Hello and welcome to the scouting report and key battles weekly column! This week’s edition of Ahmed’s analysis will take a closer look at Granada’s transfers, form, strategy, a few things you (probably) didn't know about the club, predicted line-up and key battles.
Giampaolo Pozzo and his family own three European clubs with them being Granada in Spain, Udinese in Italy and Watford in England. He shuttles players around from one team to the other, like books from a central warehouse, or goods passing through transit ports. Interestingly enough, the Pozzo approach appears to work. Udinese, in his native Friuli Venezia region of northern Italy, also to a lesser extent in Granada and Watford, recruits players from a multitude of countries and sells the best of them, such as Alexis Sánchez, for huge sums and profits.
The Pozzo family aren’t new to football. Harry Price of Sport.co.uk writes: "Giampaolo took over his local side Udinese back in 1986, since then Udinese have been on an incredible journey which has taken them from betting scandals and Serie B football to the Champions League, and Giampaolo didn't achieve this through following a model which involved him spending big amounts of money on players, he achieved it through investing in scouting".
Undoubtedly, a key aspect to their success has been their absolutely superb global scouting network, which includes their keen eye for signing players with great potential, ability and value. The truth is that Giampaolo Pozzo has made a lot of money this way and Alexis Sánchez is far from the only player sold at a premium. It includes Marcio Amoroso, Gokhan Inler, Oliver Bierhoff, Marek Jankulovski, Fabio Quagliarella, Stephen Appiah, Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Mehdi Benatia, Guilherme Siqueira and Champions League hat-trick hero Yacine Brahimi (whom Udinese reportedly tried to sign, but failed when they couldn’t match Porto’s wages). The list is by no means exhaustive and could go on.
Eric Beard of A Football Report writes: "Promotion into La Liga is almost identical to promotion into the Premier League. That is, the best two sides in the league go directly into La Liga while the next four battle it out in promotion playoffs. However, there’s one caveat. Barcelona B could not compete for promotion into La Liga because it is part of FC Barcelona and two sides from the same club cannot play in the same league."
He continues: "Where the rules stopped this year’s (2011) Barça B squad from progressing, Udinese used a different country to push forward. And now, after the two matches in the playoff final on Wednesday and Saturday, Udinese have a team in both Serie A and La Liga. An Italian job indeed."
Founded in 1931, promoted a decade later, Granada were rescued in 2009 thanks to a partnership arrangement with Udinese. The deal helped the club maintain recently claimed top-flight status, even if only by the skin of their teeth. The transformation was a novel one, but by no means are Granada’s fans upset by the Italian presence; they are absolutely loving their rapid resurgence in Spanish football. Granada are back and the seats in Los Cármenes are filled once again. So how did this happen exactly? Well, let’s start with Udinese’s owner Giampaolo Pozzo.
Rob Hughes of The New York Times writes: "In 2009, spreading his wings, Pozzo extended a benevolent hand to the struggling, almost defunct Spanish side, Granada. He offered it a partnership: players surplus to Udinese’s needs would be lent to help lift Granada to the top tier of La Liga, where, albeit with a bit of a struggle, it remains today. In the summer of 2012, Pozzo added Watford, a club just outside London, to his family portfolio. But Watford is not in the Premier League at the moment, which was why Pozzo could acquire it for a comparatively small, and undisclosed, sum." In 2007-2008, Pozzo was elected the best president in Serie A.
What’s in it for Ginno Pozzo and Udinese Calcio, you might ask?
Eric Beard of A Football Report writes: "Well, the strategy is to use the exposure Granada gets in the Spanish league to showcase Udinese-owned talent that will, in turn, gain value in the transfer market. With Pozzo’s commitment to investing, Granada only seems likely to improve in the future. And Pozzo’s "buy cheap, gain exposure, sell high" philosophy is already working."
