Athletic Club de Bilbao
- Thread starter Cule Angles
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Alik
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soul24rage
Senior Member
Big W
Richard.H
Senior Member
winner!
Messi983
Senior Member
Didn't know where to post this but since they're both Basque legends...
Macarthur FC?s Be?at Etxebarria and Markel Susaeta have today announced their retirement from football.
Two of the most experienced players to grace Australian shores during the 16 year history of the A-League, the Basque duo were instrumental in Ante Milicic?s side during the Bulls inaugural season.
https://www.macarthurfc.com.au/news/benat-susaeta-announce-retirement
Both still relatively young too, Benat is 34 and Susaeta a year younger.
Macarthur FC?s Be?at Etxebarria and Markel Susaeta have today announced their retirement from football.
Two of the most experienced players to grace Australian shores during the 16 year history of the A-League, the Basque duo were instrumental in Ante Milicic?s side during the Bulls inaugural season.
https://www.macarthurfc.com.au/news/benat-susaeta-announce-retirement
Both still relatively young too, Benat is 34 and Susaeta a year younger.
Messi983
Senior Member
Athletic will have presidential elections tomorrow. One of the candidates (Ricardo Barkala) has promised he'll pay 22m release clause of Jon Moncayola. He has just signed a 10-year contract with Osasuna last summer.
He also wants to bring EV as a coach and Ramon Planes as SD.
Another candidate (Arechabaleta) is planning to bring Bielsa and Oscar Perarneau (former Espanyol SD).
He also wants to bring EV as a coach and Ramon Planes as SD.
Another candidate (Arechabaleta) is planning to bring Bielsa and Oscar Perarneau (former Espanyol SD).
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FinBarcelonafan
Well-known member
GL Valverde. A legend.
Messigician
Senior Member
He's back
Messi983
Senior Member
Raul Garcia has retired and Muniain also left the club after 15 years (somehow he's only 31, was really around so long I'd expect him to be in his mid-thirties). Both are club legends but neither played much last season so them leaving shouldn't impact the team much. At least not on the pitch, they will surely miss their leadership and experience but Bilbao has a very strong culture and group of players who have played together for years so that shouldn't be a problem.
Main question for next season is if Nico Williams will stay. They've signed Braga's winger Alvaro Djalo for around 15m and he'd be a good replacement for Nico if/when he eventually leaves but if he stays for another year then Djalo will be a very good added value to the team.
Bilbao reportedly also have a deal with former Sociedad RB Andoni Gorosabel who played last season with Alaves and will join as a free agent to compete with aging De Marcos.
They also want to bring back Laporte from Al Nassr and are interested in midfielder Ivan Martin who had a breakthrough season in Girona.
If they will keep Nico and sign these three players in addition to Djalo then I would consider Athletic favorites to finish 4th next season.
I don't expect Girona can repeat this season. They'll lose Aleix Garcia, Savio, Couto? and maybe Dovbyk and while I don't doubt they'll replace them with quality players (CFG will do their best to help them) I believe main problem will be they're not used to play in Europe so their squad depth will be challenged.
Main question for next season is if Nico Williams will stay. They've signed Braga's winger Alvaro Djalo for around 15m and he'd be a good replacement for Nico if/when he eventually leaves but if he stays for another year then Djalo will be a very good added value to the team.
Bilbao reportedly also have a deal with former Sociedad RB Andoni Gorosabel who played last season with Alaves and will join as a free agent to compete with aging De Marcos.
They also want to bring back Laporte from Al Nassr and are interested in midfielder Ivan Martin who had a breakthrough season in Girona.
If they will keep Nico and sign these three players in addition to Djalo then I would consider Athletic favorites to finish 4th next season.
I don't expect Girona can repeat this season. They'll lose Aleix Garcia, Savio, Couto? and maybe Dovbyk and while I don't doubt they'll replace them with quality players (CFG will do their best to help them) I believe main problem will be they're not used to play in Europe so their squad depth will be challenged.
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