2024
Youth Cup S24
48 teams entered this season.
There were a few more who wanted to join, but either applied late or I excluded them because of their previous record of forfeiting games.
I spend a lot of my free time organising the Youth Cup every season in addition to running the game world, and I'm not wasting my time with people who have shown they can't be bothered to set their teams.
It's also understandably one of the biggest bugbears for other managers who do. There's not much worse than setting your team only to be demolished by someone else's first team.
As one manager put it last season:
... puts out first team again David Marsden , very annoying in an elite gw that people can't be bothered despite logging in daily
Disappointingly, five times winners and last season's beaten finalists Levante won't be reaching their eight consecutive final as they have decided not to enter this time.
Thanks to those who have entered.
Team Ave. rating
Genoa 86
Leicester City 85
Barcelona 84
Espanyol 84
Juventus 84
Dortmund 83
MAn City 83
Cruzeiro 82
Hertha Jugend 82
Inter Primavera 82
Leverkusen 82
Aston Villa 81
Atletico Madrid 81
Chelsea 81
Montpellier F.C. 81
Real Madrid 81
Sampdoria 81
Bayern Munich 80
Benfica 80
Club Brugge 80
CR Flamengo 80
CSKA 80
Milan 80
Fenerbahce 79
Feyenoord U21 79
Marseille 79
Udinese 79
Arsenal 78
Dynamo Kyiv young stars 78
Dynamo Moskva 78
Hamburger SV II 78
Manchester United 78
São Paulo 78
Sevilla 78
Besiktas 77
Olympiacos 77
Stoke City 77
Athletic Club 76
Dinamo Zagreb 76
Santos FC 76
Schalke 76
Hoffenheim 75
Lyon 75
Tottenham 75
Valencia 74
St Ettiene 73
Everton 72
Villarreal 72
Groups and fixture schedules can be found on the Challonge website as usual. This is ONLY for the group games.
There are eight groups of six teams each.
Each team will play each other once, so five group games each.
We'll have a xmas and new year break this season, so the first three group games are 7, 14 and 21 December, then the final two games are 4 and 11 January 2025.
Top four in each group qualify for the Knockout Stage beginning 25 January (one leg). Subsequent rounds of 16, QF, SF and Final will all be over two legs. I'll make a new Challonge site for the Knockout Stage when the groups are finished.
Losers in the first knockout round drop into the Youth Shield along with the fifth and sixth placed teams in the Group Stage. The Shield begins on 1 February, one leg for rounds of 32 and 16, then two legs for QF, SF and Final.
Finals for both Youth Cup and Shield will be 15 and 22 March.
We have a WhatsApp group for the Youth Cup and a FB Messenger group, where I send out reminders of fixtures and results with updated tables.
Espanyols Ambitious season 24 Campaign
A Battle for Survival and Growth As Espanyol embarks on the 2024 season, the club finds itself once again in Division 1,
Ranked 28th in the power rankings and tipped by Malcom's statistical model for relegation for the third consecutive year, the road ahead looks daunting. However, the mood at the club is one of cautious optimism, with manager Glen Mullan making significant moves in the transfer market to reinforce the squad.
The mission is clear: survival in the top tier, and laying the foundations for long-term success. A New Look Espanyol Mullan's transfer dealings have been bold and strategic, with the aim of addressing the team's weaknesses while also securing its future. The manager has brought in a mixture of experience and youth, with key signings that could be the difference between another relegation battle and a steady season in Division 1.
Key Signings for the 2024 Season:
Milan Skriniar (Defender): The experienced Slovakian international joins from Inter Milan, offering solidity at the back and leadership in what is expected to be a physically demanding campaign.
Juan Cuadrado (Right-back/Winger): The Colombian's versatility and experience bring much-needed quality to both the defensive and attacking flanks.
Bradley Barcola (Forward): The French forward is expected to add pace and creativity, providing a fresh attacking threat for the club.
Calvin Stengs (Winger): The Dutch international, known for his dribbling and playmaking ability, will add width and flair to Espanyol's offensive setup.
Arnau Martinez (Full-back): A rising Spanish star, Martinez will provide depth at the back and also contribute to the team's build-up play.
In addition to these key senior signings, Mullan has also strengthened the squad with a series of exciting young prospects, signaling the club's long-term vision:
Ayyoub Bouaddi (FrenchMidfielder)
Faustino Yarlen (Brazilian teenager)
Ryadno (Russian fullback)
Osmar Gimenez (Paraguayan wonderkid)
Anrie Chase (Stuttgart's promising young defender)
Caleb Wiley (American prospect)
Khalil Fayad (Moroccan talent)
Samu Omorodion (Spanish hotshot)
These young players represent the future of Espanyol, and with Mullan’s focus on developing their potential, the club is preparing not only for survival in the immediate term but also for growth and success in the years ahead. The Challenges Ahead Despite these promising additions, the road to survival in Division 1 will be far from easy. Mullan himself has been frank about the challenges the club faces, acknowledging that Espanyol's position is far from secure.
"It's going to be extremely tough," said the manager. "We’ve had to cash in some extremely talented assets to try and get as competitive as possible in what's going to be the hardest Division 1 yet."The fact that the club has been tipped for relegation once again by statistical models is a testament to the tough competition Espanyol will face. With several well-established clubs strengthening their squads and the overall quality in the league rising, the task of staying afloat in the top tier seems as challenging as ever. However, Mullan remains resolute in his belief that Espanyol can exceed expectations once more. “We’ve always finished above expectations, and as we alluded to last season, we are still in that yo-yo phase," he stated. "That being said, this is the strongest squad we’ve had after it was systematically left in a disgraceful position some 9 seasons ago.
”Youth Development: A Key Pillar While survival in Division 1 is the immediate goal, Mullan is also keen to continue Espanyol’s tradition of developing young talent. The club’s youth academy has produced several promising players in recent years, and Mullan is eager to maintain that focus. "We will again enter the Youth Cup and try and reach our 4th final but hopefully this time bring the trophy home,” he said. "It’s going to be tough, but we believe in this squad's long-term aspirations and are excited about the future possibilities."The Youth Cup has become a significant competition for Espanyol, and the manager is determined to build on the club's proud history of nurturing young players. With a blend of youth and experience in the first team, the club is looking to not only survive but to thrive in the coming years.
