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The journey begins. My made up, Argentine manager - Javi Franco - is appointed Manager of Racing Club.
Racing have a strong squad, with the likes of Lautaro Martinez already at the club.
Spent a good while going through it and the only 2 positions I needed 'cover' for were CB & DMF.
Not a bad budget of around £13mill to spend.
I've set up 2 formations, a 4-1-3-2 attacking & a 5-3-2 more defensive tactic. Both fluid formations. Sorted out the training and then it was into the transfer window.
33 year-old Miguel Martinez is brought in on a 1 year-loan as CB cover.
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Next in the door was Gonzalo Baglivo, a DMF from UT Cajamarca for a few hundred grand, as back-up for Domiguez.
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I edit all the Youth players, basically tidy up their appearance and give them proper names. 17 year-old, Argentine, Miggy Bianchi is promoted to the 1st team fold...
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A few players were sold, mainly younger ones who are low rated and have no chance of making it. My CB Sigali attracted bids from Portugal but not from one of the 'big' sides so these were rebuffed.
Business done, or so I thought. I like to keep my ML realistic in the fact if a silly offer or 'bigger' club comes in, I have to take it.
Vitesse had put a £9mill offer in for Ricardo Centurion, a very good RW who was a huge part of the 1st team plans. I rejected it, thinking 'well, it ain't like AJAX bid'. 2 hours later, Stoke, in the Prem, offered £13.5mill, about £5mill more than his value. I had to accept it.
I wouldn't find a like for like replacement, he was 77 rated and still developing (hit 78 the day he left). I knew I'd be hard pressed to find a player of the same calibre, without blowing the whole budget.
After a bit of scouting around, I found Rodrigo Gomez, plying his trade at Toluca. 73 rated but good explosive power & speed stats, which I deem crucial for a wide player. We offered £3.5mill his value, they wanted £6mill so with 2 hours before the window shut & Centurion gone, I paid it.
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Hectic start to life in South America and our first League game is away vs River Plate.
Really looking forward to this 🇦🇷🔵⚪