Academy Task #5: Class of S26 - A look ahead

[Definia]

Academy Task #5: Class of S26 - A look ahead.

Draft recruitment has begun for Season 26 of the SSL and in just over 48 hours there has been 28 signed up so far with more joining every hour! This is a very early look ahead of the upcoming Academy Season 25 and a look at who could be the top prospects come the end of the season when the final draft will take place and the 12 Major and Minor teams will be looking to sign who they fell will bolster their squads for S26.

Today I'm going to deep dive into each area of the field and pick out who I think has been the most active and improved players so far!. Yes, it's been under 48 hours as previously stated, and there will no doubt be more players signing up so I will be looking to do a mock final draft towards the end of the season to see who I think will be the top picks for the top teams, so do stay tuned for that.

Class of S26 so far seems to be a class of rather selfless players with hopes of controlling the game through possession and desire to dictate the tempo of the game through the back to the front of the field as there is staggeringly only a single natural striker in the academy so far. We have 4 GKs, 12 Defenders, 11 Midfielders so far. 

Here are, in my opinion, the ones to watch in each area:

GK - Between the sticks I have narrowed down to 2 keepers to keep an eye on.

Eric Duic - 280 TPE - He has displayed great handling and great reflex saves to ensure that when he is shot stopping, he isn't allowing a second chance on the rebound.
Tony Roberts - 280 TPE - He has shown cat like agilty and reflexes, pulling out saves from angles where you would be dead certain a goal was the result of some of the shots coming his way.

Defenders - Along the backline I have selected 4 players from left to right i believe are ones to watch

Christopher Bergmann 287 TPE - RWB - Loves to hug the line, quick without the ball, can fulfil defensive duties with tight marking and not shy to tackle
Peter Castellani 280 TPE - CD - Likes to dictate the tempo of attacks with decent positioning, passing and composure, he will decide whether it will be in the teams interest to slow down or quick releases a counter press
Jimothy Erickson 287 TPE - LD - Speed demon with high acceleration, pace and agility, shows good dribbling and crossing. He likes to bring ball at his feet out of defence and swing in early crosses. Enjoys being more offensive
Joshua Homme III Esquire 287 TPE - LWB - Loves to run with the ball with good dribbling and strength but will opt for simple passes to ensure possession isn't lost

Midfielders - There's a plethora of choice for the midfield with all players being able to play in a variety of positions from the center to out wide. Here are the 4 I think stand out the most

Star Scream 287 TPE - CM - Likes to dictate the tempo of the game, can opt to move wide into the channels, seems be a jack of all trades type player although his mental attributes do outweigh the technical
Baptiste Azzola 286 TPE - CM -  Likes to dictate the tempo of the game, enjoys playing in triangles with one-twos, shows decent passing, positioning, composure and first touch.
Barry McGlynn 287 TPE - CAM - Fast and strong on the ball, always looking for the killer final ball and not afraid to shoot from distance, wants to play off the striker, decent dribbling and technical skills with good decision making and anticipation on and off the ball
Reece Munro 285 TPE - CM - Deep lying playmaker dictating tempo and playing killer final balls with great passing stats, good mental attributes smart player on and off the ball and will work hard all game

Strikers - Well so far not exactly spoiled for choice

Nacho Kusora 250 TPE - ST - Likes to play one-twos to make his way past defenders, enjoys playing with his back to goal to try and bring his teammates into play in the final third, decent finishing and good in the air

Those are my ones to watch so far for the upcoming academy class of S26. Of course not to discredit any of the great talents not mentioned, these are simply the players I've observed to have stood out in training, improved in a short span of time and not afraid to put themselves out there around the academy performing several tasks available to them.

Now of course these players have yet to even be assigned to an academy team and I'm sure the players have possibly already picked out there ideal club they believe will help them develop and realise their true potential on time for the draft pick at the end of the season, but I have went and had a look at the last three SSL Prospect Drafts and just from the top 3 picks of these drafts, it can be seen that Victoria Falls Eagles have had prospects be the first pick for the last two consecutive drafts(S25/S24) and also a player be second pick in S24. So they could possibly have the top prospect again in their ranks this season for three seasons on the bounce.
I can also see that Stockholm IK have pipped VFE for most top 3 picks as for the last three drafts they have had a player be the 3rd best pick and in S23 had a player be the top pick. So they are also a good club to develop young talent!

Thank you for reading through this analysis and look ahead so far for the Academt Draft class of S26 and please join towards the end of the season for our mock draft to see who has been the top performing players and could be the best top picks for the top teams!