It’s a money-making and fame-enhancing opportunity which seems to be beneficial to all parties. Pozzo is making money, Udinese’s fringe players get exposure and the opportunity to impress in La Liga (and hopefully one day in the Premiership), Granada aren’t bankrupt and look to become mainstays in La Liga and Watford aren’t going through what Luton Town FC are going through and have the opportunity to reach the Premiership, they were close in 2013 and something tells me they’ll be there or thereabouts again this season. It’s a win-win situation all around.
Harry Price of Sport.co.uk writes: "I really fail to see how what the Pozzo family are doing is harmful to football, they are helping three different teams survive, compete and achieve. The Pozzo family are criticised for this when other owners spend beyond their club's means or use their club to fund for their own bank balance, go unquestioned by the footballing world."
On the other hand, there is the counter-argument. Martin Samuel of The Daily Mail described Watford as being a snapshot of everything that’s wrong with the modern game. He went further: "The point is it shouldn’t be allowed to work. It shouldn’t be allowed, period. No club should be able to put out an entire starting XI of loan players, plus three subs. No club should have 10 players, almost a team, registered to one generous donor. Watford has been transformed overnight into Udinese’s finishing school, with all the loss of identity that entails. Champions of the loan system see its contribution as necessary, even beneficial, spreading talent and helping bring through young players who would otherwise find their first-team opportunities limited. Many of the world’s finest footballers have at some time gained valuable experience through a temporary transfer."
He continues: "Yet even the loan defenders must be unnerved by what is unfolding at Watford. This is a club with history, a club that came through four divisions to challenge for the English title, that nurtured future England managers, that produced one of the finest English players of the modern era in John Barnes and more recently Ashley Young."
Whilst some of Samuel’s points may be valid, he completely misses the point. When Pizzo bought the club, Watford (and as mentioned, Granada) were in dire straits, and but for the takeover, Watford FC (and certainly Granada) would have ceased to exist. There is no doubt in my mind that both clubs (who have gone from strength-to-strength) would have been far worse off without the respective takeover. Fans at Granada CF have enjoyed consecutive promotions from Segunda B4, to Liga Adelante, to Liga BBVA. Watford were nearly promoted in 2013 and have cemented themselves as promotion contenders. Harry Price is spot on. And if we are to target anyone, maybe we should start by targeting the ‘bigger clubs’. The effectiveness of Financial Fair Play is at best minimal and at worst non-existent.
Interestingly, Andrew Macdonald of The University of Glasgow conducted a recent (August 2014) study on the impact of FFP on Real Madrid CF, Chelsea FC and FC Porto. His findings were fascinating. "This study has found that Real Madrid, a long established club at the top of European football, appear to be in an advantageous position and will remain unaffected by the regulation, whilst clubs that have risen from relative mediocrity in the European football environment face being constrained financially and thus also competitively hindered. It has been found that the regulation will likely reduce the overall competitiveness in European club football by increasing the gap between the clubs at the top and the rest."
He continues: "With regards to the regulation’s aims, the much maligned transfer policy, ownership and funding source of Chelsea would have been severely decimated had FFP been in place sooner. This is encouraging for UEFA’s ultimate aim of fan ownership, and FFP’s aim of encouraging ‘responsible’ spending, given Chelsea’s reputation for being ‘financially reckless’. Real Madrid’s ‘success’ with regards their ability to negotiate FFP regulation with relative ease could encourage more clubs to adopt a fan ownership structure, promoting this aim further."
He further continues: "However the financial constraints appear overly defensive - as seen with Porto, FFP would partially eliminate their business of risk-taking in the form of player investments for future rewards in the transfer market. The case studies of both Chelsea and Porto cast doubt over whether it can really achieve the aim of improving the ‘economic and financial capability of clubs’. Whilst the rules will essentially force clubs to operate within their own revenues, thus achieving their aim in theory, the case study of Porto shows that FFP could in fact be reducing Porto’s revenues, thus damaging the club regardless of whether they are able to meet that requirement. Given the deep financial issues facing European club football, FFP certainly has its place in the modern game, which had perhaps gone unregulated for too long. But there remains much room for adjustment to the specific ways in which the regulation achieves its aims, and measures will need to be taken in order to preserve the competitive element of the sport along with the long term financial viability."
