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I had the chance to see the Aris-PAOK match that recently ended two all.
Limnios had played a portion of the match as a right-back when PAOK had the man disadvantage. It's good to see the versatility if Greece ever find themselves in a similar situation. He was very smart, pulling defenders into the box and leaving space wide for PAOK to cross. He spoke loudly and made his teammates play the ball where needed. And I saw him find space at the Aris back, similar to the space Mitsel found to score the second goal, except he tried ghosting into the back post unmarked and alas never caught the attention of the man on the ball to swing him a cross. He's still a little too unpolished for the purposes of the Greek NT or European level football, but PAOK are giving him the time he needs to properly grow. He has the right attributes and aptitude to help his team. Marseilles had been said to be interested in signing him this past summer. I think if he continues to improve and gain confidence in Greece, then a move abroad is on the cards.
Giannoulis is a better player than I had thought, but I don't think he's suitable to the purposes of Greece yet. Like Limnios, he lacks refinement and has more to do to prove his worth. He was almost sold to Rennes a couple of seasons ago. If he gets to that level, where he can play in Ligue 1, I think he might be Greece's number one choice at left-back in the not so distant future. He's a tough nut reminiscent of English fullbacks Stuart Pearce and Gary Neville. I think the EPL is in his future. If PAOK sell him, they'll need to ensure a resell fee as well.
Pelkas is a good player, but he's starting to hit a plateau and I think the feeling now is this is as good as he'll get. Unless he really pushes himself to another tier and pushes also for a move abroad, he won't reach whatever potential he has left and I think that will make things difficult for himself. PAOK will eventually find another Frantzeskos or Pablo Garcia for all we know, so he has to make that push sooner than later.
Pashachalakis is an established member of the Greek NT, but rightfully considered a back-up. I was opposed to his inclusion in the past, but the wisdom of the Greek NT's technical team was not misplaced, my judgements were. He's tall, strong, and quick. The fact that he's very tall and capable of moving quickly is very impressive. He's extraordinarily fit and reflexive. I question his ability to be mentally strong enough in matches against quality teams and under difficult circumstances.
He made a big save to deny Ideye and keep PAOK in the match, but on the replay he may not have known too much about it as the shot had caught his foot and he was trying to save it with this hand that didn't quite get down quickly enough (although, in fairness to him, his reaction was lightning quick and I'd be damned if there's another keeper who can get down more quickly for a goalie of his size).
I think there's also a possibility Kyriakos Papadopoulos make returns to Greece with PAOK. Kyriakos has fallen out of favor at Hamburg and has expressed in the past a desire to play for PAOK. A move to Aris I'm sure is also possible for him as I think his main intention is a return home to Thessaloniki more than anything. My thoughts are he will return to Greece in the summer and PAOK is the likelier destination.
Limnios had played a portion of the match as a right-back when PAOK had the man disadvantage. It's good to see the versatility if Greece ever find themselves in a similar situation. He was very smart, pulling defenders into the box and leaving space wide for PAOK to cross. He spoke loudly and made his teammates play the ball where needed. And I saw him find space at the Aris back, similar to the space Mitsel found to score the second goal, except he tried ghosting into the back post unmarked and alas never caught the attention of the man on the ball to swing him a cross. He's still a little too unpolished for the purposes of the Greek NT or European level football, but PAOK are giving him the time he needs to properly grow. He has the right attributes and aptitude to help his team. Marseilles had been said to be interested in signing him this past summer. I think if he continues to improve and gain confidence in Greece, then a move abroad is on the cards.
Giannoulis is a better player than I had thought, but I don't think he's suitable to the purposes of Greece yet. Like Limnios, he lacks refinement and has more to do to prove his worth. He was almost sold to Rennes a couple of seasons ago. If he gets to that level, where he can play in Ligue 1, I think he might be Greece's number one choice at left-back in the not so distant future. He's a tough nut reminiscent of English fullbacks Stuart Pearce and Gary Neville. I think the EPL is in his future. If PAOK sell him, they'll need to ensure a resell fee as well.
Pelkas is a good player, but he's starting to hit a plateau and I think the feeling now is this is as good as he'll get. Unless he really pushes himself to another tier and pushes also for a move abroad, he won't reach whatever potential he has left and I think that will make things difficult for himself. PAOK will eventually find another Frantzeskos or Pablo Garcia for all we know, so he has to make that push sooner than later.
Pashachalakis is an established member of the Greek NT, but rightfully considered a back-up. I was opposed to his inclusion in the past, but the wisdom of the Greek NT's technical team was not misplaced, my judgements were. He's tall, strong, and quick. The fact that he's very tall and capable of moving quickly is very impressive. He's extraordinarily fit and reflexive. I question his ability to be mentally strong enough in matches against quality teams and under difficult circumstances.
He made a big save to deny Ideye and keep PAOK in the match, but on the replay he may not have known too much about it as the shot had caught his foot and he was trying to save it with this hand that didn't quite get down quickly enough (although, in fairness to him, his reaction was lightning quick and I'd be damned if there's another keeper who can get down more quickly for a goalie of his size).
I think there's also a possibility Kyriakos Papadopoulos make returns to Greece with PAOK. Kyriakos has fallen out of favor at Hamburg and has expressed in the past a desire to play for PAOK. A move to Aris I'm sure is also possible for him as I think his main intention is a return home to Thessaloniki more than anything. My thoughts are he will return to Greece in the summer and PAOK is the likelier destination.
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