Marko Saranlinna wants to bring younger foreign players to the Veikkausliiga

Marko Saranlinna assists Veikkausliiga clubs in recruiting African players. SIIRI STRAW

In August 2021, the average age of foreigners playing a major role in the Veikkausliiga was 29.9 years. In terms of club business, the reading is alarmingly high.

– There is no chance for thirty players to resell unless there is a very exceptional European success for an individual player, Marko Saranlinna says.

Players sold out of the Veikkausliiga are mainly under 23 years of age. In the optimal situation, about half of foreigners would fall into this category.

Both the teams chasing the success and the bundles fighting for the series place will of course also need ready-made players, but the problem is the guys in the middle model. There are too many of them.

– Foreigners should have roughly two categories: clear stars and talented young people. Then you could afford to get better stars because young people are cheaper than the average crowd, Saranlinna says.

About a hundred foreigners will play in the Veikkausliiga this season. They make up a third of the player’s mass of the series, but foreigners spend about half of the player’s budget, according to Saranlinna’s estimates.

Wake up, medium!

In addition to better resale value, young promises are often more motivated and coachable players than more experienced gentlemen.

In financial terms, clubs fighting especially in the middle caste should invest in young and promising foreign players instead of hiring ready-made and expensive players.

– Whether it is fourth or eighth in the Veikkausliiga has virtually no financial significance, Saranlinna reminds.

Malta

A successful recruitment process requires perseverance from clubs, because, for example, an 18-year-old African promises not to be a willing player when he arrives in Finland.

– After the player arrives, the success of the process requires three things from the club: integration support so that everyday life begins to spin, the commitment of coaching to the development of the player as an individual, and time, Saranlinna lists.

By far the most important factor is time. In addition to super-qualities, African players usually have one or two striking areas of development that need to be developed before a player can excel in the Veikkausliiga.

– Veikkausliiga is a tough and tactical series. There is no realism that an 18-year-old alley bred walks straight into an important player, no matter how good the superpower.

In Sweden, clubs that have succeeded in African recruitment will monitor progress for about six months before making a final decision on player engagement.

According to Saranlinna, 3-4 months may be enough, but it is useless to talk about weeks.

– If the club or coaching is not ready to invest enough time, it is useless to leave.

The Veikkausliiga starts on 2.4.