9. Wheelin' 'n' Dealin'




It's early pre-season and the opening of the transfer window is a few weeks away on 9th December. Things are a bit topsy turvy when the season is March to October. Since the day after the final league game against Kampong Cham, my thoughts have been solely on how I am going to improve the squad for next season. 

My First Signing

It was bonfire night, 5th November during the day and the players were training with our team of coaches outside, while I was in my office mulling over some scout reports for some potential signings and thinking about the fireworks, hot dogs and jacket potatoes that would be part of the festivities back home. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and my Assistant manager Nen Borey came in.

'Boss we've had a player come to training ground. He says he wants to play for us?' Do you know anything about this?

'No, we have not offered any trials yet' Is he any good?

'Well we don't know yet boss, he's just come asking to train with us.' Says he was released from his contract at Boeung Ket and wants to come and play for EDC."

"Lets have a look at him. In fact, Nen, I'll come outside and have a look at him, if you can set up a practice match with the lads. 

"Yes certainly boss, my Judging Player Ability Rating of 1 is not what is required right now."

" Haha, indeed. What's his name?" I enquired.

"Um"

"OK you didn't think to ask his name?"

"Yes boss, that is his name, "Um", Um Channou to be precise, he's a goalkeeper.

"A goalkeeper eh, well that so happens to be top of Santa's wishlist this Christmas Transfer window Nen, This could be an early Christmas present!" I replied optimistically.

During the practice match, Um Channou turned out to be a pretty decent keeper and after having conversations with the rest of my coaching staff we decided to sign him on the spot.

"How much do you want to play for us Um?"

"I play for the love of football, of saving the ball and winning!"

While the Yorkshireman in me wanted to sign him as an amateur player and have myself a free goalkeeper, EDC are a semi-professional club and every other player at the club, from senior players like Sok Chanraksmey down to the 15 year old newgen kids in the Under 21s are paid a wage, even if it is just an appearance fee. To allow Channou to play for free seemed wrong.

"I tell you what, I'll give you £5 for every game you play and if you don't let any goals in, I'll give you a further £2."

"Um looked at me gratefully. Thankyou boss, I won't let you down!"

"Um, just one more thing," I smiled warmly. "Can you wire a plug?"



Start of The Transfer Window

The surprise signing of Um Channou meant at least when the transfer window did open on 9th December we had at least solved the goalkeeping situation and could concentrate our resources on recruiting players for other areas of the squad. Armed with a transfer budget of £1.5K and a mighty wage budget of £750, we set to work. Top of the priority list for me (and Mrs Theara) was a new right back, followed by a Central Defender and a left winger. After numerous scouting meetings, pouring over many scout reports on players I'd never heard of from all over Cambodia, we made the following new signings for EDC.

Ins 

Roeum Channroeum – DR £350 from National Defence

     A highly rated right back with one cap for Cambodia . It fills a problem position for us last season and at 21 years old there’s room for improvement too.

      Sorn Sophina –DC £200 from CMAC United

An experienced defender with pace to help tighten up our leaky defence.

Keo Udom – FC £375 from CMAC United

A pacy striker with an eye for goal. A slight risk in that he comes from a Division 2 side CMAC where he only scored 4 goals in 17 appearances. Finishing 8, Dribbling 11, Pace 13 We'll see how he does!

Math Fasal AML/R - £300 from National Police 

A real coup for the club a good winger that can play on the left or right and swap flanks with Veasna every now and again. Crossing 9, Dribbling 9, Pace 10

     Yun Raksa- DC On loan from Phnom Penh Crown

     A backup defender/defensive who has  decent attributes including Tackling 10 and Work Rate 12

      Sann Suhana- MC/AMC Free Transfer  

     A promising midfielder who can pass the ball well. One for the future and maybe the present. Needs more pace. Passing 11 Vision 12, First Touch 10

     Sung Rot MC/AMC/FC £375 from National Police

This is a great capture for the club. A pacy attacking mid/FC who can create and score goals. Just what we need!

Leng Sophaon - DL - Free Transfer from Khemara

A bargain signing for this backup left back. He only wanted a £5 appearance fee. In fact I’ll pay him out of my own pocket and even buy him a beer after the game! 

Khek Khemarin  DC Free Transfer From National Defence

A quality centre back signed for nothing from National Defence. An ideal partner for Daravon and the final piece in the jigsaw for this season.

Outs

Sam Channerouen Free Transfer to Kampot

I’ve sold my backup keeper Sam Channroeun to Kampot of the Cambodian Second Division Group B. His stats weren’t great and I’ve signed Um Channou as the No1, with the talented Kong Rafat as a Number 2. I wanted to give this 28 year old a chance at another team in the lower league as he would have been 3rd choice here.

Sok Sengdara on loan to Wat Phnom until end of season

This experience midfielder had a decent start under Rudd's tenure but fell out of favour and so I've loaned him out to get some first team football.

Chan Dara to Phuchung Neak - £0

I’ve sold our 34 yr old full back. He didn’t play that well last season and is not getting any younger. I felt it was time to offload him to see out his days in the Cambodian 2nd division.

Choun Chum Free Transfer to Build Bright United

Experienced striker Choun Chum leaves the club. Still a decent player but with Rotha, Chanramsky and Udom standing in his way, plus some promising young strikers in the reserves, he is not in my future plans. 

Hem Chetra Free Transfer to Kampot

My fringe winger, Hem Chetra has joined Second League outfit, Kampot on a free transfer. He would have had limited opportunities this season with the signing of Fasal and the presense of Veasna and Suray in his position, so I wish him well at his new club.

Hey Big Spenders!


EDC have spent the most money in the transfer window out of all the C-League teams.. wait for it.. a whopping £1.6K! A grand and a half goes a long way in Cambodia! 

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in France, Bernardo Silva has just completed a £128m deal from Man City to PSG.. I may as well be on a different planet!

Next time: Pre-Season for the 2021 Campaign: How will the new boys settle in and what are our chances of C-League glory?

Click below for the next part of The Ultimate World Football Manager Game - C-League 2 Pre-Season 


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