Thread by @FootbalIEcon

NEW Tier 1 u23 Stacks for 22/23 🔜

Not quite the Stars, but the best potential upper-tier stacks created by early European transfers.

Ft.
🇸🇪 Odgaard 🇸🇪
🇳🇱 Wijndal + Brobbey 🇳🇱
🇧🇷 Danilo + Chong 🇳🇱

#sorare

AZ - Odgaard 🔴

Alternatives - Beukema, Vanheusden*, Reijnders, Evjen, Karlsson.

Odgaard recently signed from Sassuolo for £3.7m, after a strong 21/22 season on loan at Waalwijk.

When starting last season, Odgaard averaged 53.5pts per game, helped by his 0.51 G+A/90.
While he certainly benefited from being their talisman, Waalwijk finished as the 10th best side, with Odgaard directly involved in 40% of their goals.

His positional versatility is a key factor for AZ picking him up. With AZ primarily using a 4231 shape, Odgaard is comfortable playing all 4 of the attacking roles.
He was often used as a support striker at Waalwijk, which we could see repeated with Pavlidis.

He could be used cutting in from the right, a position Evjen has not quite nailed down, or as the no.10. Should Karlsson leave AZ, Odgaard could also be used as his left side replacement.

I have selected Sugawara and Pavlidis to play with Odgaard.
As mentioned, Odgaard's versatility could see him used in various roles, within various attacking combinations as suit the fixture.
Pavlidis is least likely to be rotated with Odgaard, as his skill set is less...

...replicable using any other attacker as the striker. Also, as the lead striker, Pavlidis will benefit from the creativity Odgaard adds.

As for Sugawara, I expect him to hold down the right-back position next season.
With Wijndal leaving, and Odgaard potentially playing on the right, we could see increased possession down AZ's right. This would benefit both Sugawara and Odgaard.

Beukema could be...

...an excellent option instead of Sugawara, as he offers strong base scores to balance out the decisive focused attacking double.
However, AZ are reportedly very close to securing the loan of Zinho Vanheusden. He is a talented Belgian defender who would leave AZ...

...with 3 starting calibre centre backs to fit into two spots. This makes Beukema's spot less certain.

Ajax - Wijndal + Brobbey ⚪️

Alternatives - Timber, Kudus, Antony.

With Tagliafico leaving, it is expected that Ajax will replace him with AZ's Wijndal.
The club are also keen on Brobbey as Haller's replacement, with the player also keen, but MUFC have emerged as competition.

I'm sure everyone reading this is aware of the dominance of Ajax defenders, due to how they dominate possession.
AZ play a similiar possession-based structure, where play goes through the fullbacks. This led to Wijndal collecting 10 assists in 31 starts, averaging 72 touches/90.

Wijndal's interplay with left-winger Karlsson was vital last season.
This left-side saw a lot of the ball, with the Karlsson moving inside the fullback, creating the Wijndal overlap.
Similiar may occur with Tadic, leading to overloads, or space in advanced crossing positions.

Wijndal could become an elite hybrid player.

12 decisive in 31 starts is absurd numbers for a defender.
When combined with the extreme AA scores put up by Ajax fullbacks, I would expect to see more than just the one 85+ score Wijndal put up last season.

Brobbey - ajax chance creation, all round assets, unique young striker

Ajax produced a huge 2.61 xG/90 last season, only failing to score in 3 games(9%).
With key creators Tadic, Berghuis and Antony looking likely to stay, there is reason to think they can hit similar numbers.

Brobbey struggled for minutes last season, playing number two to Seb Haller. However, he managed to score 7 goals in 11 appearances, including goals in all 4 of his league starts.

Brobbey is a bit of a rarity at his age. Many young attackers with his combination of...

...speed and strength get forced wide onto the wings. But Brobbey has held onto his striker role, allowing him to refine his finishing and hold up play without losing his speed.

This has allowed him to develop into a player who is still very raw but possesses...

...a breadth of assets that very few no.9s do, especially at his age.

I have decided to finish this Ajax stack with Kenneth Taylor.

Timber and Antony are the obvious choices, but as extremely premium assets, with some transfer risk, I decided to pick a cheaper option.

Taylor looks to be the successor of Gravenberch, entering the Ajax midfield...

...behind the attacking 4. His dribbling and duelling ability are really strong for a primarily defensive midfielder. Combined with his vision and defensive involvement, he should offer strong base scores.

Using this trio also leaves the extra spot available.

Kudus was my other consideration for this spot as he has the potential to be a great asset this season if he can force his way into the team.
While minutes seem scarce for now, his performance for Ghana at the WC may help his case.

Feyenoord - Danilo + Chong 🔴

Alternatives - Kokcu, Taabouni, Ekkelenkamp*, Dilrosun*.

Feyenoord executed the swift free transfers of Danilo and Taabouni, while Chong is strongly linked to returning to his boyhood club, possibly on a permanent deal.

It's tricky to dive too deep into Danilo analytically due to the year of his career he seemingly wasted at Ajax last season. However, in the previous season, he hit 17G+5A in 31 starts for 10th place FC Twente.

He had a direct hand in 45% of their goals.

Chong had a decent spell at Birmingham but his injuries combined with the level of the team really hampered his season.

His speed combined with his long gates and quick feet allow him to explode off the mark to beat his man. His decision-making needs work, but his crossing...

...and final ball is well developed.

He can play on either flank, but his role at Feyenoord depends partially on other personnel, such as the close signing of Dilrosun.

I think he will really flourish should he get the Feyenoord move. The quality of the squad...

...and the pipeline of talented wingers coming out of the Eredivisie will aid his development far more than his previous teams.

The combination of Danilo and Chong could work really well in a stack, with Chong being a midfielder card. This allows you two of the front 3, without using your extra slot.

Moreover, Danilo is a clinical finisher, while Chong is a creation-focused winger, potential leading...

...to a fruitful relationship.

As for Geertruida, I expect him to be relatively nailed at CB this season, where he should develop a consistent AA game, to complement the attacking double.

Dilrosun (unminted) or Taabouni could be good additions or replacements if they hold down a wing spot.

Ekkelenkamp is strongly rumoured to make the move, potentially playing as a creative midfielder behind the front 3.

And of course, Kokcu is an excellent, expensive choice.