Samut Prakan City: B
The fact Samut Prakan City were able to keep their core of exciting Thai players together is often overlooked. Their new head coach, Masatada Ishii, also comes with a high reputation – great work by the club for landing such a well-respected coach. Can Pedro Junior, on his own, replace Ibson Melo’s scoring output? Probably not. But judging from the limited information we have about Samut Prakan City’s pre-season, it feels as though Ishii is trying to have the side shared the goalscoring responsibility around.
There is a good player in Ernesto Phumipha, if Ishii can unlock the wingback’s potential then this could be a massive coup for them. Similar to Thai U19 forward Matee Sarakum – potentially a decent player, currently an adequate backup. Japanese midfielder, Yuto Ono, 28, is one interesting signing – having played in Mexico between 2010-15. Last season, the Sea Fang faced a difficult period when their center-backs were injured last season; Tatsuya Sakai, signed from J2 League side Montedio Yamagata, and Nattapon Malapun, a Thai international and 2019 League Cup winner with PT Prachuap FC, will be fighting for that starting place alongside Aris Zarifović. All in all, were Samut Prakan City smart with their business – none of their signings look out of place. (Obb)
Sukhothai: A-
This transfer window was nothing short of incredible from the Firebats. After recruiting the promising Surapong Kongthep as their new boss, the side went on to sign Brazilian forwards Ibson Melo and Evandro Paulista, who together with John Baggio make one of the strongest forward lines in the league. Surapong also used his connections with former Muangthong players to pad out the squad and signed Rayong’s Peerapong Ruenin in goal. All of these moves could make Sukhothai major overperformers next season. However, the tiniest mark against them comes in failing to significantly strengthen their defense (other than Nukoolkit Krutyai from Muangthong) and not adding a creative midfielder to their ranks after being heavily linked to a move with Chappuis which fell through. Relying on their front line may not be enough to fully transition to coach Surapong Kongthep’s possession-based style, but certainly makes for an excellent bit of recruitment. (Gian)
Suphanburi: D
Credits to Suphanburi FC for getting their transfer in early – revealing 12 new players in December of 2019. Six of those are up and coming Thai youngsters except for Jirawat Thongsangphrao. The left-back had a fine season with Ratchaburi FC and is certainly an upgrade from former-Thai international, Natthaphong Samana.
There is also a Thai League return for Philippines international Patrick Reichelt and Singapore international Zulfahmi Arifin, formerly of Port FC and Chonburi FC, respectively. Suphanburi scored the fewest goals for in 2019 – to resolve the issue, they brought in Felipe Amorim from the Brazilian second tier. Teaming up with Felipe is compatriot Eliandro, a hardworking target man with a thunderous shot, who joined from the relegated Chiangmai FC. The club should’ve been relegated if it wasn’t for PTT Rayong FC folding. Still, most of their signings are not encouraging. For the entire 2019, Suphanburi looks like a side craving for inspiration in the final third and there is little to suggest Eliandro, Felipe or Reichelt is the solution. Guess we’ll have to wait and see how they play together but I’m not putting my money on it. (Obb)
Trat: C-
Trat had an encouraging first season in the Thai League, as the White Elephants impressed the league by registering a 10th place finish. However, the side have lost Thai League top scorer Lonsana Doumbouya to Chinese side Meizhou Hakka and struggled to replace him adequately. Ricardo Santos from Chainat brings a lot of excellent off-the-ball work and holdup play, but he will struggle to replace the goal output of the former Guinea international. Korean attacker Kang-Soo Il looks like an interesting addition to the side as well, but overall their foreign roster seems very front-heavy and out of balance.
The main issue is the fact they have struggled to replace many of their local contingent who were at the club on loan deals, including the creative talents of Wongsakorn Chaikultewin of Muangthong United. In defense, Filipino international Amani Aguinaldo seems a solid addition, joining the club after an unsuccessful trial at K-League side Incheon United, but he will struggle to make up for two major losses in defense, Baihakki Khaizan, and Nukoolkit Krutyai, who have joined Prachuap and Sukhothai respectively. Ultimately, while they have focused on foreign recruitment once again, the side’s local core of players seems sorely lacking and the number of departures could compound their woes of second-season syndrome. (Gian)
