It's good that they managed to renew Varela & I think that it's a good idea to renew Shakhov as well. He's not a player that we want primarily to play in European Championships, but in the hard-fought games in Greek farm pitches where we have had 2 of our best players hurt last season (Wernbloom, Vieirinha) & where many top players have no interest to play with heart (look at how Jaba has played with 'smaller' teams in Greece). What's also important with Shakhov, except that he's a strong player, is what everyone in the team says about him: he's very professional, an excellent role player. So we want Shakhov as a role player & 2 top players as starters (1 central & 1 athletic defensive midfielder) for European Championships. We've only 1 central midfielder at the moment that is signed & we can rely on, Misic, the rest are long-term injured or just returned from that which is a big risk.
What I'm worried about is the money given to Varela & Shakhov, which I hope the Khacheridi case is a good lesson to not be repeated, & how Ingasson will enter the rotation in the defense. Remember, he's the largest transfer PAOK has made, at least as a defensive player.
I'm also extremely frustrated that they've reinstated the fucking playoffs