And this is without even looking at the ‘smaller clubs’.
Player development is not limited to Udinese or Watford, as Granada regularly engage in taking many loan signings from one team and exchanging the favour by giving clubs many loan signings.
Allan Jiang of The Bleacher Report writes: "In the summer transfer window, six Granada players were loaned out to Segunda Division club Hercules (sad to see how far they have fallen since beating Barcelona 2-0 in 2010), with the most notable player being Gai Assulin, the former Barca and Manchester City prospect. That is an example of Granada relinquishing their players in return for footballing maturation."
It continues: "On the flip side, Granada have allocated playing time to loanees: 20-year-old Rennes full-back Dimitri Foulquier, France's FIFA U-20 World Cup hero; 23-year-old Malaga centre midfielder Recio, a ball-dominant player; and 26-year-old Mallorca wide forward Michael Pereira, a speedy winger who once scored against Barca."
Pozzo is not the only one involved in football-related asset spreading, of course. Another high-profile owner is Belgian Ronald Duchâtelet, who owns several clubs, including Standard Liege and Charlton Athletics.
Rob Langham of The Two Unfortunates writes: "Ronald Duchâtelet is also the man in charge at one of Belgium's most storied clubs, Standard Liège and the amount he paid for Charlton has been reported variously as being either £14 million or £20 million - as the source of the latter quote is Wyn Grant's excellent Football Economy site, we'll go with that."
He continues: "Reaction to the Walloon's takeover has been understated to date, even verging on the negative. As well as Standard, Duchâtelet is the man at the helm of Spain's AD Alarcón and Germany's Carl Zeiss Jena (breaker of Newport County hearts once upon a time) as well as another Belgian club Sint Truidense and Újpest FC of Hungary, albeit in the shape of his wife and son in the latter two cases."
He further continues: "Such asset spreading recalls the Pozzo family at Watford of course and the resemblance became keener in January as a host of Standard's fringe players switched to South London in a series of loan deals. That sense of disruption was then heightened by the sale of two of Charlton's stronger performers this season, striker Yann Kermorgant and midfielder Dale Stephens."
Will spreading assets success be sustainable? Yes, and legally so. The only problem that Udinese, Granada & Watford might face in the future, is if more than one of the teams qualify for European football since UEFA rules prohibit more than one team owned by the same entity, group or individual, from competing in the same European competition. But this is quite a bit away, it would seem. Though Pozzo said: "We put ourselves in Granada because it is a city with a great football potential," there is also a legal framework that ensures that Udinese’s partnership with Granada is a permanent one.
Eric Beard of A Football Report puts an interesting perspective forward and a question that needs to be asked and answered: "But is this the start of a larger trend? Udinese’s plan is profitable and it has revived Granada. As a result, both parties are happy. Real Madrid have a notable connection with Getafe, but it’s not quite as imposing as this. Should Barcelona abandon Barça B, take over local side Catalan side Girona FC and make a run for La Liga? Should Arsenal impose its eye for talented youth by rebuilding Nantes in Ligue 1?
Is this the future of relationships between the ‘haves and have-nots’ of football?"
Transfers
Granada’s transfer window player-wise has been on the whole OK, with them singing some good players but also letting go of some. Take the signing of the manager into account and it becomes great. The Caparrós effect cannot be understated. He is (and will continue) working wonders for the club.
They have invested in a young and promising right-back in Dimitri Foulquier from Rennes for £2,20 million and the equally promising Jhon Córdoba from Jaguares for £1,61 million. Useful loans in Dany Nounkeu (with a £343,000 fee), Eddy (88,000 fee), Juan Carlos Pérez and Abdoul Sissoko (from Udinese) were made.