The Road to Survival: No Time for Talking, Only Action As the season draws nearer, Mullan’s words are a clear message to his players: the time for talking is over. "Our business is done, the time for talking is over, tomorrow we go to war to fight for every ball and point to pull off the incredible escape." It’s a mentality that has served Espanyol well in recent seasons, and with a squad now significantly strengthened, the club will need every ounce of effort and determination to avoid the drop. In what promises to be one of the toughest Division 1 seasons in recent memory, Espanyol enters season 24 with hope, ambition, and a squad that may just have enough to defy the odds once again. With a renewed focus on both immediate survival and long-term success, this could be a season that marks the beginning of a new era for the club.
Season 24 Power Rankings
This post comes with the usual caveats: it’s for fun, we’re on the verge of rating updates so this is a point in time look at power rankings. And a shout out to Malcolm on whose data this is based. Over time, I do think it reflects a manager’s impact on the team – which managers can improve their teams v. which sink them or abandon ship to new pastures. The top 5s are comparing last season to this season, and season 20 to now (since that’s when I joined – I think) Without further ado…
Biggest Risers (Season 23 to 24)
- Celta Vigo (+34)
- Flamengo (+20)
- Malaga (+20)
- River Plate (+20)
- Dynamo Moskva (+19)
Biggest Risers (Season 20 to 24)
- FC Koln (+49)
- Shakhtar (+48)
- Basel (+38)
- Malaga (+36)
- Zenit (+27)
Biggest Fallers (Season 23 to 24)
- Lazio (-49)
- Man U (-40)
- Fenerbahce (-30)
- Atletico Madrid (-26)
- Werder (-23)
Biggest Fallers (Season 20 to 24)
- Feyenoord (-40)
- Sassuolo (-40)
- Man U (-38)
- Ajax (-34)
- Boca (-31)
Top 100 New Player Free Pick Prize Draw S24
Top 100 New Player Free Pick Prize Draw S24
Draw will be made at 7am UK time Wednesday 13 November.
https://www.randomresult.com/ticket.php?t=3823074Q3BQ5PFS26
Barcelona
Leicester City
Levante
Everton
Hellas
Juventus
Benfica
Espanyol
Inter Primavera
Internacional
Bayern
Club Bruges
River Plate
AC Milan
Aston Villa
Atletico Madrid
Flamengo
Independiente
Real Madrid
Sampdoria
Schalke
CSKA
São Paulo
Arsenal
Besiktas
Dynamo Moskva
Leverkusen
Manchester United
PSG
Celtic
Fenerbache
Hamburger SV II
Santos
Sevilla
Tottenham
Anderlecht
Shakhtar
• Number of teams to pick: 3
Note that prizes are for managers of the listed teams LAST season. So if a manager has moved since, they will still get the prize (e.g, PSG is Andy Kelly, Fenerbahce is Simon Thomas, Anderlecht is Neil Frankland, Shakhtar is Dan W). As for Milan, well I just hope they don't get picked.
WCC and WCS tournament S24
First of all, I want to thank all of you for your cooperation. Your support and help during last season's WCC and WCS tournament was invaluable. Congratulations again to both winners, Dortmund and Stoke City.
In new season, 24, we will have a little different format of our WCC and WCS tournament. Group stage will be organized in 10 different groups. All groups will include ten teams. There will be two teams from each division: D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. Teams will be picked based on their final position on the league table at the end of season 23. Therefore, there will be no seed this season. For example: Top two teams from D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 will be in same group. Then in the next group, we will include all third and fourth teams from D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. And this system we will be use till we fill the last, 10th, group.
Each team in a group will play one game against each other, so 9 games in group format. After that we will go to knock out system, starting with R32. In WCC, teams that finish in the top 3 of each group, will qualify. This accounts for 30 teams. Additionally, the 2 best teams that finish in fourth place will also qualify. In WCS will qualify teams from place 4-6 and extra four best teams that will finished on place 7. All others will unfortunately finished this season WCC and WCS tournament.
Because we have this system, I would like to ask all of you to help me. Games will be played every Wednesday. It will be important to organize all of your group games and also knock out as soon as possible. We will start the competition on the third Wednesday of a new season. I want to make sure you don’t miss some games. First round will be after turn 3 (schedule in the table below). Round of 32 knockout stage will have just one game. This is the same format we have in the YC or YS competition. This setup allows us to have finals in WCC and WCS played in two games.
Link to group stage schedule (this we use just for group stage matches, knock out will follow afterwards): https://challonge.com/2dj8qmkq
Below you can see how the schedule will look like this season:
| Date | Rounds |
| 17th of November | Turn 1 - first game of the Season 24 |
| 20th of November | Free |
| 27th of November | Match day 1 |
| 4th of December | Match day 2 |
| 11th of December | Match day 3 |
| 18th of December | Match day 4 |
| 25th of December | Match day 5 |
| 1st of January | Match day 6 |
| 8th of January | Match day 7 |
| 15th of January | Match day 8 |
| 22nd of January | Match day 9 |
| 29th of January | R32 |
| 5th of February | R16 Leg 1 |
| 12th of February | R16 Leg 2 |
| 19th of February | Qtr Finals Leg 1 |
| 26th of February | Qtr Finals Leg 2 |
| 5th of March | Semi Finals Leg 1 |
| 12th of March | Semi Finals Leg 2 |
| 19th of March | Final Leg 1 |
| 26th of March | Final Leg 2 |
| 27th of March | Turn 38 - last game of the Season 24 |
Let’s the season 24 begins. Hopefully we will see great and exciting tournament.
Thank you for your support and wish you all the best.
