It is done. Year no. 100 from Rapid Bucharest’s history comes to an end with a big celebration, on 25th of June. First, though, let’s switch our attention to the competitional season that has just ended. A 5th spot in the table that looks acceptable, but in reality it is not the case, not only because of the weight of the season itself, but because of the weight that the entire history of Rapid has. True, but on the other hand, Rapid Bucharest never had this kind of finish in the last 10 years! The best result before this 5th position is claimed the fourth spot from 2011/2012 season. Eleven years, actually, so, at the end, the performance should be considered a starting point for what we hope to come. What exactly? Don’t really know… But since Rapid spent a lot of time during the season that was just closed, on third position, this contributes to my idea that with a good strategy Rapid Bucharest can fight for its crown next season. Not only for a spot on the top three, but for the championship itself. And I am pretty sure that will happen. What are the steps needed to be followed for this, in order to challenge greatness again? Let me start, then.
People to be kept
Adrian Mutu – I’ve challenged his position when he was brought in, because he had essentially zero relevant experience as a coach to be given a club like Rapid to lead. In the end, overall, Mutu seems to be a good choice. Not only he is decent as a manager, but his figure in Romanian football fills any gap of experience for the time being, not to mention his charisma. Even though the results were not great, I wouldn’t change the manager for at least one more season. Because I believe the key to start and go thru with a solid project is to have continuity, consistency and change were you need to, not were it is easier.
Cristian Săpunaru – already extended his contract with one more year and the captain will be playing at least until 40 years old. Some criticize his form, which might be true at some matches, because it is hard to keep the pace at this age, but from my opinion the overall performance of Rapid Bucharest after the promotion has a back bone in Cristi, because he knew how to manage the team on the filed and he compensated strongly with high experience any physical lacks and, in the end, he proved to be, maybe, one of the key players, even you cannot build something strong alongside him on the field, because of his age. However, for next season he remains a bedrock.
Horațiu Moldovan – if there is any other football player from Rapid Bucharest, able to challenge Cristi Săpunaru’s position as no. 1, that is the goalkeeper. Like Cristi, he was criticized sometimes, because of a couple of mistakes he made and because of which goals were conceded, but overall, Moldovan is, by far, the best goalkeeper in the Romanian league and a great news is that he extended also his contract until the end of 2024/2025 so if he remains healthy, Rapid has a huge advantage between the posts for at least two more years, maybe even more.
Mario Dugandzic – when you become top goals scorer of the championship, first in 57 years for Rapid (!!!), with 22 goals, you can absolutely not be ignored. Duga is a key player for next season, in which we expect him to play better. Wait, what? Actually yes, it is not a mistake. This is because 12 out of hiss 22 goals were scored from the penalty kick. It is good, of course, but his potential is to score more goals from the open play and we need him to do that, because in this way you can challenge easier a better finish and, in the end, why not, the league championship.
Răzvan Onea – the right back proved to be instrumental and given his young age, he is for sure a player around which you can consolidate a lasting defense in the next years. Onea is not a huge figure, but he has what he needs to continue many years at Rapid. He is one of the “creations” of Adi Mutu and alongside Moldovan especially can be a key component for at least 2-3 more years.
Junior Morais – another one year of contract at almost 37 years old completely justifies considering the consistency of the Brazilian left back. He didn’t have any real rival on his position and always played top, in spite his age. The decision to renew his contract looks very wise, but we need to be aware that he is not a long term solution, unfortunately, and because of this, the board needs to seek sustainable solutions starting summer 2024 or even earlier.
Paul Iacob – what he brought on the table was rather thin, for a club like Rapid, a big reason for which he could not sideline Dragoș Grigore, but I consider that he should be kept and forced into the first team next season so to see, for at least half a season if he is suitable for a long term commitment in building a strong competitive club. Maybe a chance for each party to prove if the move is worthy or not.
Cristi Ignat – the 20 years youngster from Rapid’s junior system should be granted more matches, and, like in the case of Iacob he should be strongly tested this season to assess if he is a good bet for the future. Of course, he needs to get much more chances, as he is very young, but after a couple of months everybody will realize if Ignat is a player to rely on or not for the next years to come, when Rapid must become a strong side.
Mattias Käit – if I would to start with somebody from the middle of the pitch, then the Estonian is for sure no. 1. He proved for two seasons that his place is in the starting line up and even if his performance dropped a bit in the second half of the recently ended championship, Mattias should remain for many years at the club so for Rapid to build a strong midfield around him.
Ștefan Pănoiu – in my opinion, he reached his full potential so this is not very encouraging, since he’s only 20 years old, but exactly because he is only 20 years old might grant him also a slight advantage that he will push his mind to realize he can achieve more for Rapid. He didn’t play bad, but for sure under the expectations of everybody. However, there still remains some room for improvement and I hope he will prove this!
