Almería's Striker Search as Soko Jets Off to AFCON
UD Almería face a mid-season headache with Patrick Soko called up for Cameroon's AFCON campaign, forcing the club to dip into the January transfer market for a new striker.
Almería’s Striker Search as Soko Jets Off to AFCON
The Segunda División side find themselves short up front as Patrick Soko departs for the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving manager Rubi scrambling for attacking reinforcements in the January window.
AFCON Disruption
It’s that time again when African internationals get whisked away mid-season, leaving their clubs in the lurch. Almería knew the score when they signed Soko, much like they did with Umar Sadiq previously, weighing up the risk of potential international call-ups against the player’s quality.
Cameroon’s AFCON campaign kicks off on December 21st and could run until January 18th if they reach the final, meaning Soko could miss up to four crucial fixtures for Almería:
- Málaga (December 21st)
- Granada (January 3rd) - though he might make this one if Cameroon exit at the group stage
- Mirandés (away)
- Deportivo (home)
This disruption is precisely what LaLiga president Javier Tebas referred to when he said clubs need to consider international commitments when making signings. Bit rich coming from him, if you ask me, as these tournaments give African players their chance to shine on the big stage.
Striker Shopping
The club hasn’t been caught with their trousers down, thankfully. They’ve publicly confirmed they’re in the market for a new number nine to complement Thalys and Soko in the squad. The brass at Almería are hoping to get someone through the door sharpish to cover during Soko’s absence.
When quizzed about what type of striker he’s after, gaffer Rubi made it crystal clear he’s not interested in any long-term projects or gambles:
“We need players who can deliver from day one, not ones we need to develop.”
The manager expressed a preference for Spanish talent, though acknowledged that finding the right domestic option won’t be a piece of cake.
What Next?
With the transfer window opening soon, Almería will need to move quickly. The Segunda División promotion race waits for no one, and dropping points during Soko’s absence could be costly in their push to return to the top flight.
One thing’s certain - the club needs a striker who can hit the ground running, not another diamond in the rough. In the dog-eat-dog world of Spanish second-tier football, immediate impact is what counts.