Maccabi Netanya Faces Squad Concerns Despite Strong Season Start

Maccabi Netanya began their season with an impressive 4-1 victory over Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield Stadium. However, the club's supporters are expressing concern over the team's squad depth, particularly the failure to sign several foreign players who opted for other clubs due to perceived lower financial offers.

Notable players who did not join Maccabi Netanya include Sydney Lima, who chose Partizan Belgrade, David Ruiz, who moved from Inter Miami to New York, and Marian Chochea, a defender from the Romanian league who signed with Wydad Casablanca. Luthar Singh from AEL Limassol is also not expected to join the team.

Players within the club have voiced their worries, stating, "We are very short on players and need reinforcements." They added, "With all due respect to Alex Talpa, Yarin Abuhazira, and Liam Cohen, who came on against Beitar Jerusalem, it's not enough to aim high. Other teams are signing players, and we are not."

Maccabi Netanya has only signed one foreign player this season, goalkeeper Samuel Aboh. Coach Roni Levy has indicated he does not want William Ciprian or Saba Khodzhiani. Fans are directing criticism towards Max De Giulio, the professional representative of owner Roman Grynberg, who has become more involved but is struggling to finalize deals.

Looking ahead to their upcoming match against Hapoel Haifa on Monday, the coaching staff has reduced training intensity for some players. Beny Feldman, who played with an injury against Beitar Jerusalem, along with Maor Levy, Oz Bilo, and Matheus Dabo, did not participate in recent training sessions. Alon Azugi has returned to training but will not be match-fit. Gregory Morozov or Kareem Jaber are expected to start in defense, with Amit Cohen potentially shifting to left-back if captain Kareem Jaber returns to the starting lineup.