Youth Cup / Shield Quarter-Finals

One leg again - semis will be two.

See below. Sort for next saturday.


OGC NICE (TOP120)

MY FIRST JOURNEY IN “(TOP120) ”(Season 9 -Present)

(Previously in TOP100 with Besiktas & Manchester United)

OGC NICE FC

Season 9 - League position 3rd (division 2) W6, D7, L3 and 25 points 

Squad value £273.8M

Chairman’s Target (finish top half) PLAY OFFS✅

OGC NICE  FC

SEASON 9 - (Division 2 - League position 3rd)

I took over NICE after 7 games and W1, D4, L2 and 7 points. The squad value was £273.8M + £1.1M cash and they had 12 Senior players and 19 youths. Their “very best starting 11” was at 91, but the loss of a single player would reduce this to “90”. It was an unbalanced squad and a couple of players were needed to improve their prospects.

I have managed to achieve W3, D3, L1 and 12 points, and Nice now sit in 4th spot with W4, D7, L3 and 19 points. We are 4 points away from auto promotion but with only 4 games left to play. I will be happy to remain in the play off positions with a chance of gaining promotion.

Well, the season ended and we finished in 3rd place with W6, D7, L5 and 25 points. We rested some players in our final game in order to maintain fitness for our play off match/es.

Unfortunately we had two key defenders missing from the play off semi and I expected the match to be very close. The stats were close and the game looked fairly equal but at 2-2 it was looking at going to penalties when Griezeman(89) scored the winner.

HOW AM I DOING

Season 9 - to pick them up 2nd to bottom and finish 3rd was a good season


Youth Cup/Shield 2nd Round Draws


Danish Explosion

Espanyol have today agreed to sign Gustav Isaksen from CSKA Moscow, who becomes the forth young Danish striker on the clubs books.

Espanyol's youth set up is often headlined by having the Likes of Guler, Ben Seghir, Alvaro, Hickey, Kalimuendo, Broja and Sudakov.

However lurking in the background now are three of the Danish under 21 international teams strike force and one of their under 19s

Mathias Kvistgaarden has really burst on the scene these last 12 months for both club and country, which has seen scouts flock to his native country. An astute finisher with a strong frame, he is part of the danish sides new generation.

Mads Hansen is a name to keep an eye on, versatile in terms of being equally comfortable across midfield as he is attack, he is already being dubbed then next Christian Eriksen which is certainly a glowing reference. Again now part of the Danish under 21 team and utilised as a wide forward as a starter with Kvistgaarden, he is one that could turn into a real star if the right move comes.

Gustav Isaksen who today arrives, has already hit 22 goals this season and is flying at present, on the brink of the full national team, some of Europes bigger clubs are already swarming with his club unlikely to be able to bat off approaches when those bids start to land.

Gustav Christensen has been breaking youth records weekly in Denmark and has been rewarded with a move to Hertha Berlin this spring. Last season despite playing wide left he hit 34 goals, from 31 games which is some return.

"We've opted to look at other countries where there is potential for players to break out. We can see the impact and breakout of Rasmus Hojlund, and there is a number of young players like him playing champions league football and performing at the highest level against some of Europes Elite clubs and players. Its easier to perhaps look at France, Spain or Germany, but truth be told, not everyone can be the next Mbappe and those countries are littered with 100s of players under 21 who appear to have potential but will get to the point at national level that there is a 20 players to get past to get a cap. We continue to look for players who can improve and be an asset for the club. I'm sure some will question the swap for Weah who is likely to hit 87 within the next 48 hours, just had big real life move to Juventus and is progressive. However, i think Isaksen long term could prove to be value and we are happy to now have 4 Danish strikers with potential"


Tough passage for Espanyol.

18 points from 18, Espanyol have recieved a bye to the second round of the youth cup where they will face either Arsenal or Leicester. The Spanish side comfortably progressed from their group, but will need to be at their very best if they are to progress further.

The team has got stronger as the competition has progressed with rating increases for Hartman (+8), Martel (+1) Sangante (+2), whilst the capture of GK Nescheret (82) defender Pacho (87) and Ramsey (87) increased the teams first 11 AV rating. With updates now in full swing and a number of the squad due to rise the team could possibly have a stronger look to it by the time their second round fixture comes.

