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Azaz Turns to What He Knows Best

By Jafafa Azaz - Monday, March 9, 2020 - 3:58:45 PM

After a very disappointing first half to the season that has seen early elimination from both cups and a league position of 10th just 1 point above relegation zone, Strasbourg manager Jafafa Azaz has resorted to what he knows best. Over the last couple of weeks, Azaz has been wheeling and dealing in an attempt to secure deals that he believes will turn round the fortunes of the first team before it’s too late…or, as some others say, will set the team up for an A league title challenge should the side get relegated this season.

Players out, most of whom were yet to be given a proper chance in the first team, include Domingo Rutzel and Carlos Griva to Sheffield Wednesday (£43m combined value), Paulo Cesar Otalora, Mark Anthony Nofuente and Roberto Lisidini to LA Galaxy (£55m combined), Mahjoub el-Youssoufi to Lille (£38m), Rey Oloo to Newcastle (£15m) and Mats Hjortman and Marco Di Pietro to Falkirk (part of swap deal). Blondy will also no longer be making his move to France permanent, preferring instead to return to the 5 star retirement residence at Oviedo that Mr Chatton is building...rumour has it that there will be close to a billion in the bank to refurb the home with a ‘younger feel’ once current residents climb the stairway to heaven.

The vast amount of money raised from the above exits has already seen Kostas Lute, Pedro Martelo and Roman Lencyzk join from Oviedo for a combined fee of £103.5m (which will help fund the 100 acre greenspace required for the retirement home’s resident’s park), whilst Ctibor Spevak will join in 2 weeks from Falkirk for £35m cash plus the above players. It has also been confirmed this afternoon that Iman Dehghani will join from Boca for £15m as further reinforcement. Here’s what Azaz had to say:

“Let’s be brutally honest, this season has not gone to plan at all so far. We expected more and the fans expected more. To have already been eliminated from both cups is very disappointing, but what is more worrying is the manner with which we seem to be falling down the table towards a relegation battle. Having Sanchez out injured does not help but it is not an excuse either. I knew this league was tough but after last season’s 7th place finish and level cup final appearance, the aim was to improve not decline. We need to work more on the tactical side of things in training if we are to compete consistently in this league. However, I will always build towards what I feel is the strongest first team side possible. The signings that have now been announced today should make a difference – Lencyzk is one of the best defenders in the game for his age, Martelo adds steel and experience to our midfield and Lute has been brought in to create more chances for our forwards. With Blondy preferring to move back to Oviedo for an easy life in his final years, Spevak and Dehghani will provide the firepower to support Namatavs for the long term.”

How quickly Strasbourg can get these players settled in in order turn their form around may well determine which league they’ll be playing in next season. But one thing is for sure, they won’t lack quality and firepower next season once all deals are done…



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