New Players in focus: Andreas Bouchalakis

Greek midfielder new to the City Ground

Andreas Bouchalakis in the Garibaldi of Nottingham Forest

The Greek central midfielder recently signed a three year deal on a free transfer from Olympiakos, which is also the parent club owed by Evangelos Marinakis. He was initially on trial, and impressed enough to be given a permanent deal after most speculation thought it would be a loan. What we know is what we have seen pretty much, as Bouchalakis didn’t start a lot of games for Olympiakos.

The 24 year old signed for Olympiakos in 2013 from Ergotelis. He returned to Ergotelis on loan from Olympiakos but only ever started 22 games for the Greek giants. He has played for all levels of the Greek national team, aside from the senior side. He only signed a new deal last year at Olympiakos, rumoured at around £4k a week, so I can’t see there being a huge shift on those wages. Nottingham Forest will be a big move for him.

What do Olympiakos fans think to his departure?
Well, not a lot. It’s not easy to find some comments. What there is understandably in Greek. and I can’t pick out too many comments from any fans commenting on the Midfielder. I have even been trying to translate an Olympiakos forum and looked through Reddit and nothing aside from them reporting the news.

The Managers View

Warburton certainly seems impressed. And also suggests that Andreas will be a squad player more than an instant first teamer.

“He is a welcome addition to the squad, providing strength in depth in midfield. He is a good technician and a good passer of the ball. He sees it and he can execute it and he has shown that in the two games he has played.”

That technical ability is something which will be vital. Vaughan has it, but his legs can’t carry into many games a week. A rotation between the two would help support the more energetic play from another central midfielder.

Warburton finally said “He has made an immediate impression and we are delighted to welcome him on board.”

Bouchalakis palying for Olympiakos

Value for Money?

Well for one it’s a free transfer, and his wages for the Championship are minimal. He isn’t like Djebbour or Abdoun, sitting in the reserves on huge wages. Even Kasami would have had big wages, so to compare him to those guys isn’t fair. He comes here with a very low profile and will be a complete unknown in the Championship. That surprise factor alone could be a huge shock, in the way Tesche was at first (and Tesche wages were huge).

In Summary

He has impressed in preseason and for a free transfer it is relatively low risk. A number of fans have expressed the view that all previous signings from Olympiakos have been underwhelming, but the difference were that those guys were established internationals coming for big wages. Bouchalakis will be relatively cheap on wages. I do get the concerns, he wasn’t exactly a first team regular and the Greek Super league isn’t the strongest League around, but as I say, it’s a low risk deal. 3 year deal is meaningless, and as for people complaining its costing us it’s the same bloke ultimately paying his wages.

If he blooms it’s a great success. Otherwise Marinakis can move players around again for free transfers. There is clearly a desire for some Greek players to come over, but we aren’t forking out huge wages, and there’s no suggestion that Marinakis would demand that they play in the team.

Bouchalakis has a lot to prove that he isn’t a token signing by Marinakis. But so far he seems to be switched on and eager to impress.