Jayson Papeau – one of my favorites! And, to be honest, I think the guy is the most skillful player in the Romanian league. However, his problems with injuries dragged him back a lot and impacted heavily his lack of strong performance. I am confident that an injury-free season will help him become a football icon and provide maybe tons of greatness for Rapid. He is also quite young and if he is relieved of the medical problems, I see him as a bedrock for a couple of seasons. Maybe better than Filipe Teixeira, for example.
Funsho Bamgboye – a good transfer and a player that seem to be very reliant. He has a lot of stamina and good skills, the only slight problem is that he has some trouble in finding the last pass or the proper ending of an attacking action. Still, this doesn’t impact the overall impression and I see him as a great option for many years to come.
Xian Emmers – he came in with a huge image and his impact was quite immediate. However, we can agree that his performance dropped significantly later on. Being only 23 years old, though, and being from Belgium, not a Romanian (sorry, but this is the truth…) provides him the needed reasons to stay and give us the hopes, for at least one more season, that he can do better and help Rapid achieve much more. When you are schooled at Inter Milano, you should have something special!
Hervis Ongenda – more of a big disappointment, indeed, but if I would choose one player from the ones who heavily disappointed last season, that would be him. I mean playing for PSG is a great CV and this shows that he has things to offer. Maybe it is just an illusion, agree, but if you don’t try to exploit his talent for at least six more months, then you should not brought him in from the first place in the winter break.
Virgil Drăghia – last, but not least, I want to include him here also as he already extended the contract until 2024. Even though he didn’t proved to be the greatest goalkeeper and not even the best version that he could become, Drăghia remains, at 34 years, an option to fill a potential short gap left by Moldovan. He has a lot of experience and accepted his status as back-up keeper which, honestly speaking, very few do. Not to mention that from this very few a lot are not at his level.
Where Rapid needs to make some cleaning
Here it will be a bit debatable and I will split the list in two. Actually, it will be a short description of some players that could / could not be kept – if you ask me, for full efficiency, they must not be kept – however, it is possible to don’t get better option on the short term so their keeping could become mandatory. Who are they?
Antonio Sefer – he leaves the impression that he can grow anymore and, in spite being only 23 years old, this is my main concern. He proved his worthiness in some game, he was the second scorer of the team, but in recent months he was almost invisible. What I will be doing here, since he has a contract until 2025, is to seek a reasonable selling offer so for both parties to be on the winning side. Not so sure if one will turn up so Sefer might remain.
Alexandru Albu – another player that is more likely to remain then not to, he is at the edge on the topic, but his overall performance significantly lowered and being 29 doesn’t help too much. I won’t grant him more than six months to prove he can push harder than to maybe help the team to qualify for the playoff. Because for this type of player six months should be more than enough.
Dragoș Grigore – honestly speaking, I hope to not be extended by the club. At nearly 37 years old he makes more and more mistakes and having already Săpunaru and Morais at 39 and 37 respectively is more than enough for a defense that needs to be flexible and efficient. Iacob and Ignat might be a solution short term at least, but Grigore is not an option for a long term project, this is 100%.
Claudiu Belu – my impression is that this player was very underestimated in the recent season. While I agree he cannot substitute Onea for the moment, the general opinion is that he can be useful for Rapid still. I would keep him in the squad, but since Mutu doesn’t look to like him so much, I think it is only a matter of time until he depart, even though this option doesn’t look to be the wisest.
Alexandru Ioniță II – at nearly 29 years, Alex doesn’t seem to have too many things to put on the table… Unfortunately, despite receiving several opportunities, I don’t think he is a significant option for Rapid anymore. It is a sad commentary I make, as I would love to see Alex perform wonderful under Rapid’s jersey, the club which breed him and which he loves, but I just don’t see how Ioniță can contribute to the rise of a strong Rapid.
They need to go!
14 names that need to be kept and five that might remain, apart from these, there is no debate, the rest of players need to depart, if Rapid want to perform. Crepulja already hit the road, as he was not a player for the top performance, but his departure is not enough. From the ones who played some games, the list looks like this:
- Florin Ștefan
- Andrei Ciobanu
- Valentin Costache
- Kevin Lukassen
These four were huge disappointments and need to depart ways with Rapid asap and my bet is that this would happen. Alongside Grigore and Belu. Let us see if I am right. The ones who will not depart have very slim chances to ever play for Rapid, or to play like Belu or Dussaut. But what about the incoming players? For the time being, there are only two on board and I agree with only one move and below you will learn why.
Omar El Sawy – a very talented youngster from Miercurea Ciuc was brought a board. I am not sure about his potential, but being only 19 years old is a big hope. Truth being said, his performance and numbers refer only to U19 and second division, which is very thin, but hopes are there, since he didn’t play for fcsb, Viitorul, Craiova, CFR or other profound rotten football clubs.
Răzvan Oaidă – after being released by fcsb, where he spent some years with zero results, he was brought in as a key player, apparently. A fact I cannot agree, since he has 25 years already and no accomplishments. I hope to be wrong and for him to provide a lot of quality for Rapid. However, my general impression is that after a single season he will prove to be a complete fail. Let us wait and see.
Photo: FC Rapid 1923 Facebook