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