Song Lam Nghe An's optimal lineup for the 2023 - 2024 season

1. Goalkeeper position

In the goalkeeper position,Nguyen Van Vietwill almost certainly be in the starting position. This is understandable after very good performances in the 2023 season and in the National U23 team. However, with too little time to practice with the first team, this will be a big disadvantage for the 21-year-old goalkeeper in finding a common voice with his teammates above. Therefore, Nguyen Van Viet will have to try very hard to protect his official position.

Especially when goalkeeper Tran Van Tien has also played quite solidly in recent seasons. There were times when this goalkeeper born in 1994 was the number 1 goalkeeper of Song Lam Nghe An, not Nguyen Van Hoang or Nguyen Van Viet. In the next season, Tran Van Tien will certainly try his best to regain the official position from his junior.

The number 3 goalkeeper of the Nghe An team is the promising young goalkeeper Cao Van Binh. This is a goalkeeper with good physique and a lot of experience when being tested in youth tournaments. And in the 2023 - 2024 season, with being registered in the list of the first team of Song Lam Nghe An, Cao Van Binh is ready to learn from the experience of his seniors, thereby having new steps of development in his career.

2. Defense

Like last season, Song Lam Nghe An's main formation this season will be 5-3-2. The full-back duo will be Nguyen Trong Hoang and Mai Sy Hoang. The experience and class of veteran Trong Hoang will still be very important to the defense of the Nghe An team. Meanwhile, Mai Sy Hoang will have to improve his defensive ability compared to previous seasons to ensure a starting position. Otherwise, young defender Vuong Van Huy will be ready to take his senior's place at any time.

In the center of the defense will be the trio of Khac Luong, Mario and Tran Dinh Hoang. This will be a combination of Khac Luong's youth, Dinh Hoang's experience and the strength of foreign players. In addition, the center-back position of Song Lam Nghe An also has notable names such as Le Nguyen Hoang, Tran Nam Hai or Pham Van Thanh. Therefore, the defense of Song Lam Nghe An will still be the place that brings the most peace of mind to Nghe An fans.

3. Midfield

The role and task of the midfielders of Nghe An in the new season is quite heavy. With only 3 players in the midfield, the midfielders of Song Lam Nghe An will have to work at full capacity to ensure the team's position. Especially when the Nghe An team has to say goodbye to Pham Xuan Manh - the most stable player of Song Lam Nghe An in recent seasons.

However, the return of Dang Van Lam will help coach Phan Nhu Thuat reduce his worries about personnel in the midfield. This midfielder born in 1999 will be the one to take over the position left by Xuan Manh. The ability to intercept and distribute the ball will still be Van Lam's strong points. However, this 24-year-old midfielder needs to improve his fitness to be able to play the full 90 minutes on the field.

Along with that is the maturity of Dinh Xuan Tien in recent times. Technique, ability to handle and good finishing are the highlights of this midfielder from Nam Dan. This 20-year-old midfielder is the most prominent star in the midfield of the Nghe An team. Therefore, Dinh Xuan Tien is expected by fans to be the conductor of Song Lam Nghe An in the 2023-2024 season.

The tallest player in the midfield of the Nghe An team will be young midfielder Tran Manh Quynh. After a good performance in the second half of the 2023 season, the midfielder born in 2001 is proving to be one of the most reliable attacking midfielders at Song Lam Nghe An at the moment. Speed, technique and the ability to dribble the ball skillfully help Manh Quynh create difficulties for the opponent's defense. However, physical strength and the ability to compete for the ball one-on-one are the weaknesses of this midfielder.

In addition, 3 outstanding factors in the recent U21 tournament will also be the hopes in the midfield of the Nghe An team. They areNguyen Quang Vinh, Nguyen Van Bach and Le Van Quy. These are young players who will be given the opportunity to play by coach Phan Nhu Thuat this season. Because they are the backbone of Song Lam Nghe An in the near future. Being able to play regularly this season will help these players gain experience and be ready to replace their seniors in the following seasons.

3. Offensive line

The two strikers on the attack line of Song Lam Nghe An will be foreign players. They are Michael Olaha andJohn Cley(will be registered after completing the procedures to join Song Lam Nghe An from Hanoi Police). With this duo, Nghe An fans can fully expect a sharp attack in the new season. The dream scenario would be Olaha assisting and Jhon Cley scoring to help Song Lam Nghe An fly high.

However, with the use of 2 foreign players in the attack, the opportunities for domestic strikers will be much less. Therefore, Ngo Van Luong, Phan Xuan Dai or Ho Phuc Tinh will have to cherish the opportunities they have. This is what Ngo Van Luong or to some extent Phan Xuan Dai did in the second phase of V.League 2023. Hopefully, these domestic strikers will seize the opportunities given by the coaching staff to have more playing time this season.

Obviously, Song Lam Nghe An in the new season is a young team with many players under 23 years old. Therefore, the Nghe An team will play with passion and fire. However, the limitations in experience and competitive spirit will also be something that fans worry about. Hopefully, coach Phan Nhu Thuat will "cut his coat according to his cloth" to steer the boat.Lam River Nghe Ancompete successfully in the 2023-2024 season.