January might still be a little way off, but that has never stopped us having a look at players who could interest Lincoln City.
This time, I’ve picked out seven overseas options, ranging from a teenage midfielder in Portugal to an attacking player we have already discussed on these pages. We have looked at Slovenia before, but there is no reason to restrict ourselves to one country. Portugal, Latvia, Poland, Germany and North Macedonia all feature here, with a mixture of players who could develop into something bigger and others who already have a decent amount of senior football behind them.
The ESC route is part of that conversation, allowing clubs to recruit eligible overseas players who fall short of the usual Governing Body Endorsement requirements. However, not everyone on this list would need, or qualify for, an ESC place, and that is worth bearing in mind when looking at the different options.
I’m interested in what each might offer us, rather than simply finding seven young players with nice numbers. Physical attributes, experience, potential resale value and the likelihood of actually getting a deal done all come into it, although this is my shortlist rather than a suggestion that the club are pursuing any of them.
Santiago Serra – DM – Estrela da Amadora
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A left-footed defensive midfielder, 6ft 1in tall, playing senior football in Portugal at 19? There is enough there to get my attention before we even start looking at what Santiago Serra does with the ball.
Actually, much of the appeal is what he does without it. His contribution is largely about regaining possession and finding a teammate, giving others the platform to do the more creative work. That isn’t a criticism, because there is absolutely a place for that type of midfielder.
Serra appears composed for his age, and his athletic frame offers scope to become more physically imposing, although he would need to move the ball more quickly at times. There is also development required in his forward passing and willingness to carry possession, rather than expecting him to arrive as a complete midfielder.
The practical side is interesting, too. I would see him as a player to develop alongside our existing midfield options, with the possibility of growing into a much bigger role.
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