Willie Miller: Aberdeen’s ability to sign top players elevated by European league qualification.
Gothenburg Great Miller explains how the promise of European league action will be a major draw for Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin’s summer transfer window signings.
Guaranteed European league action will help Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin secure top signings in the summer transfer window.
Thelin will be able to attract higher-quality players because Euroleague football will be a significant draw.
The Dons manager and his recruitment team can use participation in European leagues as a major bargaining chip in any player signing negotiations.
When you combine that with the excellent training facilities at Cormack Park and the recent Scottish Cup victory, it becomes an appealing package to relocate to Aberdeen.
European league action provides an excellent opportunity for potential signings to demonstrate their abilities.
Players will understand that competing in European football improves their chances of using Aberdeen as a platform to reach the top.
Aberdeen’s Player Trading Strategy
Aberdeen has a player trading policy in which they try to find talent and provide a platform for those players to improve themselves, with the club making money by trading them on to bigger clubs.
Bojan Miovski’s transfer to Spanish club Girona for nearly £7 million last season is an excellent example.
Aberdeen paid £535,000 for Miovski from MTK Budapest, then sold him two years later after he scored 44 goals.
There’s nothing wrong with the Dons being a trading club; Premier League champions Celtic are also one.
Providing a platform enables both players and teams to achieve success before being sold for profit.
That model keeps the club moving forwards.
Reinforcements are needed right now.
You should take some time to enjoy the magnificent Scottish Cup victory, but there is still work to be done.
Preparations for the new season must be underway already.
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin celebrates at the end of the Scottish Cup final after beating Celtic to lift the trophy. Image: Shutterstock.
The club’s engine must continue to run, which means Aberdeen must be close to signing targets.
Players have left the club, including Jack MacKenzie, Ross Doohan, and Jamie McGrath.
Kevin Nisbet, Alfie Dorrington, Jeppe Okkels, and Oday Dabbagh all return to their parent clubs after being on loan.
The manager and players require a break, but recruitment must continue.
Balancing Euro and Domestic Action
Aberdeen manager Thelin has already moved to replace Doohan by signing Australian custodian Nick Suman from Cove Rangers.
Nicolas Milanovic, an Australian winger, has also been signed from the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Aberdeen competed in the Uefa Conference League group stage during the 2023-24 season under manager Barry Robson.
That should give the club some idea of what to expect.
The guaranteed European league action and UEFA prize reward will make significant funds available.
That must be used wisely to bolster the squad during the summer transfer window.
Aberdeen requires a strong squad pool in terms of both quality and quantity to balance European league football with domestic commitments.
New players are required as the player pool for competing in Europe needs to be significantly strengthened.
Clubs that have played in the European leagues have described the guarantee as a huge burden.
No excuse if Dons are not prepared for Europe.
Hearts’ Premiership form was viewed as a burden in the recently completed season.
However, European football should not be used as an excuse for poor domestic results.
Clubs like Aberdeen work extremely hard to qualify for Europe, and it is a significant accomplishment.
However, you must ensure that the squad is sufficiently strong to handle both European and domestic commitments.
The opportunity to play two games per week in European league football is fantastic, and players should take advantage of it.
Playing in these big games was always the highlight of my football career.
Playing twice a week, including in Europe, should not be viewed as a burdensome requirement.
Teams should be excited about the challenge and prepared for it.
Read more on sportupdates.co.uk
Leave a Reply