the treq role up front. Decisions, decisions..

Goalkeeper

I replaced Seimen between the stakes last year, bringing in Serbian prospect Sreckovic. He did very well and made some excellent process, but if we want to Germanize it means we'll give Seimen another chance. Aleksandar has a backup role, so he won't be disappointed, and Seimen is also happy being a cup goalkeeper. Despite having great predictions when it comes to goalkeepers for two years in a row, we've yet to get a decent prospect from the academy. 

IWB(S)

January signing Zehnter will be our main man for the foreseeable future. Next to him, both Helgesson and Borgporsson are optional replacements but neither of them are German unfortunately. In the academy, we have a young high potential in Japanese/German Tetsuya Nakamura, probably a result of our affiliation with Tokyo.

Central defense

I'll handle both my CD and my BPD together here, for the simple reason that I train all of my defenders as the latter. Our starting duo currently sports one German, Yannick Jarosch, who we signed from Bayern for 56M two years ago. Originally a full back, but had all the required attributes to be a central rock, so that's where he went. Next to him, Rachid Chentouf, who joined from Caen for 13M in 2027, is absolutely number one, no discussion. It'll take someone very special to replace him unfortunately. Funnily, just like Jarosch, he can just as well play at right back. Slovakian left footer Vesely  turned out very, very well too. And then there's Van Den Broeck returning from loan at United. There's also a possibility to drop Awuah (who will be discussed at length in the DM slot) back a spot as well, and we have a few prospects both from the academy (Austrian Heger, and through a new signing. 

WB(A)

Possibly the hardest position to Germanize at this point. Serrano, who we brought in from Leuven, is by far our number one starter, with Manuel André providing a very reliable backup who has made some excellent progression. Nelson Javaux, Belgian/German from the academy is the most likely prospect to fill in the position in the future but he's not ready yet, maybe another year on laon will change that.

 

[KlaaZ]

About the new project: Midfield

DM

The position where we have an abundance of choice for now. Awuah is our main starter. Coming from the academy, he was the only prospect with any clear ability when I took over at Leverkusen. Milton Bravo was his replacement option, with the Peruvian also being able to play in other midfield positions. He's allowed to leave when a good offer comes in though, as we have at least two other prospects who fit the bill: Croatian/German Cvitanovic and Lukas Binder (born in a suburb of Leverkusen, Solingen). We also brought in Tobias Otto from Bayern but he looks more like a central defender. And then we haven't even mentioned Charalabos Samaras, only 19 and returning from Groningen a better player.

DPL(S)

Enter Cardo Mavinga, Leuven academy product, vice captain and leader in the dressing room. And quite possibly one of the most complete midfielders in the world at only 22 years of age. There was interest from Manchester City but I managed to talk him out of wanting to leave by pointing out his leadership qualities. Will be one of the few players that I will probably never replace as he's just too good. I'm in the market for a German backup though, as Matias Sarue is just not up to it. He's missed out on matches and training five times last season due to nighttime activities, and barely made any progress. It's also possible that I'll push Samaras up to central midfield.

CM(A)

Young Beiersdorf, joined from Leipzig a few years ago, has been gradually replacing Acuna as a starter over the past year. Both fit the role very well either way, with excellent movement off the ball and good finishing. This is another position where some German blood would come in handy. Although we have two players in the academy who could fill the gap as well, with Abdollahi being closest to a spot in the big boy squad. Next to him, Armenian/German Grigoryan could be the next prodigy if he can improve his personality. I'm tempted to promote him to the first team for mentoring although the mentor group I've set up for him in the U19 already improved his determination a little. And there's also Noa Versavel, Belgian/German, who has been progressing surprisingly well.

[KlaaZ]

About the project: Up front

IF(A)

Ülshofer, obviously. Record signing from Frankfurt for 93M last year, and had an excellent debut season. I promoted Böhmermann to be his backup after Kroupi left, with mixed results for now but he's still young. I have other options as well but none of them have the right nationality so I'll slowly phase them out of the club. In the academy, 15-year old Felix Dreien came through the last intake and is currently the biggest prospect for the position.

IF(S)

Two players competing for the starting position here, neither of them German or Austrian. On top of that,very little perspective from the academy. Schumksi looked fenomenal when he came through the academy but he's barely made any progress. I'll try loaning him out in the hopes that that kickstarts him but otherwise we'll have to hit the transfer market.

T(A)

The other position where we probably will never replace our main starter. Lafaye is just too good. Just like Mavinga he's part of the golden generation from Leuven, and he's made some phenomenal progress. His standin, Micky Steele, is German and came over from Bayern for 20M a few years ago, and is also a very reliable option for goals. That said, I might play him more on the right and promote young Perreira from the academy, who made his debut in the Bundesliga last year at Union Berlin.