They brought in Daniel Larsson, Javi Márquez, Josan, Oier Olazábal, Molla Wague (subsequently loaned to Udinese) all for free and squad depth. They also invested in Jean-Sylvain Babin, a key player in Granada’s first eleven nowadays. Granada have also brought in Juan Carlos Paredes, Rubén Rochina and Abdoul Sissoko. A whole host of players returned back to Granada after the end of their loan, only to then be sold or loaned out again.
Granada have had some relatively high-profile departures. They sold Guilherme Siqueira to Atletico Madrid for £8,80 million, Yacine Brahimi to Porto for £5,72 million, Allan to Udinese for 2,64 million and Brayan Angulo to Razgrad for £1,32 million.
Jon Ander Garrido, Juanma Ortiz, Hassan Yebda and Essaïd Belkalem were allowed to leave on a free. Jona, Diego Buonanotte, Borja Gómez, Ritchie Kitoko, Josan and Molla Wague were all loaned out. A number of players returned back to their clubs after their loan spells ended. This includes Alexander Coeff, Orestis Karnezis and Odion Ighalo all to Udinese.
Form
Granada’s pre-season was very good. They beat many lesser-known teams as well as a draw away to Albacete. Their season had started really well until a 1-0 loss at home to Levante on Wednesday. A team like Granada simply doesn’t have the depth to play every 3 days or so, but then again, the same can be said about Levante. Nonetheless, positive results against Deportivo La Coruna, Elche, Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao cannot be overlooked.
Strategy
Granada's preferred formation up to this point has been the 4-4-2. The Andalusians aren't likely to keep possession that much against most teams, and against Barcelona, things will be no different: they will most probably have very little of the ball.
Granada have in recent years been paradoxically a threat on set pieces, but also vulnerable to them. While they have this season famously withstood pressure from the likes of Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal, they have also been carved up at times by some lesser-rated teams such as Elche and Levante. It will be interesting to see which Granada shows up and whether Barcelona will allow them to have any say in the contest. One thing is for sure though, Granada CF will defend in numbers and try to make things difficult for FC Barcelona.
A Few Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Granada CF
Granada CF is a Spanish football club based in Granada, Andalusia. Founded on 14 April 1931, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home matches at the multi-use Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes stadium.
Granada has been a runner-up of the Copa del Rey. The Mayor of Granada José Torres Hurtado promised to build a new stadium for 40,000 spectators if the team remains in the First Division. The economic crisis affecting the whole country made such construction impossible at the moment.
Granada was the third Andalusian football team after Betis and Sevilla to compete in La Liga, in 1941-1942.
Libero Guide writes: "As the club struggled to play their way back up, funds again fell short. Facing bankruptcy, Granada were rescued in 2009 by Udinese owner Gino Pozzo. Taking over the stricken club, Pozzo struck an arrangement of Granada giving his younger Italian players a run-out in return for him covering the pay roll in Andalucia."
"A year later, Granada were promoted to the Segunda and, incredibly, within only one season, to the Primera. Key to this success were 20-year-old Ghanian Jonathan Mensah and Chilean international striker Fabián Orellana, both then on Udinese’s books."
"With midfield fire from Dani Benítez and goals from Álex Geijo, Granada made the Primera play-offs, first beating Celta de Vigo on penalties. There was then more late penalty drama at home to Elche but Granada held their nerve, and again in the away leg. After 35 years, the Rojiblancos were back in the Primera."
"Starting the season with a massive changeover of playing staff, Granada struggled in the top flight, former Spanish international goalkeeper Abel Resino stepping in halfway through the season to steady the ship."
"Sacking Resino before 2012-13, Granada still managed to survive, but had to rely on victories by local rivals Málaga and Betis to keep them afloat. Vital goals by Brazilian international Guilherme Siqueira also helped but his close-season departure left returning coach, Granada-born Lucas Alcaraz, a mountain to climb in 2013-14."