Hamburg Review S23
Not much to write home about this season. We survived. We had the worst possible start (bottom with 4 points in 9 games), recovered with a great run to 9th scoring goals galore away from home, lost our keeper Szczesny to unexpected retirement (or so we thought), then went another nine games without a win before ending with 12 points from our final nine.
We replaced Szczesny with Bizot from external taking a -4 hit in ratings. I tried to compensate for that by signing Romagnoli to replace Kiwior (+2).
Harsh ratings reviews also saw a -2 for Casemiro and a -1 for Mount.
Our star player Muller wasn't really producing the goals or assists I'd hoped for, so I decided to offload him to promotion chasing Schalke for Immobile (who guarantees goals, haha) and Depay (even though he'd just agreed an odd looking move to Corinthians in real life). -1 incoming (and just received), but Muller also likely to drop, and having two 89+ players is better than having one?
Also signed Bellegarde from Athletic Club as a utility player who can cover a few positions.
Came close to signing Goretzka from Spurs, but the deal fell through. Instead I got Forsberg and Silas for Banza.
Brought in Zielinski for Mount and Neco Williams. The speed and joy with which Greg accepted my offer tells me I overpaid, but Mount seems unable to play with injuries, and Zielinski could end up with a +1 at Inter further down the line. Neco obviously will rise, but Hamari is my right back (and might have got a +1 if it wasn't for a serious injury).
Let Adli go to United for Ampadu (who of course then got seriously injured), and Calvin Ramsay.
At end of of season, I took a big short-term risk and ratings hit signing Tomas Araujo from Fenerbahce for Lucas Martinez Quarta and young Antal Yaakobishvili, but he's due a rise....
Replaced Quarta short-term with Azpilicueta for Silas, and swapped Parisi and Malick Diouf for Renan Lodi at left back. Diouf is tearing it up in the Czech league and due a nice rise again, but hopefully Lodi will return to Europe next summer.
Starting XI at start of S23/24:
Szczesny 91 / Bizot 87
Hamari 89
Quarta 89 / Azpilicueta 89
Kiwior 88 / Romagnoli 90
Parisi 87 / Lodi 89
Casemiro 93 / 91
Adli 86 / Zielinski 91
Greenwood 88
Banza 88 / Immobile 90
Muller 92 / Depay 89
Mount 90 / Forsberg 88
Overall no difference in rating, but we do have the likes of Araujo and Ekitike coming through who should be in the first team by the new year. And I've accumulated a bunch of nice youths who are playing regularly or just starting to get minutes, or getting big moves. So reasons to be hopeful, as ever.
Season 24 Division 5 Stats and facts
AZ are 2 points above the rest , who will be 2nd?
AZ should win D5 and even D4, this should be a walk in the park for them. Kiev and Torino look like solid 2nd and 3rd place outfit, Kiev pack a punch upfront, while Torino are more defensive minded.
Around 217.5 would be survival in D4 so as usual in D5 a host of teams could seek promotion or wait a while to build their strength. There is a very narrow range of teams from 5th place Rubin down to 11th place Besitkas who will at least for a while have much more bite in their team.
Independiente look the cream of the play off crop with a well balanced team with some depth.
With no relegation there is only the fairly palid sack race to avoid. Athletic club are still being rebuilt , Chievo need to sort out their defence and midfield. Lazio seems to have continued to underperformed despite the youth structure under the previous manager.
Marseille could be a good cup team and may make a late run with all that depth. D5 is slightly weaker than last season.
| GK | DEF | MID | ATT | Top18 | Ave | ETOT | Pre | |
| AZ Alkmaar | 87.0 | 88.5 | 89.0 | 91.0 | 85.0 | 88.1 | 221.79 | 1 |
| Dynamo Kyiv | 88.0 | 87.0 | 87.8 | 91.0 | 85.0 | 87.8 | 219.75 | 2 |
| Torino | 89.0 | 88.3 | 88.6 | 88.0 | 85.0 | 87.8 | 219.56 | 3 |
| Rubin Kazan ® | 88.0 | 87.3 | 88.2 | 89.0 | 84.0 | 87.3 | 218.85 | 4 |
| Olympiacos ® | 88.0 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 89.0 | 86.0 | 87.6 | 218.77 | 5 |
| Independiente | 89.0 | 88.0 | 88.0 | 88.0 | 85.0 | 87.6 | 218.88 | 6 |
| Monchengladbach ® | 87.0 | 87.3 | 88.2 | 88.0 | 88.0 | 87.7 | 218.56 | 7 |
| Spartak Moskva | 87.0 | 87.5 | 88.4 | 88.0 | 85.0 | 87.2 | 218.56 | 8 |
| Olympique Marseille | 88.0 | 88.3 | 87.5 | 87.0 | 87.0 | 87.6 | 218.15 | 9 |
| Beşiktaş JK | 88.0 | 87.0 | 87.6 | 88.0 | 86.0 | 87.3 | 217.76 | 10 |
| PSV | 88.0 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 88.0 | 82.0 | 86.6 | 217.64 | 11 |
| Feyenoord | 88.0 | 87.0 | 87.4 | 88.0 | 86.0 | 87.3 | 217.60 | 12 |
| Newcastle United | 87.0 | 87.3 | 88.0 | 87.0 | 86.0 | 87.1 | 217.51 | 13 |
| Olympique Lyonnais | 86.0 | 86.3 | 87.2 | 89.0 | 85.0 | 86.7 | 217.13 | 14 |
| SSC Napoli ® | 87.0 | 86.3 | 88.0 | 88.0 | 82.0 | 86.3 | 216.88 | 15 |
| FK Partizan | 87.0 | 87.0 | 87.4 | 87.0 | 86.0 | 86.9 | 216.83 | 16 |
| Villarreal CF | 87.0 | 87.0 | 87.2 | 87.0 | 85.0 | 86.6 | 216.55 | 17 |
| SS Lazio | 89.0 | 87.0 | 84.6 | 89.0 | 82.0 | 86.3 | 215.65 | 18 |
| Chievo Verona | 88.0 | 86.5 | 86.4 | 87.0 | 85.0 | 86.6 | 215.63 | 19 |
| Athletic Club | 87.0 | 85.5 | 86.0 | 86.0 | 84.0 | 85.7 | 213.62 | 20 |
Season 24 Division 4 Stats and Facts
Will Augsburg double bounce?
