Ivan Jovanovic's squad decisions

By Christian Leggas

After Greece flushed their 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes down the toilet, many areas of 

this team need fixing, which probably came as a big shock to most of the fan base, with one 

area being the integration of more youth into the team.

It's not like Jovanović hasn't listened to the fans' prayers in this regard during his tenure so 

far. He played a big part in convincing young prospects Christos Zafeiris and Konstantinos 

Karetsas to turn down Norway and Belgium, respectively, in favour of the Ethniki. Christos 

Tzolis has a mortgage on the left-wing position; he rewarded Konstantinos Tzolakis with a 

stint as first-choice goalkeeper, Konstantinos Koulierakis is one of our first-choice centre-backs,

Georgios Vagiannidis looks trusted with the number one role at right-back, and, albeit 

perhaps not as frequently as some would've liked, Jovanović has given more chances to 

Giannis Konstantelias in attacking midfield, even if that means benching current captain 

Anastasios Bakasetas.

Jovanović also has a track record of moving certain older and perhaps less-talented players 

out of the Ethniki squad of late. We don't see the likes of Anastasios Chatzigiovanis, Andreas 

Bouchalakis, or Giorgos Athanasiadis in the team anymore, to name a few. However brutal it 

may be to cull more of our current crop in the close to/exceeding 30 years of age bracket, it 

must continue.

So who's got to go ASAP? For starters, Petros Mantalos, 34, Manolis Siopis, 31, Giorgos 

Masouras, 31 and Dimitrios Pelkas, 31. All four players have been, at the very least, good 

Ethniki servants. Those attacking players, in particular, have better statistical records than 

many people give them credit for. Still, for one, they're not among the first names on the 

teamsheet consistently anymore. If we get to EURO 2028, should they realistically be part of 

that squad? I say no.

As for who should replace them? Let's start by looking at the likes of Sotiris Alexandropoulos 

23, Nectarios Traintis 22, Pavlos Pantelidis 23, and Alexandros Kyziridis 25. Let's not rule out 

Konstantinos Galanopoulos either, albeit at 27. Not necessarily as starting players over the 

likes of a Zafeiris, Konstantelias, Karetsas or a Tzolis, just as choices in that mid-20's age 

bracket putting the pressure on those sorts of players until some of that highly promising 

Under-21's crop are 110% ready to make that jump to the senior team, and even beyond 

that to have those lots combined on their toes still to perform consistently. You can't say that 

the playing time and, for some, form in the way of goals and assists, of that mid-20's quartet 

doesn't warrant consideration for selection at least as well.

Some might be asking how Dimitrios Kourbelis and Anastasios Bakasetas haven't made the 

"to cull" list. I'll start with Kourbelis, yes, he's 31, can be prone to a misplaced pass here and 

there and is in a race against time to still be in the side when EURO 2028 rolls around, but 

can you name me another classical #6 who's genuinely ready to take his starting place right 

now? And one who can more often than not make that strong tackle in the middle of the 

park? Not to mention his passing on the whole is up to scratch. If so, I'd love to know. I'm all 

for developing an Andreas Ntoi or a Nectarios Triantis to eventually fill that void, but 

showing Kourbelis the door permanently at this point would be the wrong call.

Now let's talk about Anastasios Bakasetas. He has his shortcomings, sure, whether it's his 

pace or consistently finding that killer, defence-splitting pass. Like Kourbelis, there's a valid 

question mark as to whether or not he's still part of this team come 2028. But show me a 

better choice as captain at present. The squad clearly looks up to him, and he sets an 

excellent example for the rest of the team. Not to mention, he's the top scorer on our 

current roster. It also won't hurt Giannis Konstantelias to have Bakasetas around a bit longer, 

both to learn from him and to take the pressure off Giannis.

Now, before anyone reading this article has a hissy fit, wondering why on earth I haven't 

mentioned any of our promising talents aged 21 and under yet as ones who could soon be 

part of the squad, relax. Some have every chance to make an early jump. Those in that age 

bracket in the senior team at present deserve to retain their starting place.

As soon as Christos Mouzakitis becomes a regular domestically, I'd happily grant him a starting spot as well. At the same time, it's not going to hurt the likes of Stefanos Tzimas (it's only a matter of 

time before he dethrones Anastasios Douvikas as third-choice striker to begin with, that's 

brutal on Douvikas sure, but striker number three in your squad might as well be 19 than 

26), Charalampos Kostoulas, Antonis Papakanellos, Stavros Pnevmonidis, Giannis 

Apostolakis, Dimitris Kaloskamis, Christos Alexiou, Alexis Kalogeropoulos and Noah Allen 

(just him isn't enough for young left-backs either just quietly, so there's another concerning 

depth area that flies under the radar.

Not that Kostas Tsimikas, 29, and Dimitris Giannoulis, 30, are close to the finish line, so to speak, far from it, but we've got to start having a look for more LBs around Allen's age/approaching their mid-20s. Stavros Pilios is a good start.

Ivan, you've done a largely great job so far with this team in multiple aspects, but you risk undoing all of that if EURO 2028 doesn't happen. Please play your part in ending the "years without a major tournament appearance" drought, and do not extend it.

@Crazy_Ethnic

Hellas Football