"We are happy with the progress the squad is making, we've currently 19 players rated 80 or above currently eligible for this seasons competition of which only 3 can't play in next seasons competition. This allows us to play a number of different formations without weakening the overall side. We are in the bottom half of the draw which is arguably the harder path to the final, especially when we consider that our next game could be against last seasons semi finalist who boast the likes of Martinelli and Caicedo as just a couple of players that jump off the paper. Arsenal are equally no push-overs and historically are strong in all cup competitions. In general there are some very strong sides in the competition, which in some cases have been further strengthened by loaning in the best players from teams who did not enter, something I think the organisers should look at going forwards, given the squad cap of 50 should be adequate enough for teams to a) Firstly enter b) to not require additional resources from other teams. If they do, I don't personally think that teams who don't enter should be allowed to loan players out for the purpose of this competition".


Youth Cup Group Stage Review and Draws

Youth Cup Round 2 - best 8 group winners get bye and home tie. If level on points GD, GF, GA decides. Brackets determines draw - Levante and Espanyol both scored more than Chelsea and Bremen so go at either end of draw.

Youth Cup Round 1 - 6 other group winners and 2x best 2nd places get home ties v 8 next best runners up - losers in Youth Cup Round 1 progress to Youth Shield in Round 2.

Youth Shield Round 1 - 4 worst runners up and 10x best 3rd places.

Please organise fixtures for next Saturday 1st July.

No complaining about draw because it is 100% accurate and has taken me a good 45 mins this morning working out lots of GD's :)


OGC NICE (TOP120)

OGC NICE FC

Season 9 - League position 4th (division 2) W4, D7, L3 and 19 points (4 left)

Squad value £273.8M

Chairman’s Target (finish top half)

OGC NICE  FC

SEASON 9 - (Division 2 - League position th)

I took over NICE after 7 games and W1, D4, L2 and 7 points. The squad value was £273.8M + £1.1M cash and they had 12 Senior players and 19 youths. Their “very best starting 11” was at 91, but the loss of a single player would reduce this to “90”. It was an unbalanced squad and a couple of players were needed to improve their prospects.

I have managed to achieve W3, D3, L1 and 12 points, and Nice now sit in 4th spot with W4, D7, L3 and 19 points. We are 4 points away from auto promotion but with only 4 games left to play. I will be happy to remain in the play off positions with a chance of gaining promotion.


The Payoff - Preview of Reviews!

As with every season, the reviews are the most intriguing part of squad building. Well timed rises can set you up for a mid season push, increase a players sale value or keep you on track for future progress. Unfortunate drops or missed rises can put you on the back foot in the league, scupper transfer plans, or annoy you so much that you destroy your own team and reputation.

Despite now sitting in Division 1, Leicester City are still heavily looking to the reviews to propel us forward, and with that in mind, here are my hopes and expectations for the upcoming (eventually) reviews.

GK - Aaron Ramsdale - 90 (+1)
Ramsdale has been our starter for a year and a half having arrived rated 88. Now at 90 he is secured in the position, and will hopefully jump up after Arsenals successful season. He has played every league minute for the Gunners as they settled for a 2nd place finish pulling off some world class saves along the way. Some major errors also popped up, especially in the run in, and with an overall theme of inconsistency I think he will be limited to only a +1. If Arsenal had been able to secure the title or he was the international #1 then there could have been a push for 92, but at this stage, I don't believe that would be an option.

GK - Lucas Chevalier - 83 (+3)
It is always hard to judge the rises of low rated players who have broken into the 1st team, especially with the inconsistency of SM, but I think Chevalier would be very hard done by to end up at anything lower than 86. After a great loan at Ligue 2 side Valenciennes FC last season, Lille opted to give him a chance. After 6 games on the bench, Chevalier took the starting role and has played every game since. He has been the number 1 ranked U21 goalkeeper in the Top 5 leagues this season, and has been linked with a move to Man United and tipped as a future France international. With Lille finishing 5th in the league, Chevalier should be locked in at +3 at least.

