Golden oldies out, Toledo in as Beaulieu FC lose in WYC

Transfers

Two Beaulieu FC stalwarts have departed the club over the last week, after I’d decided now would be the time to let them go. Jorge Martinez had been with the club around a month and had been a very popular figure among the fans. He regularly popped up with goals and assists with a legendary ability in the air. The signing of Moussa Kouakou pushed him to the bench and, at 31, time was definitely against him. An offer of £1.2m – comfortably above his market value – saw the Uruguayan monster leave the anchor for Clueless Crew FC.

The other notable departure saw Frederico Balzaretti leave the club for AEFA Premiership rivals, Soeren’s Milenator Roar. Balzaretti had saw his position taken by the solid performances of wonderkid Vanderson Canela and at 32 was well past his prime in a Beaulieu FC shirt. Soeren desperately needed some experience in his defence, and a deal was swiftly struck that saw the veteran Italian move in exchange for £220,000.

Coming into the first team as a long term player for the centre of midfield is 21 year old star in the making Marcio Toledo. Groomed from one of the top youth academies in the gameworld, the youngster has everything: he’s a brilliant passer of the ball, he’s got a wicked shot on him, he’s quick, strong and good in the air and he’s not afraid to get stuck in. Since joining the club he’s played very well in the centre of a 4-5-1 alongside Donadel and Guilherme, the highlight so far a rasping drive in a 3-1 victory against perennial under-achievers Loftus Road FC. He’s also been dominant in the U21 side as my kids are battling for success on 4 fronts – the U18s, the U21s, the U21 KO Cup and the Youth Cup.



Defeat in the WYC

Even the presence of Toledo couldn’t get my side into the semi-finals of the World Youth Cup. In the quarter finals, we were pitted against West End Academy Specialists – the clue is in the name, they’re a top youth side. That the match was even, that my side only lost 2-1 and that they made it to the last 8 in the world gives a great indication as to just how far my youth side has progressed this season.