Certainly seems that last the champs from D5 are the clear favourites to win D4. A very strong attack, midfield and plenty of depth should be enough. Zenit are half a point behind but should be confident of at least auto promotion, they can claim a well balanced team that perhaps lacks depth. Their nearest rivals are Ajax and Lille who sit a fair chunk above the rest making an interesting battle for 3 & 4th. Lille have a potent midfield, attack and keeper so should fancy winning the possession game. Ajax though could do with a better keeper , so I would make Lille the favourites from 3rd spot.
Around 219.5 should guarantee survival in D3 so any team down to Stuttgart who are the last “playoff” team could survive. They could be the team to spring a surprise into the top 3 with that strong attacking line up.
Down the wrong end of the table while hard to judge from last year 217.5 could be enough to survive.
Boca will fancy their chances , even if they lack a lot of depth, Santos will surely be bringing in a stronger keeper, which would punt them 3 or 4 places higher. Sassuolo won’t fancy double relegation, but can plucky Atalanta 1.7 points adrift survive? Div 4 is around 0.3 weaker than last season
| GK | DEF | MID | ATT | Top18 | Ave | ETOT | Pre | |
| Augsburg © | 89.0 | 88.0 | 88.6 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 88.5 | 220.90 | 1 |
| Zenit Saint Petersburg | 88.0 | 88.8 | 88.6 | 89.0 | 85.0 | 87.9 | 220.49 | 2 |
| Ajax | 87.0 | 87.8 | 88.8 | 90.0 | 85.0 | 87.7 | 220.38 | 3 |
| Lille OSC R | 90.0 | 87.5 | 89.2 | 89.0 | 86.0 | 88.3 | 220.33 | 4 |
| Dynamo Moskva (P) | 87.0 | 89.3 | 88.2 | 88.0 | 86.0 | 87.7 | 219.92 | 5 |
| FC Twente | 88.0 | 87.8 | 88.6 | 89.0 | 86.0 | 87.9 | 219.81 | 6 |
| Stuttgart | 88.0 | 88.0 | 87.6 | 90.0 | 85.0 | 87.7 | 219.74 | 7 |
| Crystal Palace R | 88.0 | 87.5 | 87.4 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 88.0 | 219.42 | 8 |
| Bremen R | 88.0 | 87.5 | 88.6 | 88.0 | 86.0 | 87.6 | 218.96 | 9 |
| AS Roma | 88.0 | 87.3 | 88.2 | 88.0 | 83.0 | 86.9 | 218.08 | 10 |
| Wolfsburg | 88.0 | 87.0 | 88.0 | 88.0 | 86.0 | 87.4 | 218.08 | 11 |
| Lokomotiv Moskva | 88.0 | 87.5 | 87.4 | 88.0 | 86.0 | 87.4 | 218.00 | 12 |
| Montpellier HSC | 88.0 | 87.5 | 87.2 | 88.0 | 86.0 | 87.3 | 217.84 | 13 |
| AS Saint-Etienne | 88.0 | 87.3 | 87.6 | 88.0 | 85.0 | 87.2 | 217.84 | 14 |
| Girondins Bordeaux (P) | 88.0 | 88.3 | 87.4 | 87.0 | 84.0 | 86.9 | 217.71 | 15 |
| Sevilla | 88.0 | 87.8 | 87.4 | 87.0 | 86.0 | 87.2 | 217.55 | 16 |
| Boca Juniors | 87.0 | 86.0 | 88.6 | 88.0 | 83.0 | 86.5 | 217.28 | 17 |
| Santos FC | 82.0 | 87.5 | 87.4 | 88.0 | 84.0 | 85.8 | 217.04 | 18 |
| US Sassuolo R | 88.0 | 87.0 | 87.0 | 88.0 | 83.0 | 86.6 | 216.92 | 19 |
| Atalanta BC (PP) | 87.0 | 85.5 | 86.2 | 88.0 | 85.0 | 86.3 | 215.20 | 20 |
Season 24 Division 3 Stats and Facts
Flamengo lead the way with Everton hoping to make up ground.
If an 88 rated keeper is good enough for D3 then Flamengo who strongest attack and midfield in D3 are clear favourites to win the league. Everton maybe a little weaker but day in day out they also have more depth. Liege would hope that a potent keeper and striker would keep them in the hunt for the title along with Sunderland who are lacking depth but are a well balanced team. Life looks tough for the promoted teams with on Galatasaray in the top 10. Relegated Udinese and Celtic could hope for the play offs. With D2 being so much weaker 221.2 would give you a chance of survival so 9th place Celta or above remain realistic prospects.
219 could well be the cut off for relegation this year. This would leave Fiorentina and Dnipro well short of what is needed, more or less similar teams, decent keeper but lacking enough punch in midfield or defence to keep them safe. Hoffenheim have a stronger team but a weaker keeper and do lack in some depth. Everton look like a really strong cup side.