GK - Stefano Turati - 82 (+2)
Whether Turati falls into the Top 5 reviews remains to be seen. He is out on loan from Sassuolo at Serie B Champions Frosinone, and so may be included in the review as part of either team. His performances this season have been exceptional playing 37 league games (he was rested for the last game of the season) in which he conceded just 24 goals and kept 20 clean sheets. This puts him 4th for Clean Sheets in Top 5 league nations (1st and 2nd Division). His progression looks promising, with the options to either remain at Frosinone for their Serie A season, or head back to Sassuolo to challenge Andrea Consigli for the starting role after a dire season for the 36-year-old. Either way, if he is to be reviewed, a +2 would be a fair return for what has been an outstanding season.

CB - Ibrahima Konate - 90 (+1)
This one is probably the biggest stretch but certainly wouldn't be a surprise. Since the December review Konate has played 90 minutes in 21/28 of Liverpool's matches (5 of the 7 missed were through an injury in February), as well as starting in all 3 of Frances European Qualifying matches. He has also picked up a 6.87 average this season making him the 11th best ranked CB in the Premier League (players over 15 games). Whilst on paper his season looks stop start, he has been great since the last review period, and so could well see a rise coming up.

CB - Jakub Kiwior - 85 (+1/2)
After a +2 to 85 in December and a move to Arsenal, Kiwior could see himself hitting 86 or 87 this summer. Despite not setting the world alight, Kiwior took the starting role off Rob Holding whilst William Saliba was absent, featuring in 8 games for Arsenal, as well as representing Poland at the World Cup. This is one where the move alone may be a factor in a rise, but he has given a decent account of himself too which could help in the decision too.

CB - Micky van de Ven - 84 (+3)
Joining last May, van de Ven was always seen as a long project, and that patience is paying off now. A +4 in December should be followed by another good rise this summer. He has played 90 minutes in all but 1 game for Wolfsburg this season, giving him the 2nd most league minutes of any outfield player in the Bundesliga this season. The Dutchman has attracted interest from a host of clubs, with Liverpool heavily linked with a move for him. After such a strong season a rise to 87 would be the minimum he deserves bringing him into first team back up contention for me.

RB - Bafode Diakite - 84 (+2/3)
Despite securing RB for a while with the signing of Nordi Mukiele, Diakite was a great addition for us to make as he is young and versatile with CB and LB in his locker too. After joining Lille in August, Diakite has played 36 games in all competitions, missing just 4 games, helping the team to a 5th place finish. Despite a similar season to van de Ven in terms of matches played and performance, I think a +2 is more likely here, with a chance of a +3. This is primarily based on the league and also transfer interest and international representation.

CM - Ferreira Vitinha - 89 (+1)
A landmark signing for us, Vitinha will hopefully be one of our starting CM's for years to come. The 23-year-old has made himself a staple of the PSG team after a €41.5 million move in the summer. He has played 48 games for the French champions this season, 40 of which have been starts. He has chipped in with 2 goals and 3 assists in the league, and represented Portugal at the World Cup. It has been a solid start to life in Paris, but he will hope to improve in the future. At PSG he has potential to rise to much higher levels, making him a key long term option for me, but for now I think he will hit 90.

CM - Moises Caicedo - 88 (+2)
The second part of our long them CM plan, Caicedo's development could be hugely impacted by his next move, but for now we focus on the present. Featuring in all but 1 of Brighton's league games this season, Caicedo has turned in eye watering performances and has been one of the stars of the season, not just at Brighton, but in the Premier League. He has earned a 6.95 average in midfield, making him the 10th best performer in the league at the position and is now linked with a number of clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea. With some clubmates already at 90, Caicedo will surely be the next one to reach that rating.

CM - Salis Abdul Samed - 86 (+2)
One of the surprise teams of the season this year were RC Lens, who pushed PSG to the line in Ligue 1, finishing 2nd, just a point behind the Parisian powerhouse. Samed has been a key part of that success as he featured in all but 5 games (4 through suspension, 1 through injury). Playing in a defensive midfield role, Samed was one of the main reasons that Lens put up the best defensive record in Ligue 1, and 3rd best in the Top 5 leagues behind just Barcelona and Napoli. He also represented Ghana at the World Cup to add to his impressive season. His performances earned him a spot in the GFFN Ligue 1 team of the season and a contract extension at Lens as they get ready to take on the Champions League. A rise to 88 would be fitting for now, with the potential to then push on into the 90s like Seko Fofana has done.

