Emenike's Arrival at Fernabache: Who Gets the boots?

Given the Turkish Football League rule which restrict clubs from signing more than ten(10) non-Turkish players (with only six of them allowed in the team for a match), the imminent arrival of Nigerian International striker Emmanuel Emenike at Fernabache could mean the end of one of the foreign players at the club as presently the club have Ten of such players in their fold. The list includes:

1. Joseph Yobo -             Nigeria
2. Michal Kadlec -           Czech Republic
3. Bruno Alves -               Portugal
4. Samuel Holmen -          Sweden
5. Milos Krasic -              Serbia
6. Christain Baroni -         Brazil
7. Raul Meireles -            Portugal
8. Pierre Webo -             Cameroon
9. Dirk Kuyt -                 Holland
10. Moussa Sow -          Senegal

From the above list, the defenders Kadlec (from Bayern Leverkusen) , Bruno Alves (from Shakter Donetsk) and Swedish midfielder Samuel Holmen (from Istanbul BB) could be exempted from the list of players likely to be axed as they only joined the club this close season. So that leaves the sacrificial player to be one of the remaining seven. So who is safe among this lots?

Of the last seven, Raul Meireles, Cristian Baroni, Dirk Kuyt and Moussa Sow all appear to be safe.
Raul Meireles is enjoying his football again after his nightmarish experience at Chelsea. He was a super regular last season and chipped in with some spectacular goals. Ditto the tireless Kuyt whose versatility upfront makes him a very important member of the team. Baroni adds the Brazilian flavour while Moussa Sow merits his place due to his goals last season. He was the club's top scorer last season with 16goals from 31 matches. This leaves only Yobo, Krasic and Webo as the likely man.

Nigerian National team skipper Joseph Yobo's position looked to be in danger when Fernabache brought Bruno Alves from Shaktar. Watching their partnership in the Champion's League match on Tuesday against Austrian side Salzburg however restored some hopes that Alves could have been bought to add steel, experience and number to the back-line. Presently the club have only eight (8) defenders (these two players inclusive) in the team which is about the right size. A defender less could be risky as that's the area in a team most prone to cards and suspensions. Joseph Yobo who featured 20 times last season scoring no goals, brings stability and experience to the team albeit, he's lost a bit of his pace to age. The defender is 32.

Milos Krasic. He came with a big reputation. Bought from Juventus where he spent two easily forgettable seasons, the Serbian winger (Right-sided midfielder, if you like)  played only 13 games last season with 6 of them as substitute and scoring no goal . He has been a big disappointment since he moved to Fernabache as he appeared to have played his best football for CSKA Moscow despite being only 28 years of age. The odds are stacked against him getting the chop as he operates in a midfield department where Ferna boasts most players. The team have about 12 players in that area, which could play a key role in where to save or chop.

Pierre Webo has been a useful figure in the team. He boasts of an impressive seven (7) goals from only thirteen(13) appearances last season. Although no longer a spring chicken at 31, he is nevertheless a useful squad player who has always delivered when called upon. He has good understanding on the pitch with Moussa Sow, as once again highlighted in the Champion's League match against Salsburg.
With only Kuyt, Sow, Senturk and Emenike to contend with, Webo's place could also be seen as safe especially when one considers the number of games to be played in the season... League, European and Local Cup games etc. This is where Webo could come very handy to relieve the main strikers in some of the less glamorous games or Cup matches.

From all indications really, Krasic seems the least important of the three players (as viewed by writer), the manager however has the final say in who to send packing. But one fact remains, someone has to go. Not a big deal you'd say afterall, players moving in and out of clubs is on e constant feature of the game.