| GK | DEF | MID | ATT | Top18 | Ave | ETOT | Pre | |
| CR Flamengo | 88.0 | 89.3 | 90.4 | 91.0 | 87.0 | 89.1 | 223.87 | 1 |
| Everton | 89.0 | 89.5 | 90.0 | 90.0 | 88.0 | 89.3 | 223.34 | 2 |
| Standard Liège | 92.0 | 88.8 | 89.6 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 89.5 | 222.66 | 3 |
| Sunderland | 89.0 | 89.0 | 89.6 | 90.0 | 85.0 | 88.5 | 222.26 | 4 |
| West Ham United | 89.0 | 88.5 | 89.6 | 90.0 | 86.0 | 88.6 | 221.98 | 5 |
| Udinese ® | 88.0 | 89.3 | 89.6 | 89.0 | 87.0 | 88.6 | 221.93 | 6 |
| Celtic ® | 89.0 | 89.0 | 88.8 | 90.0 | 86.0 | 88.6 | 221.74 | 7 |
| Celta Vigo | 89.0 | 86.5 | 89.0 | 92.0 | 86.0 | 88.5 | 221.20 | 8 |
| Galatasaray SK (P) | 87.0 | 89.0 | 89.4 | 89.0 | 83.0 | 87.5 | 220.97 | 9 |
| Valencia CF ® | 88.0 | 89.0 | 89.0 | 88.0 | 87.0 | 88.2 | 220.60 | 10 |
| Shakhtar Donetsk (P) | 89.0 | 88.5 | 88.6 | 89.0 | 86.0 | 88.2 | 220.53 | 11 |
| FC Basel (PP) | 87.0 | 87.8 | 88.6 | 90.0 | 85.0 | 87.7 | 220.22 | 12 |
| Club Brugge KV | 88.0 | 87.8 | 88.4 | 90.0 | 85.0 | 87.8 | 220.18 | 13 |
| Fenerbahçe SK ® | 88.0 | 87.8 | 89.0 | 89.0 | 86.0 | 88.0 | 220.13 | 14 |
| Southampton | 89.0 | 87.3 | 89.0 | 89.0 | 85.0 | 87.9 | 219.73 | 15 |
| CSKA Moskva | 88.0 | 88.8 | 88.0 | 88.0 | 86.0 | 87.8 | 219.48 | 16 |
| AS Monaco (P) | 89.0 | 87.3 | 88.4 | 89.0 | 86.0 | 87.9 | 219.37 | 17 |
| Hoffenheim | 87.0 | 88.3 | 88.2 | 87.0 | 85.0 | 87.1 | 218.35 | 18 |
| Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk | 88.0 | 87.0 | 87.8 | 88.0 | 86.0 | 87.4 | 217.92 | 19 |
| ACF Fiorentina | 88.0 | 87.8 | 87.0 | 87.0 | 85.0 | 87.0 | 217.11 | 20 |
Season 24 Division 2 Stats and Facts
Genoa lead the stats but will their keeper let them down?
More than a whole rating point above their rivals and leaders in 2 of the stats Genoa have 1 flaw. They should still get promoted back to D1 but not as champions as the stats suggest. Internacional are in my view a more formidable opposition , they top and tail a strong side and just lead Stoke in the stats. Stoke have a great deal of depth and could be a great cup team but maybe need a stronger keeper for D2 standards. That can’t be said about Hertha who again are a clear top and tail team , but with good depth besides.
Promoted Malaga should hope at least for the playoffs, however any team hoping to last in D1 would now need a 224 rating, too tough a task for all but the top 4 in D2 at the moment.
Man Utd look like sure fire relegation fodder by D2 standards they are weak in all areas and look set fair to drop. Joining them most likely will be Sampdoria. An iconic captain and manager will not be enough to save a team 2 pts away from the rest. Normally I would be look at 222 for the cut off point for relegation, that could leave half the teams in the division in trouble , though Milan and Anderlecht do seem to be adrift from the pack above them. 11th – 14th are separated by 0.04 points which is nothing, managerial skill will prevail.
Notably the division is 0.5 pts weaker per team on average.
| GK | DEF | MID | ATT | Top18 | Ave | ETOT | Pre | |
| Genoa CFC ® | 87.0 | 91.8 | 91.0 | 91.0 | 87.0 | 89.6 | 226.23 | 1 |
| SC Internacional | 91.0 | 89.3 | 90.0 | 93.0 | 86.0 | 89.9 | 225.09 | 2 |
| Stoke City | 88.0 | 90.8 | 90.2 | 91.0 | 88.0 | 89.6 | 225.03 | 3 |
| H. Berlin ® | 91.0 | 89.0 | 89.8 | 92.0 | 87.0 | 89.8 | 224.20 | 4 |
| Liverpool | 87.0 | 90.3 | 90.2 | 90.0 | 85.0 | 88.5 | 223.50 | 5 |
| Málaga CF (PC) | 89.0 | 90.0 | 89.6 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 89.1 | 223.30 | 6 |
| Aston Villa | 88.0 | 89.0 | 90.0 | 91.0 | 85.0 | 88.6 | 223.11 | 7 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 91.0 | 89.0 | 89.8 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 89.4 | 222.90 | 8 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 88.0 | 89.5 | 89.0 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 88.7 | 222.30 | 9 |
| River Plate | 90.0 | 88.3 | 89.6 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 89.0 | 222.02 | 10 |
| Swansea City | 88.0 | 88.5 | 88.8 | 91.0 | 87.0 | 88.7 | 221.99 | 11 |
| Hamburg | 87.0 | 88.8 | 89.8 | 90.0 | 85.0 | 88.1 | 221.98 | 12 |
| Cruzeiro(P) | 89.0 | 88.5 | 89.6 | 90.0 | 86.0 | 88.6 | 221.98 | 13 |
| Tottenham Hotspur(P) | 87.0 | 88.0 | 89.2 | 91.0 | 87.0 | 88.4 | 221.79 | 14 |
| Atlético Madrid ® | 89.0 | 89.0 | 89.6 | 89.0 | 85.0 | 88.3 | 221.61 | 15 |
| Dinamo Zagreb | 90.0 | 89.0 | 89.2 | 89.0 | 86.0 | 88.6 | 221.53 | 16 |
| RSC Anderlecht | 90.0 | 88.5 | 89.4 | 89.0 | 85.0 | 88.4 | 221.17 | 17 |
| AC Milan ® | 88.0 | 89.0 | 88.8 | 89.0 | 87.0 | 88.4 | 221.09 | 18 |
| Sampdoria(PP) | 87.0 | 87.8 | 88.0 | 89.0 | 85.0 | 87.4 | 219.09 | 19 |
| Manchester United | 87.0 | 88.0 | 88.0 | 89.0 | 82.0 | 86.8 | 218.93 | 20 |
Season 24 Division 1 Stats and Facts
Usual blurb for new managers.
