Inside Sport

Armenakas to Dutch second tier


https://forum.insidesport.com.au/Topic2375287.aspx

By moofa - 30 Jun 2016 12:26 AM

Quote:
Helmond Sport hopes midfielder Udinese
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Posted
June 28, 2016
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June 28, 14:55
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Ronald Otter
Helmond Sport hopes the nearly 18-year-old midfielder Panos Armenakas to rent a season of Udinese. The manager of the Australian youth international confirms interest from Helmond.
"There has been a number of discussions with Helmond Sport. The total package should be good. Panos must arrive to play. There is plenty of interest, including from other Dutch clubs, but Helmond Sport is certainly an option," said the agent of promise .

Armenekas is currently fixed until 2018 at Udinese, which he picked up at Watford in the summer of 2014. The Greek-Australian teenager was in England as a great talent to book, but chose Italy. The midfielder comes in Udine not covered by the main body and has to make elsewhere minutes. Armenekas linker is a midfielder, but can also be from the front feet.


http://www.ed.nl/algemeen/sport/voetbal/helmond-sport-hoopt-op-middenvelder-udinese-1.6148137
By moofa - 30 Jun 2016 2:26 PM

kaufusi wrote:
If this happens, this kid obviously doesn't have the potential that many thought. The dutch second tier really isn't that great, and at 18 he's at an age where his talents should be able to shine in a lower league, but not quite this low.


I wouldn't say it is that bad. He turns 18 at the start of August. He is a little more than 3 years younger than Ikonomidis. So going off an age equivalent season 16/17 for Armenakas would be 13/14 for Ikon where he played 19 league and 8 cup games contributing 5 goals in Primavera C (season stats). Ikon didn't really break out int he Italian youth leagues until his next season (25 games, 18 goals, 2 trophies). Armenakas was a bench player last year and if they accept this loan they probably see the Eerste divisie as better than Primavera B (Primavera broken into geographical regions B doesn't indicate a tier in any way). If he does this loan then played next season for Udinese youth then in 2 years was looking for senior football in Serie B he would be on a similar trajectory as Ikon. This is not to say we should be getting hyped about this move as Ikon really did have an amazing 14/15 where stepped up massively and youth loans like this are no indication that players are going to make it but I do think this is a fine move and should give him some good experience.

Looking at the Eerste Divisie I agree it is not great but better than most youth football. There are the top 2 Dutch youth sides in Jong PSV (Where Deng will most likely be playing) and Ajax. They are mostly 18-19 year olds with some of the better players moving between the first and second team as the season goes on. Both are top tier in terms of youth for anywhere in Europe and both finished mid table last season. So I would say the large mid table group of the league is at or above any youth teams he is likely to face. The teams fighting for promotion are most likely better than any youth side and the bottom few a little worse. Even against these bad sides he should be getting experience playing against more developed physical players which will help if he gets any chances for senior professional football. Another advantage is if he does well there will be plenty for Eredivisie scouts around.