 

[KlaaZ]

Three new signings when the transfer window opens. Tobias Otto I mentioned already, for 7.5M from Bayern. Jonas Hertner is the biggest one, 67M to Leipzig for an 18-year old that needs a lot of work. After all these signings, we still have nearly 500M in the bank though, so we got the money to burn and might as well make the most of it. I'll probably loan him out if possible. Finally, Mateo Picci joins for 13.5M from Bayern. At 16, he'll spend one or two years in the youth team before we make up our mind about him.

On the outgoing side, there's much interest but only a few leavers so far. Rotini joins Everton as his contract ran out, and Telehovschi goes to Sasuolo for 7.5M. 

[KlaaZ]

Affiliate clubs: Overview

As stated several times now, we've worked very hard over the past few years to set up a wide array of feeder clubs, which I feel is having a substantial impact on the quality of the youth intakes. 

• Saint-Etienne
  • France
  • Ligue 2
  • Good youth facilities
  • Good academy coaching
  • Good youth recruitment
• Club Brugge
  • Belgium
  • Jupiler Pro League
  • Excellent youth facilities
  • Good academy coaching
  • Exceptional youth recruitment
• EA Guingamp
  • France
  • Ligue 1
  • Good youth facilities
  • Good academy coaching
  • Above average youth recruitment
• FC Kobenhavn
  • Denmark
  • 3F Superliga
  • Excellent youth facilities
  • Excellent academy coaching
  • Exceptional youth recruitment
• FC Tokyo
  • Japan
  • J1 League
  • Good youth facilities
  • Adequate academy coaching
  • Excellent youth recruitment
• FK Austria Vienna
  • Austria
  • Premier Division
  • Excellent youth facilities
  • Excellent academy coaching
  • Excellent youth recruitment
• Granada
  • Spain
  • Second Division
  • Excellent youth facilities
  • Good academy coaching
  • Excellent youth recruitment
• Hannover
  • Germany
  • Bundesliga 2
  • Great youth facilities
  • Adequate academy coaching
  • Above average youth recruitment
• Maritimo
  • Portugal
  • Premier League
  • Average youth facilities
  • Adequate academy coaching
  • Average youth recruitment
• Partizan
  • Serbia
  • SuperLeague
  • Excellent youth facilities
  • Good academy coaching
  • Exceptional youth recruitment
• Rosenborg
  • Norway
  • Premier Division
  • Great youth facilities
  • Excellent academy coaching
  • Excellent youth recruitment
• SM Caen
  • France
  • Ligue 2
  • Good youth facilities
  • Good academy coaching
  • Good youth recruitment

 

As you can see, a lot of these clubs have a more than decent youth setup, which is the prime factor in deciding who we make arrangements with. Another thing to consider is always reputation as more reputable clubs tend to have priority on good talent.

[KlaaZ]

A good preseason marred by a very unnecessary loss against Bayern in the Super Cup, with the usual suspects (Mavinga and Ülshofer) who didn't turn up. Not sure if I should be worried about this, but it's starting to be symptomatic at least..

Also turned the midfield triangle around due to the abundance of talent in defensive midfield.

[KlaaZ]

It's a starting eleven consisting only of German and Austrian players! Not how I'd play all season because some of these are not ready to carry the team yet, but there's a LOT of potential.

[KlaaZ]

Academy linkup against the (surprising) leaders, Freiburg!

Binder playing in Abdollahi, who squared it for Parreira to tap it in.

[KlaaZ]

Transfer news

Two more departures: Cvitanovic threw a fit when we rejected an offer from City, so after some  tough negotiating he's gone for a deal running up to 106M. Not bad for a player who never made the first team. Milton Bravo is also out, we were looking to offload him as we promoted both Samaras and Binder to the first team and in the end found a solution when Arsenal came knocking, for 64M. A solid profit for the Peruvian who joined us for 825k back in 2027.

Apart from that, the following players are loaned out to get some more game time: Helgesson (Chelsea), Versavel (Kortrijk), Fernandes (Roma), Hertner (Vigo), Javaux (Nice) and Tshimanga (Leicester). 

Project spotlight: August and september

The pick of the lot for the first two months is Abdollahi, by far. The young attacking midfielder has given Beiersdorf a run for his money. He got his first start in the cup against Bergisch Gladbach, returning the favour with four goals, and also scored twice in the league.

Also, an honourable mention for Lukas Binder who scored his first goal for Die Werkself away at Barcelona, securing an invaluable 1-2 win, and new signing Otto who's done well at the back.

[KlaaZ]

Oh, and another year, another new affiliate club: Sparta Prague is added to the list!

[john1]

On 07/04/2024 at 16:24, KlaaZ said:

Oh, and another year, another new affiliate club: Sparta Prague is added to the list!

Excellent choice! Who else is on your list?

[KlaaZ]

4 hours ago, john1 said:

Excellent choice! Who else is on your list?

Posted the list on Saturday, you can find it a bit higher up on this page! 🙂

[john1]

18 hours ago, KlaaZ said:

Posted the list on Saturday, you can find it a bit higher up on this page! 🙂

How did I miss it? Absolutely superb clubs you got together, did you pick them or the club did?