Levi Garcia is a million dollar investment who suddenly has to learn a new position

Agreed, above all and everyone in a football department (must be) is the coach and the main question is how to serve and support his tactical plan. AEK is moving in that direction this year, giving Matias Almeidas all the space to present his thoughts on the pitch, even if they sometimes clash with some prevailing opinions and established situations.

The case of Levi Garcia is one such example. An investment of 2.6 million euros two summers ago, when AEK gave this amount to collect 60% of the footballer’s rights. On the grounds, of course, that he’s getting a player who will make a difference on offense where he’s struggled throughout his career. See you this year when things change…

The 24-year-old Trinidad and Tobago winger was on the bench in the league opener against Lamia. Actually a contradiction in terms, because initially it was believed that the Argentine’s presence on the Union bench would help him break free competitively, find more spaces and become part of a tactical approach that would make him more effective compared to the first two of his season at AEK.

However, Garcia does not play a key role in the arrangement Almeida made – which he says he was perfectly happy with running after the first official game. And if it’s eventually found for him, it won’t have anything to do with those who ended up taking the offensive for the past two seasons.

To be activated significantly in Argentina’s plan, Levia will have to change his habits as he has space in three positions that he is essentially still learning.

Yes as a striker, but also for there as a “reserve”

The most difficult task is to react as the “hind half”, the role we saw in the Lamia game Nordin Amrabat. However, he failed to convince Almeida that he had the tactical acumen to trust him in the position and the coach is unlikely to change that conclusion. Unless there is a need and Amrabad, Gasinovich or Rota are not available.

Somehow we are led to the conclusion that at this stage of the season, at the beginning, Garcia is counted as a second striker or as a top striker by Almeida.

However, the manager shows a clear preference for the Mandalu-Araujo duo, which means that in order for Livai to be included in the line-up, one of the above two players will have to leave.

Difficult to happen immediately as the Argentine says he’s happy with what he saw in the premiere. The situation becomes even more complicated when AEK takes over a regional striker, with the result that Garcia is only counted as Araujo’s “backup”.

A change of formation would be beneficial for Garcia, so that he can assume his familiar role at the end of the attack in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. However, this now seems to be the alternative plan, which was not worked on at all in the preparation, even if the coach says that there is enough knowledge to operate it. Theoretically yes, practically no.

In summary, Levi has to work hard and overcome obstacles that he has never faced before in his career. Purchased with the intention of becoming a team star with great resale hopes, it is losing ground and having to adapt to new racing conditions.

Because as much as we say he’s capable up front in attack, that’s not his natural position, nor was it acquired by the team with the intention of developing into a reserve, in a role for which he is not normal him.