All data was gathered at the end of the season , new transfer deals might not be included.
I work out the likely average rating in each position and the lowest rated player in the top 18 excluding multiple keepers. If the lowest player is much lower I apply common sense to not skew that data. This is fed into a formula to produce the ETOT and the expected finishing position.
Dortmund and Verona should be battling it out for the top spot with a clear 1 pt lead over Porto. Both have potent attacks but Hellas benefit maybe more from the excellent keeper. Porto with less depth match Verona in most other areas. Chelsea could maybe do with a stronger midfield to win the title but they have in team options to adjust if they wish. Juventus are swimming in high rated players which is why they just top Bayern the 7th rated team. Inter are the highest promoted team and should finish mid table. 223 would normally be enough for survival but only 2 teams Espanyol and Schalke fall below that mark. Schalke maybe ok with that decent keeper. Espanyol on the other hand hope their strong attack can score more than they let in but with a weaker midfield they look favourite to drop. Cologne lack serious depth and despite and good midfield attack combo they are really weak at the back.
Juventus should win the cups with Sporting also in with a chance.
As a whole the division in 0.25 points higher rated than this year.
| Gk | Def | Mid | Att | Top18 | Ave | ETOT | Pre | |
| Dortmund | 92.0 | 92.8 | 94.2 | 96.0 | 87.0 | 92.4 | 233.44 | 1 |
| Hellas Verona | 94.0 | 92.8 | 93.0 | 96.0 | 89.0 | 93.0 | 232.96 | 2 |
| FC Porto | 94.0 | 91.5 | 93.4 | 96.0 | 86.0 | 92.2 | 231.92 | 3 |
| Chelsea | 95.0 | 92.5 | 92.8 | 95.0 | 87.0 | 92.5 | 231.83 | 4 |
| Juventus | 95.0 | 92.5 | 92.6 | 92.0 | 89.0 | 92.2 | 229.96 | 5 |
| Bayern | 91.0 | 91.8 | 91.0 | 96.0 | 87.0 | 91.4 | 229.96 | 6 |
| Barcelona | 92.0 | 91.5 | 91.6 | 94.0 | 87.0 | 91.2 | 229.06 | 7 |
| Leicester City | 90.0 | 91.3 | 92.4 | 93.0 | 86.0 | 90.5 | 228.49 | 8 |
| Internazionale (PC) | 92.0 | 89.8 | 91.0 | 95.0 | 87.0 | 91.0 | 227.83 | 9 |
| Levante UD | 91.0 | 91.8 | 91.4 | 92.0 | 86.0 | 90.4 | 227.56 | 10 |
| São Paulo FC | 88.0 | 90.5 | 92.0 | 93.0 | 86.0 | 89.9 | 227.33 | 11 |
| Manchester City | 94.0 | 90.5 | 91.6 | 92.0 | 87.0 | 91.0 | 227.20 | 12 |
| Arsenal | 91.0 | 90.5 | 90.8 | 92.0 | 86.0 | 90.1 | 226.08 | 13 |
| Sporting CP (P) | 91.0 | 90.0 | 90.6 | 91.0 | 88.0 | 90.1 | 225.11 | 14 |
| SL Benfica | 93.0 | 89.0 | 89.2 | 94.0 | 85.0 | 90.0 | 225.02 | 15 |
| Leverkusen | 90.0 | 90.5 | 90.8 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 89.7 | 224.78 | 16 |
| Cologne (PP) | 88.0 | 88.5 | 91.6 | 91.0 | 85.0 | 88.8 | 223.99 | 17 |
| Real Madrid | 89.0 | 90.0 | 90.0 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 89.2 | 223.62 | 18 |
| RCD Espanyol | 88.0 | 89.3 | 88.6 | 92.0 | 86.0 | 88.8 | 222.96 | 19 |
| Schalke (P) | 91.0 | 88.5 | 89.6 | 90.0 | 87.0 | 89.2 | 222.34 | 20 |
CSKA Entering Season 24
We enter our 2nd consecutive season in division 3. The Brazilian ratings were kind to us with a +13 for Lorran, Matheus Pereira possibly entering our starting lineup, and our starting youth GK Mycael rising to 80. It is tough to write this post with many unknowns since rating updates have just started, but in order to engage our audience in the US (and possibly our original home in Russia as the two countries may be joining forces).
GK: We have starting GK Carnesecchi (88) who is having a good season domestically and in the Champions League. He has not forced his way into the Italy team, though that will be a future goal. Backup GK is Majecki - back from injury and starting for Monaco, also in the CL. It is a luxury to have 2 U25 GKs in the CL and it is possible one of the two will force a transfer. Mycael is also starting for cellar dwellars Paranaense. The Brazil U20 GK has drawn comparisons to Ederson and one can only hope he continues to progress. He certainly faces enough shots!
RB: A two way battle between Kyle Walker Peters (soon to be a free agent?) and Alexander Bah, stalwart in the Benfica side. Behind those two are youth players Alex Jimenez, who has struggled for minutes in Milan but should have a bright future with Madrid's buy back clause, and Wes Okoduwa, who this American manager hopes will switch his allegiance from England to the US (fun fact: 4 U17 England callups today have American eligibility).
CB: We sent two promising prospects to Levante for Varane. No regrets as he helped solidify our place in D3. However, his unexpected retirement has hurt CB depth. Our two starters will be Harry Maguire (you all may be more familiar with him as Dursley in the Harry Potter movies) and former Sporting captain Sebastian Coates. Behind them are Chris Richards and Martin Valjent, both fairly promising CBs who hold our floor at 87. Youth team players Jon Martin, Jan-Carlo Simic, Mamadou Sarr, and Tarek Buchmann hold down the fort. Simic and Sarr should be in for hefty rises given their starting spots at Anderlecht and Strasbourg. Buchmann may be the most talented of the bunch if he can stay healthy.
