Maccabi Netanya Faces Squad Concerns Despite Strong Season Start

Maccabi Netanya, despite an impressive 4-1 victory over Beitar Jerusalem to open the season, is experiencing significant unease among its fans due to a lack of squad depth and difficulties in player acquisitions. Three foreign players, including Sydney Lima (who opted for Partizan Belgrade), David Ruiz (who moved to Inter Miami), and Marian Chochea (who joined Casablanca), reportedly chose other clubs over Netanya due to lower financial offers. Lother Singu from AEL Limassol is also not expected to join the team. Players within the club expressed concern, stating, "We are very short on the roster and need reinforcements." They added that the current available players are "not enough to aim high" and noted that other teams are signing players while Netanya is not.

The team has only signed one foreign player this season, goalkeeper Samuel Dabo. Coach Roni Levi has also indicated he does not want William Cyprian or Saba Khodzhiani. Fans are reportedly directing blame towards the professional representative of owner Ross Kasten, Max De Giolio, who is said to be more involved but struggling to finalize deals.

Ahead of their upcoming match against Hapoel Haifa, the coaching staff has reduced training intensity. Ben Feldman, who played with an injury against Beitar Jerusalem, did not participate in recent training sessions, along with Maor Levi, Oz Bilu, and Matheus Dabo. Alon Azugi has returned to training but will not be fit for the next game. Gregory Morozov or Karam Jaber are expected to start, with Amit Cohen potentially shifting to left-back if the captain returns to the lineup.