CM - Johann Lepenant - 85 (+1/2)
Another Ligue 1 mover, Lepenant joined Lyon in the summer and has made a good start to life at the club. Featuring in 31 league games, the 20-year-old has been a regular in the team playing at both DM and CM. A 6.65 average is a fine start, but he will hope to push on as he develops at the club. For now, a +1 is probably a realistic expectation, although a +2 would also not be a shock.

CM - Fabio Miretti - 85 (+1)
The CM overload continues with another young gem. At 19, Miretti has already featured in 47 matches for Juventus, 40 of which have come this season. 22 of those this season have been starts, a stat he will surely look to build on next season. Despite this, he has been solid, although not outstanding. A loan move is possibly on the cards to get him more game time, but at 19, his increase in game time this season should warrant a rise to 86.

CM - Habib Diarra - 78 (+4)
Having played just 4 senior games in his career ahead of this season, Diarra's role at Strasbourg was unclear heading into the season. But by matchday 4 he was a starter, and by the end of the season he is considered one of Strasbourg's most valuable assets. Despite being naturally a DM, Diarra has been utilised consistently further up at CM and AM, as well as both wings at LM, RM and RW. His skillset seems to adapt wherever he plays ad he has picked up 3 goals and 3 assists when playing in more advanced roles. After a strong season he is now linked with a move away, with Wolves and Aston Villa both keen. Based on previous rises, a +4 to 82 is what I'm expecting.

CM - Khalil Fayad - 73 (+5)
Another promising Ligue 1 midfielder, Fayad only turned 19 last week and racked up over 700 minutes this season whilst 18. While he is not a regular yet, he has started 8 games for Montpellier, as well as coming off the bench a further 17 times. Another hard increase to judge, but I think his contribution has been similar to the first half of the season for Diarra, so a +5 to 78 would probably make sense.

AM - Martin Odegaard - 92 (+1/2)
The club captain and one of my untouchable players, Odegaard is the heart of the team, both in game at Leicester and real life at Arsenal. Starting all but 1 game in the League, Odegaard has picked up 15 goals and 8 assists for Arsenal this season earning a 7.29 average rating in the process. This put him in the Top 10 of all players in the Prem. Surprisingly there is not much else as the stats speak for themselves! I think a +1 is a guarantee, and a +2 would not be a shock at all in this scenario.

Wing - Martinelli - 90 (+2)
Another of my stars from Arsenal and another long term option for me at Leicester, Martinelli joined rated 83, and should now hit 92 in the Summer. In a career best season the Brazilian scored 15 league goals and assisted 5 more in 34 starts, making him the teams joint top scorer, as well as the 12th best performing player in the league. He is ranked 2nd for the highest rated U21 in the league, beaten only by teammate Bukayo Saka, and 4th in the Top 5 leagues behind only Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Jamal Musiala (over 20 games). He is in good standing to hit 92 and with that become one of my top players.

Wing - Patrick Wimmer - 85 (+2)
A returnee after breifly being sold, Wimmer is now looking like a fantastic prospect. A 6.99 average at Wolfsburg ranks him as one of the Top 10 U21 players in the Top 5 leagues this season. Despite being at a new team and suffering some injuries Wimmer netted 4 goals and assisted 8 more in 23 league starts. He is has also started Austria's past 2 matches setting him up nicely to continue in the International team. Similarly to van de Ven, I think Wimmer should end up at 87 with a good chance of rising further as he continues to develop.

CF - Julio Enciso - 82 (+2/3)
One of the key members of the sale of Paulo Dybala, Enciso is now showing us exactly what he can do. On top of having to wait until matchday 14 to get his first minutes of the season, he only started 1 game in the opening 30 matches, contributing 1 goal in those matches. He then started 7 of the last 10 games, playing 45 minutes of 2 of those he didn't start. To return the managers faith, he delivered 3 goals (v Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City) and assisted 2 more. His goal against Manchester City has since been voted the goal of the season. At 19-years-old, Enciso looks to be the next gem product of Brighton, and there are early rumours of clubs looking to poach him from their set up. His overall season warrants a +2, but the run in could see that boosted up to a +3 to 85.