LB: Caio Henrique is back from his ACL tear and returning to form. Behind him temporarily is Max Wober. Alvaro Carreras is the new hot thing at Benfica. A very graceful player with a bright future, perhaps back at United. Christian McFarlane, another UK/US dual nat, is on the move to City in January. He has drawn comparisons to Antonee Robinson and was the fastest player in MLS at the ripe age of 17.
At DM, we have two oldies holding down fort. Daler Kuzyaev and Jordan Henderson will start the season on the team sheet. Behind them are fast rising Romeo Lavia, who may have overtaken Enzo certainly as a role model and possibly at Chelsea as well. Pape Gueye seems to acclimating to Spanish football after his suspension last year in France. A number of African prospects are in the youth side, including Super Samp loanee from Inter Akinsanmiro, Makalou - silver ball winner and soon to be Brest player, Pape Diong, another Strasbourg signee, and Sekou Kone, another United prospect. Saimon Bouabre, the silky playmaker for French youth teams, may also slot into this position.
At CM, Matheus Pereira and Callum McGregor battle for the starting point. Hot prospects Mastantuano and Lorran battle behind them, with wildcard Roger Gabriel also slotted in.
On the Wings we have Adingra and Laborde as starters. Traore and Ayew are the main backups. Kendry and Odobert should break into the team soon. Top Australian prospect Irankunda shows tremendous ball striking and speed, Cavan Sullivan is likely the next Pulisic, with the manager waiting to see what Olivio Tome and Luka Andrade can bring to the table.
Forward will likely have Ayew or Laborde at some point during the season. Until then it is up to player of the season Cavani to hold down the fort with Golden Boy Konate showing potential. Jayden Daans and Jovan Milosevic are also part of the squad.
Likely starting lineup: Carnesecchi, Walker Peters, Maguire, Coates, Caio Henrique, Kuzyaev, Henderson, Pereira, Laborde, Adingra, Cavani.
Youth lineup: Mycael, Martin, Sarr, Simic, Alvaro, Lavia, Paez, Lorran, Mastantuano, Irankunda, Konate
Vote: External Transfer Rule
Last night I did a couple of polls on WhatsApp and Facebook to confirm what I thought we already knew: that we want to keep the new player rule, and change the temporary external player rule.
This was confirmed.
So now we will vote here for a new external player rule.
S23 Sackings and Re-appointments
After the manager turnover following the SM worlds 2.0 updates in August, this end of season was always going to be a little different to our usual end of season chum. With such a big movement of managers in and out we've got fewer managers looking for a move, and fewer managers lined up to replace any that quit or who are not reappointed or who don't take another club.
In many ways, that makes the Admin Team's job a lot easier. In the end, I think there was only one manager we didn't reappoint. In the interests of transparency, here's how it went.
D5
Athletic Club: Wayne reappointed. Predicted to finish in last place and failed to improve, but he's active and clearly building. Another decent run in the Youth Cup.
Chievo Verona: Carlos re appointed. Started mid-season.
Villarreal: Rob reappointed. Closest to the boot as he didn't ask to be reappointed until after he was sacked, but no one was asking me for his job.
D4
Napoli: Mattia reappointed. Poor season after a couple of decent seasons, Mattia asked to stay.
Olympiacos: Ricardo reappointed. Started mid- season.
Rubin Kazan. Frank re-appointed. Promoted last season.
D3
Crystal Palace: Ricardo reappointed. Very poor Just season, but no one else wanted them when he got the job, and I couldn't see that being any different now.
Werder Bremen: Kristaps only just joined so he wasn't even sacked.
Lille: Ross reappointed after promotion last season.
D2
Valencia: Giuseppe reappointed. Started mid- season. Double relegation for Valencia, so hopefully Beppe has a plan to prevent an unwanted treble.
Celtic: Hugo reappointed. Made a good effort to stay up and avoid the sack, just failed on the last day of the season.
Udinese: Mark NOT reappointed. Poor season, zero activity seen, and Mark is the only manager who didn't ask to be reappointed.
D1
Hertha Berlin: Regan reappointed. Promotion last season, but third relegation in seven seasons. No signings that could have helped to stay up or avoid the bottom three. I have to say I was in two minds about this one, and as an Admin Team it took us nearly two days to come to a decision. That was no fun for anyone involved, least of all Regan. So apologies for that. Maybe we need a VAR for these decisions - reappoint unless there is a clear and obvious error.
Atletico Madrid: Gav reappointed following his Youth Shield triumph. Gav's doing a rebuild after too many seasons propping up mid-table. He possibly should have done it sooner and more gradually, as the rebuild is almost certainly what got him relegated. But Gav is hyper-active in Top 100 and the life and soul of the party, even if he isn't everyone's Cup of tea. I'm sure he is keen to avoid a double relegation.
Genoa. Frank reappointed. for those of you who don't know, Frank founded Top 100 and ran it for nine seasons. When he handed over to me we agreed he has a job for life.
Available Clubs
That all means that just Udinese became available as a result of sackings. Neil won that job.
Andrew quit Milan as he's quitting SM, so they were available, too. Simon go that one.
And Monaco are available after Jena left to take PSG, along with (as I write) Fenerbahce and Anderlecht.
Espanyol Signs French Star Bradley Barcola: A New Era Begins
In a thrilling move that has captured the attention of football fans across Europe, Espanyol has secured the signing of French forward Bradley Barcola from Stoke City. This transfer not only bolsters Espanyol's attacking lineup but also marks a significant step in their ambitions for the upcoming season.
A Star on the Rise
Bradley Barcola, known for his speed, technical ability, and knack for finding the back of the net, has been making waves in the Division 2. His impressive performances at Stoke City, where he showcased his talent and potential, caught the eye of several clubs. Espanyol's decision to bring him on board reflects their commitment to strengthening the squad and pushing for higher achievements in Top100
Unveiling in Front of a Passionate Crowd
The unveiling ceremony held at the RCDE Stadium was nothing short of electric. A packed home crowd eagerly awaited the moment when Barcola would step onto the pitch in Espanyol colors. Fans waved banners and chanted in anticipation, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement and hope.
