Anderlecht screwed up and didn't manage to sell player to fund the move, so instead Mitrovic is off to Fulham. They did manage to snag a new #10 in Ryota Morioka, who has 7 goals and 11 assists in the Jupiler Pro League this season.
The UK press were reporting it as a done deal. I expect the fans will be incandescent at this: while they're out of the running for the regular season, a predatory striker like Mitrovic has been in this league would cover a multitude of sins, and anything can happen with the playoffs deciding the title. Now, their season is effectively done in terms of silverware. Morioka's an interesting signing, but I'm not sure he's an alternative to Mitrovic: He was an out-and-out striker, while Morioka's listed as a CAM who can fill in at SS: maybe they have a Sporting Director problem?
I guess this was bound to happen, since they are still sorting out the club ownership transfer and essentially have to fund sizable acquisitions out of incoming transfer fees. From the POV of their sporting management it sounds like they were in a tough spot. Morioka is more or less a classic #10, even if he potentially has the attributes to play false 9 in a pinch. He's been annihilating the league after toiling away in Poland previously, so he should be helpful.
The past year has been a wild roller coaster for Kenny Saief - including a frightening time in the hospital. But now playing great soccer for Anderlecht, the left footed midfielder want to be part of the #USMNT rebuild. My latest for @ClassicASN https://t.co/jzsZ954OJH— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 2, 2018 Good piece by @bshredder on our boy, back and killing it at Anderlect. I like this guy.
Starts: #STVV - #RSCA ⚽️ Starting line-up! 💪 Substitutes will be announced soon... #COYM #STVAND pic.twitter.com/hNKH4hR7Hl— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) February 16, 2018
Starts: #RSCA - @ExcelMouscron: starting line-up! ⚽️ Subs will be announced soon! 💪 #COYM #ANDREM pic.twitter.com/8YDV5yoxfr— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) February 25, 2018
Starts: ⚽️ #SVZW - #RSCA: the starting line-up! 💪 Subs will be announced soon! #COYM #ZWAAND pic.twitter.com/Igtw86p8Jn— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) March 3, 2018
Yup same story as last week. This guy has to be the most underrated player in our pool considering how infrequent the posts are.
Want to see a 3-5-2 with him anD Yedlin on the flanks. Pulisic in a free role as one of the “two”. Parks, Mckennie, and Adams in midfield behind him.
Few of us have a real connection with him at this point, given he’s never really played for the national squad. He’s also not an American developed player so there’s less interest in his progress abroad,
Let's be real. Hardly anyone updated the Sasha Kljestan at Anderlecht thread either. It is what it is. If you think people should update this thread more often you're free to do so. I never understand when posters comment on a lack of posts when they don't even update the thread themselves... like its someone else's responsibility or something.
Starts: #RSCA - @official_rafc: the starting line-up! 💪 Come on you Mauves! #COYM #ANDANT pic.twitter.com/9l5WuYMJdi— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) March 11, 2018
Be still my beating heart. Can even insert Glad or EPB for Cameron as the two of them have the mobility and passing ability to not crap their pants in a back three. Really want to see Pulisic in a free role. I think he can be money in the middle (look at the movement and assist on the Batshuayi goal yesterday).
As a coach, the reaction from the guy that Saief megged, after the first meg, would drive me bananas. As a professional player, after hearing the reaction from the guys around you, you still loaf around, standing flat footed, allowing the guy who just megged you to get into a position to meg you again???? I think that might be Villafana, but I would question that guy's drive. I know it's one clip, and a non-intense warm up drill, but the lack of intensity displayed after getting megged the first time is a large red flag for me. That said, pretty sweet touches by the kid.
It's a warm-up drill. Let's not read too much into it. I was more heartened by the chemistry these guys seem to be developing. Felt like a team and they bond over stuff like this. A lot of these guys don't know each other very well so chemistry will be key going forward.