Lucas Alcaraz did decide to leave Granada at the end of the season stating that "the club needs a new face". And that new face is Joaquin Caparrós. It remains to be seen what story he will write and history create.
Predicted Line-up
Caparrós prefers playing in a 4-4-2 which is quite different to most of the other La Liga teams.
Roberto Fernández (and not Oier Olazábal) will start as the goalkeeper. The backline is also pretty much set in stone. Allan Nyom, Jean-Sylvain Babin, Jeison Murillo and Dimitri Foulquier should all start.
A central midfield pairing consisting of Fran Rico and either Manuel Iturra or Hector Yuste is very likely to be deployed. The rest of the team is less certain since most teams decide to go with a very different team to what they usually do in order to try to counter Barcelona. Piti will start on the right. Ruben Rochina would definitely have started on the left but he missed the last game due to ‘a small muscle injury’ so it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to start. Darwin Machis and Juan Carlos Perez are alternatives. Youssef El-Arabi, Isaac Success and Jhon Cordoba will probably fight it out for the two striker positions. It should be a similar line-up to the one that was put out against Athletic Bilbao last weekend.
Possible XI (4-4-2): Roberto; Nyom, Babin, Murillo, Foulquier; Piti, Fran Rico, Iturra, Machis; Success, El-Ara
Key Battles
In a similar vain to Malaga’s, with the games in such quick succession and the fact that team battles are more pertinent, this week’s edition will focus on team battles.
Ability to break down v A compact defence: This is the battle which is usually key in this sort of matches. The attack usually either scores an early goal and then a few more, or does the opposite and struggles to even score one. There is no doubt that Barcelona will attack in numbers and Granada will try to defend well and counter-attack.
The difference between the Malaga and Granada clashes is that Malaga were at home and players like Weligton and Sanchez know all about the dark arts of defending, whilst Babin and Murillo are still learning their trade.
Set-pieces v Set-pieces: Both Barcelona and Granada have looked good at set pieces this season so far. Will it remain so?
Complacency v Hunger: If Barcelona are complacent or simply not up to it then they will struggle. They were poor against Malaga but this coupled with the home advantage should motivate Barcelona.
Luis Enrique v Joaquin Caparrós: – Seemingly two of the best managers in the league with superb qualities few have, but they both made mistakes on the last match day. Much has been made of Barcelona’s inability to have a shot on target away to Malaga, but Granada also failed to do so at home to Levante. Will the two managers learn from the mistakes they made on Wednesday?
Final Thoughts
I for one think that football-related asset spreading the way Giampaolo Pozzo and Ronald Duchâtelet are doing it is fair and not wrong. But does it open up a whole new can of worms? Perhaps. Where do we draw the line? I’m sure there would be outrage if Barcelona abandon Barcelona B and take over Catalan side Girona FC and make a run for La Liga, as Eric suggested. Of course, this could never happen due to conflict of interests and integrity Uefa and LFP rules (the same person is unable to own two clubs playing in the same competition), but what about if Arsenal were to take over Nantes in Ligue 1?
Had it been away from home, I think Barcelona would have struggled, but with it being at home, I expect Barcelona to win by 2-0. It could be even more since Barcelona have a point to prove. It will be another case of attack v defence and it will be interesting to see how a team that has only conceding three goals, and in particular, how two highly rated young centre-backs in Babin and Murillo perform against Messi & co.
Granada FC is one of the clubs you can’t imagine Spanish football without and it’s early days but they look set to be one of the revelations of the season. I therefore wish them the best of luck for the season ahead.
Thank you for reading, take care and goodbye until next time!
Poll
Do you think football-related asset spreading, in a similar way to which both Giampaolo Pozzo and Ronald Duchâtelet have famously recently done, is fair?
Yes
No
9 votes | Results