As Barcola emerged, donning the iconic white and blue jersey, the cheers erupted, signaling the arrival of a player who could become a fan favorite. The young Frenchman took a moment to soak in the atmosphere, visibly moved by the warm welcome from the supporters. In his speech, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and his determination to contribute to the team's success.
What Barcola Brings to Espanyol
With Barcola's signing, Espanyol adds depth and dynamism to their front line. His ability to play across the attacking positions, combined with his sharp instincts, makes him a versatile asset. Fans can expect to see his pace and creativity on display, particularly in tight matches where a spark of brilliance can make all the difference.
Looking Ahead
As the new season approaches, Espanyol's ambitions are clear: to compete fiercely in top100 and establish themselves as a formidable force. With Barcola in the squad, they are certainly taking steps in the right direction. The combination of his youthful energy and the club's experienced players could lead to a potent attacking unit.
In conclusion, Bradley Barcola's transfer to Espanyol is not just about a player switching clubs; it symbolises hope and a fresh start for the team. With the passionate support of their fans, Espanyol is poised for an exciting season ahead, and Barcola is ready to play a pivotal role in that journey.
A Celebration to remember in Madrid
Atlético Madrid Celebrates Youth Shield Victory with Unforgettable ParadeIn a dazzling display of pride and celebration, Atlético Madrid’s youth team paraded through the streets of Madrid on an open-top bus after clinching the coveted Youth Shield.
The atmosphere was electric as fans gathered to cheer on their young champions, a testament to the club’s commitment to nurturing talent from the ground up.
The parade kicked off at the iconic Metropolitano Stadium, where players and staff were met with an enthusiastic crowd. As the bus rolled through the city, chants of “Atleti!” filled the air, uniting supporters of all ages in a jubilant celebration of the club’s achievements. Among the highlights of the day was manager Gav Harmer, who made headlines not only for his leadership but for his celebratory antics.
In a lighthearted moment, Harmer raised the Youth Shield trophy high, taking a sip of champagne straight from it, much to the delight of fans and players alike. This playful gesture symbolized the joy of victory and the unity within the team.
As the bus approached the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the atmosphere shifted to one of playful rivalry. In a cheeky move that captured the spirit of the day, Harmer decided to pull a moonie—flashing his backside—outside the home of rivals Real Madrid. This spontaneous act was met with laughter and cheers from the fans, embodying the competitive yet friendly nature of football in the city.
The parade concluded with a gathering in front of the Metropolitano, where players and coaching staff took to the stage to express their gratitude to the supporters. Harmer emphasized the importance of youth development in the club’s philosophy, reminding everyone that these young talents are the future of Atlético Madrid.
As the sun set on a memorable day, the celebration not only honored the achievement of the youth team but also strengthened the bond between the club and its passionate supporters. Atlético Madrid continues to stand as a beacon of hope and talent in Spanish football, and with moments like these, the future looks incredibly bright.May or may not of happened 😜
BUILDING A LEGACY BY GAV
Managing a club like Atlético Madrid in Top100 is not just about winning matches; it’s about constructing a sustainable future. I've guided my team through seasons, understanding the importance of long-term planning and player development is crucial. Let's explore how I've built my club while integrating some exciting new signings, including Nusa, Adam Wharton, Reis, Diego López, and Noni Madueke.
The Foundation:
Club Philosophy and VisionFirst, it’s essential to establish a clear club philosophy. Atlético Madrid is known for its strong defensive organization and resilience, so it's vital to adopt tactics that reflect this identity. As a manager, I focus on developing a playing style that not only aims for immediate success but also aligns with the long-term vision of the club.Investing in Youth and TalentOne of the most significant aspects of managing Atlético Madrid is the emphasis on scouting and nurturing young talent. The signings of Nusa, Adam Wharton, Reis, Diego López, and Noni Madueke should be seen as strategic moves to build a robust squad for the future.Nusa: A talented winger with incredible potential, his ability to stretch the play will be invaluable. Invest in his development, focusing on skills like crossing and dribbling, to ensure he becomes a cornerstone of your attack.Adam Wharton: This young midfielder has the potential to become a key player. By providing him with consistent first-team action and mentoring, we can help him develop into a midfield general who embodies
Atlético’s fighting spirit.
Reis: Known for his versatility, Reis can play in various positions. Utilize his adaptability to strengthen our squad depth, especially in crucial fixtures where rotation is necessary.
Diego López: A skill full winger , he offers stability in attack . While focusing on his training, we are integrating a young player to challenge for the position in the future, ensuring a smooth transition in our squad as he evolves.
Noni Madueke: His flair and creativity will add a new dimension to our attacking play. I Encourage him to express himself on the pitch while instilling a strong work ethic to fit into Atlético’s tactical framework.
Strategic Transfers and Financial Management
When managing our finances, i always prioritize sustainability. While it may be tempting to splash cash on high-profile signings, focusing on developing players and making smart acquisitions will ensure financial health. I Monitor my club's financial situation closely. Selling surplus players or those who don’t fit in my long-term plans this can free up funds for future investments. Additionally, fostering relationships with our youth academy will provide a steady stream of talent and reduce reliance on the transfer market.
Community and Culture
A successful club is built on a strong community. Engaging with fans and promoting a positive club culture will enhance morale both on and off the pitch. We Host community events, invest in local talent, and maintain an open dialogue with our supporters to build loyalty and support for our club.
Conclusion
Managing Atlético Madrid in Top100 is a rewarding challenge that goes beyond tactics and match outcomes. By prioritizing player development, strategic financial management, and community engagement, i'm creating a legacy that will endure for years to come. Embracing the responsibility of building not just a team, but a thriving club that upholds the values of Atlético Madrid. With the right approach, and signings like Nusa, Adam Wharton, Reis, Diego López, and Noni Madueke can pave the way for future successes, ensuring that our club remains competitive at the highest levels.