Stefan Bienkowski

Area Manager for @Transfermarkt UK & COM. 📻@Gegenpress_Pod.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

New Bundesliga transfer show with @DanielWighton:

• Bayern shut up shop for the summer
• Stuttgart sign ⁠⁠Leo Sauer
• Leverkusen sell Alajbegovic
• Dortmund sign Karetsas

https://t.co/KJLOHL0vfX

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

It shows how much society's relationship with Silicon Valley has changed in the last 10+ years that Jeff Bezos buying into Liverpool would have been celebrated in 2016 but is probably now met with an eye roll and a deep sigh in 2026.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

Excellent article.

[Herald Sport @HeraldSportScot]

🗣️ "If history shows anything, it’s that clubs fared best in Europe when they produced – and fielded – their own players."

@mcgowan_stephen on improving the Scottish game, both at home and overseas.

🔗https://t.co/ebNAAFw5wD

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

Spread the word:

https://t.co/ykIRgrvv3E

[Transfermarkt English @TMuk_news]

AC Milan have an exciting 18-year-old midfielder who could be starring alongside Luka Modric this season 🔴⚫️

@SBienkowski is joined by @MSoyke on this week's Market Values podcast to discuss the fantastic potential of Christian Comotto 👀

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

FIFA: Let’s ruin football and destroy the world.

World: Please don’t.

FIFA: What is this concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine FIFA and its President?!?

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

I’ve gone full circle on the Bruno Guimarães transfer. Thought it was oddly excessive, now reckon it’s a smart move to support Rice/replace Zubimendi.

If Man City or Chelsea had paid that for him, nobody would have given it much thought. Which shows what Arsenal are up against.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@SPFLWatch 🤷‍♂️

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

I don’t have any stats to back this up, but my general feeling right now is that Scottish football is probably worse than it ever has been in my entire life.

Nobody is expecting Scottish clubs to be challenging for European titles, but it’s just consistently and utterly woeful.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@cochap True

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@CMacIver11 I’d say Motherwell are probably the exception to the rule at this moment. Asking prices are rising at Hibs, Aberdeen, etc but still miles behind where they should be. And most clubs still struggling to develop players to sell.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@KlezmerRouge @rosscolquhoun Perhaps. But the reason Belgium, Sweden, etc are pulling away from us (or long gone) isn’t because of a few extra million in TV revenue. It’s a complete red herring, in my opinion.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@ThatBoiRico But I’m not talking about enjoyment. It’s two different conversations.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

That’s not to say that Scottish football isn’t exciting or well attended. That’s almost always been the case. But I don’t see much use in the SPFL wrapping itself in the “best attending league per capita” stat every season and ignoring the bigger problems.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

Naturally, this is a highly debatable point so let me just clarify the yardsticks I’m using here:
- UEFA coefficients
- Youth production
- Spending power (from player sales and buying players) in the transfer market.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@ThatBoiRico I wouldn’t typically equate attendance figures with quality on and off the pitch at clubs.

[Transfermarkt English @TMuk_news]

Joshua Nga Kana is the latest talent to roll off the production line at Anderlecht 👐

On this week's Market Values show @BartTamsyn explains why the young winger is a player to keep an eye on this season 👀

[Transfermarkt English @TMuk_news]

Why Lennon Miller Could Become Serie A's Next Midfield Star 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇹

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@TolboothCobbles @rosscolquhoun Yes.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@billyg277 @Bingbud That’s because the football in Scotland is completely incompatible with what the rest of Europe plays. It’s by no means something Scottish football should be proud of.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@PhilHay_ Yeah exactly. An inherently flawed system. Which leads to flawed results.

[Stefan Bienkowski @SBienkowski]

@PhilHay_ I think there’s definitely an appeal to doubling down on authenticity. Bin var, prioritise fan culture, etc. As they do in Sweden, for example. But that’s an ambitious goal for the SPFL and it’s 42 members…