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+---- Thread: Academy Task 5: Stockholm IK Academy, class of '26 (/showthread.php?tid=9295)
Academy Task 5: Stockholm IK Academy, class of '26 - TescoValueThor - 2026-04-08
I thought I'd take a look at the Stockholm Academy Class of '26, and how I see the team shaping up at this early stage based on the academy grads' skillsets.
Goalkeeper
Going back to front, we'll start with Moew enBach in goal. The young Pole models his game on Manuel Neuer, so we can expect some virtuoso sweeper-keeping this season, assuming Stockholm go with the expected high line and possession game.
enBach boasts excellent reflexes and aerial command for a lad his age, and a strong grasp of the rudiments involved in what's generally regarded as a difficult, high-risk role. Viewed as a young leader with captaincy credentials, I'm sure enBach is up to the task.
Defenders
At the back this year, SIK's academy boasts a strong triumvirate of defensive talents: Martin Krpan, Jack Pow and Geronimo Datbasted.
Krpan is a veritable brick sh*thouse of a Slovenian destroyer at the back. His idol is Maldini but I see more Materazzi in this young stopper. Krpan is physical, tough, aggressive and excellent at the key defensive skills - strong in the air and winning the ball on the ground.
Pow is something of a flier at right wingback, with useful versatility enabling him to play on the right wing or even at left wing back in a pinch. He boasts excellent raw speed and balance when running at pace, as well as having everything you'd want in an attacking full back. Expect a lot of running from this youngster, who - somewhat strangely - says he models his game on Belgian forward Dries Mertens, despite playing at the other end of the pitch.
Datbasted is a more unusual case. He's clearly grown up idolising new Man City star Nico O'Reilly, and models his game similarly. He stands at well over 6ft tall and ostensibly lines up as a left back, but he aims to move infield on the ball, pushing into the midfield channels and beyond. Something of an all-rounder in terms of skillset, expect to see him develop his physical and technical game to adapt to a complex, hybrid inverted role.
Midfielders
Strong technicals are the name of the game for SIK's Class of '26. We have Baptiste Azzola and Rich Wynne looking to make their mark this season.
Azzola is one to watch - a classy, technical midfielder in the Frenkie de Jong mould, he likes to get ball to feet as much as possible and run the show. Expect to see him ranking highly among the passing stats, but don't overlook his excellent balance and strength. Early questions may be raised about his mental strength across the board - he's not renowned for being the bravest and his concentration has been known to drift - but with raw ability like his, only a fool would doubt him.
Wynne looks a similarly exciting talent. Something of a blast from the past - a left-footed left-winger - Wynne can also fill in as a wing back on either side. He's understood to be the quickest of SIK's latest youth intake, and he uses his pace to great effect, taking opponents on as much as possible and darting in from the flanks to get into goalscoring positions. With work on his end product, great things may come from the young Englishman.
Forwards
Just the one striker on SIK's academy books this season: Dennis van Huntelrooy. Some might say he has a lot to live up to with a name like that, but this Dutch unit backs himself to fill those big clogs. He's a real throwback of a classic No.9 - big, strong, physical and direct. There's something refreshingly straightforward about his "big man up top" playstyle in this day and age. Assuming SIK's wide men can feed the Hunter, then most would back him to score, and score big.
It's an exciting crop this year for sure - we're all hugely excited to see how they get on in their fledgling season.