CSKA: Season 25

We enter our 3rd consecutive season in division 3, which is a fine accomplishment and a step up from where we found the team. But the manager, the fans, and the private equity group all envision a D1 team. After all, no one manages a club or a buys a club for them to flounder in mediocrity. Below is a recap of where the team stands heading into season 25 and the upcoming ratings updates.

Season 24 at the midway point we were in relegation territory. We added Iago Aspas, Ciro Immobile, and Stefan Savic to shore the team up and we rose to the playoff spots only to lose out on goal differential on the last day.

GK: We have starting GK Carnesecchi (90) who is having a great season domestically and in the Champions League. We sold Majecki to Hamburg as he didn’t seem likely to overtake Carnesecchi – he was doing well for Monaco at the time of sale, which made it painful, but has slipped a bit since. Youth GK Mycael (80) is starting in Serie B and in the Brazilian youth teams. He is a PK specialist and modern GK who could draw a move to Europe.

RB: A two way battle between pending free agent Kyle Walker Peters (88) and Alexander Bah (88), stalwart in the Benfica side. Behind those two are youth players Alex Jimenez (76), now a rotational Milan player, and Wes Okoduwa, who I believe can develop into a lockdown defender but may need to add to his offensive repertoire.

CB: We have two aging starters in Harry Maguire (90) and Stefan Savic (88). Gone are the retired Varane and long-time captain Coates. Behind them are Chris Richards (87) and Martin Valjent (87), who are solid with some potential. 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 continues to battle injury. We’ve also added German youth international Tyler Meiser.

LB: Caio Henrique was sold this week to Celtic for Tierney and 2 Brazilian youths. He had been performing well for Monaco and is a big loss. Taking his place is Kieran Tierney (88), spot player for Arsenal when healthy, and on his way to Celtic. Alvaro Carreras has been a standout for Benfica and should see a summer move and a rating increase. He is our long-term starter. We’ve also added Ben Hawighorst for the future at CB/LB.

DM: Jordan Henderson (89) will start the season alongside oft-injured Romeo Lavia (87). Pape Gueye (87) is consistently starting for Villareal and Celtic captain Callum McGregor (87) is a good depth piece as well. From a youth perspective, we have Sekou Kone at Man United, compatriot Hamidou Makalou finally made his move to France and was on the team sheet on Day 1. Staying in France, Pape Diong has the profile I like in Strasbourg and Saimon Bouabre should be getting more game time in my opinion. We’ve also added Brazil U17 captain Ze Lucas.

CM: We recently added Hakim Ziyech (88) with Brazilian Matheus Pereira (87) behind him. A lot of youth talent should raise the ceiling soon with Kendry, Mastantuono, and Lorran all making varying degrees of progress.

AM: We brought in Iago Aspas (89) to pair with Adingra (88). Laborde and Bertrand Traore are the main backups and have been getting plenty of game time. Odobert has recovered and is getting time for Spurs. We’re transitioning the youth at this position knowing our CMs can play here as well. Irankunda and Cavan Sullivan remain, while we’ve added Isaque, Oscar Perea, and Mathis Lambourde.

CF: We brought in Ciro Immobile (90) and Jamie Vardy (88). Cognizant they are aging, we have a few options in the holster, Karim Konate, Jayden Danns are the nearest options (Laborde is a true CF as well). We’ve also signed 2 players we’re excited about: N’Guessan and Mikkel Bro Hansen.

Marketing: The “Bro” campaign featuring Mikkel Bro Hansen has been a big hit with American youth. He was recently on the Joe Rogan podcast and Barstool Sports. While the manager questions these media outlets, he has been assured by the private equity group that the message of a (former) Russian club really resonates with this audience.

Likely starting lineup: Carnesecchi, Bah, Maguire, Savic, Tierney, Lavia, Henderson, Ziyech, Aspas, Adingra, Immobile.

Youth lineup: Mycael, Martin, Sarr, Simic, Jimenez, Lavia, Paez, Lorran, Mastantuano, Odobert, Konate