As always, it is hard to judge, and so I am sure some of these wont come off, or some will be over or under compensated, but time will tell (lots of time apparently).
Hopefully they will continue with Germany soon!


From Russia with Love to Crazy for Udinese

ZSP manager Mark Stewart was happily planning how to keep the Russian club in Division 2 when Top 100 supremo Sir Stephen Beddows sent a chance message to the Welshman

'Do you want Udinese? they have 200 players due to the former manager's incompetence but good talents to work with.' Stewart said ' initially I thought no way I'm leaving Zenit, I love tag team bear wrestling with Uncle Vlad, and the crisp winters'

However after further consideration, I realized it would be a good move for the benefit of the game world and myself to take the job, so sadly I said farewell to the fine city of St Petersburg and took a flight to Udinese.

Initial thoughts on the squad have been some cracking assets. I have had a lot of inquiries, now as everyone knows I'm not one for mass transfer deals and never do advance deals

I do want to make subtle changes and improve the squad in my own way, but right now when I look at the squad page seeing 190-odd players makes me want to throw up

People who know me will know I like to win, I think the current squad is easily good enough to get promoted so I will only do deals that I think will improve us immediately and in the future

The majority of the offers received so far have not tempted me, I know Kounde will interest the top clubs and I'm happy to eventually let him go, however until I can get rid of all the 60-odd-rated rubbish in the first week of August I do not really want to contemplate transfers unless I get an offer I cannot refuse

Results wise I suffered a nightmare start with 5 successive defeats, however, we have turned things around with 2 wins on the spin, the most recent being top-of-the-table Southampton.

With 5 promotions under my belt in T100 I won't be wasting any time and hope to get promoted this season and make it 6

As a footnote, I thank everyone once again for the messages and offers for players, but if you want to get a deal done with me before August then make sure your sending a juicy tempter

I'm staying with Udinese long term unless sacked at any point and really think I can turn them into a top division one club, thanks for reading, and have a nice day


Espanyol to take time with teenage quartet.

With Espanyol guaranteed to progress to the next stage of the youth cup with 5 wins from 5, the manager is happy to not thrust his teenage sensations into action.

Eliesse Ben Seghir at just 18 burst onto the scene in France late last year and already has a transfermkt vaiue of £18 million, his value is expected to rise again this month given his performances and stats.

This past weekend Arda Guler starred as Fenerbache won the Turkish cup. Also just 18 and not 19 until next year, Newcastle United are trying to bring him to England. With a transfermkt value of £15 million after another £4 million increase this week, the talented attacking midfielder dubbed the Turkish Messi has his suitors in top 100.

Alvaro Rodriguez 18 has broken on the scene at Real Madrid this season, so much so they blocked him going to the under 20 world cup in which he is Uruguays star man. Despite his absence, Uruguay won the world cup last night with another Espanyol man 19 year old Luciano Rodriguez grabbing the winner against Italy. Luciano is being chased by Barcelona and Real madrid, and his stock would of risen further after last nights heroics.

The teenage theme don't quite end with this quartet, as Liverpools Kaide Gordon 18, Argentinian star Julian Fernandez, Santos break out star Wessley Patati 19, French star El Arouch, Englands Adam Wharton, German striker Keke Topp, Croatian Roko Simic are all notable players playing first team football and representing their countries.

"We've a pool of teenage talent, who are making notable contributions in world football. We wanted a conveyor belt affect at this club. Last seasons youth team who reached the final, some are now in the first team. This seasons youth team also has players now getting some first team action. The natural progression will be these teenage stars, who could become not only part of a dominant youth team, but have the all the signs of being some of the games top players. We continue to scout wide and far with a growing shortlist. This has meant we've had to sell a few for cash, with Nanasi and Sasaki two examples of that this season, where we reluctantly let them go despite the signs they could be really good players."