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Nuvinho
03-15-2011, 07:32 PM
Figure he may go to Vancouver to play. What about TFC trying to get him here for 1 year...knows the dutch system.

rocker
03-15-2011, 07:57 PM
wow.. shocker!

only 11 games with Sounders... but 5 goals.

TFCRegina
03-15-2011, 07:58 PM
Someone get his agent on the phone!

Ossington Mental Youth
03-15-2011, 08:04 PM
interesting. i wonder why? im sure thatd have a huge impact as to whether or not he gets signed again in the league

Whoop
03-15-2011, 08:05 PM
Can't hurt to inquire.

Though I wonder what happened in training to made them cut ties?

Nuvinho
03-15-2011, 08:09 PM
He said he was going to retire in 2012, so maybe Seattle figured they could get in a DP who would be longer term.

BayernTFC
03-15-2011, 08:10 PM
interesting. i wonder why? im sure thatd have a huge impact as to whether or not he gets signed again in the league
Here's some more info:

The Seattle Sounders FC announced Tuesday afternoon that it has cut ties with forward Blaise Nkufo and that the details of his status "are being negotiated by Sounders FC, the player's representative and Major League Soccer."

A source told 97.3 KIRO FM's Bill Swartz earlier in the day that Nkufo was not happy with the style of play coach Sigi Schmid was asking of him and that the Swiss striker came to the team last week and asked for a trade.

The 35-year-old Nkufo has family in Vancouver, British Columbia, so it would make sense if he would like to join the expansion Whitecaps. Toronto FC is another possibility. http://www.mynorthwest.com/?sid=444599&nid=418


He earned $480,000 last year with Seattle:

http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/august_12_2010_salary_information__by_club.pdf

gmacpheetfc
03-15-2011, 08:16 PM
mero would flip.

Nuvinho
03-15-2011, 08:17 PM
They figure OBW is a better option.....haha ;) (btw, he is starting tonight for Seattle)

jloome
03-15-2011, 08:25 PM
We should sign him. Hang the age. His consistent scoring rate, positional sense and finishing skill would instantly make him our best option up top.

Ossington Mental Youth
03-15-2011, 08:25 PM
yeah prob Van, question is whether they have room under their cap, want him and what they can give seattle

Pigfynn
03-15-2011, 08:33 PM
We have the cap space and NEED atleast a one year bandaid at the striker position. TAKE HIM!!!

Pachuco
03-15-2011, 08:34 PM
I'd take him but not on DP money. I didn't miss a game he played last year and I'm really not confident the dude would put the ball in the net in Toronto. It's a much different team then Seattle is.

Stryker
03-15-2011, 08:45 PM
Im sure Winter will have Mariner make some inquiries.
I'd be surprissed if he doesn't end up in Vancouver though.

BayernTFC
03-15-2011, 08:51 PM
I'd take him but not on DP money.
Well it sounds like the Sounders will eat part of his contract:


Sounders FC and Blaise Nkufo have ended their professional relationship

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC and Blaise Nkufo have mutually agreed to end the Swiss forward’s association with the club, effective immediately, it was announced today.


The details of Nkufo’s status are being negotiated by Sounders FC, the player’s representative and Major League Soccer.

“This move improves our flexibility with regard to the salary cap,” said Hanauer.


Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) - Announced FW Blaise Nkufo is no longer with the club.
http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2011/03-March/Nkufo-and-Sounders-FC-Cut-Ties.aspx



He's no longer on Seatlle's roster page:

http://www.soundersfc.com/Team/Roster.aspx

Stryker
03-15-2011, 08:53 PM
Nkufo was $480,000 for half a season last year. He'd definetely be a DP for a full season. I think he'd make a nice bandaid striker for a season though and I'm excited about the possibility.

Nuvinho
03-15-2011, 09:30 PM
ProvinceWeber (http://twitter.com/ProvinceWeber)

The Whitecaps have no interest in Blaise Nkufo. #MLS (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23MLS)

BayernTFC
03-15-2011, 09:50 PM
Nkufo was $480,000 for half a season last year. He'd definetely be a DP for a full season. I think he'd make a nice bandaid striker for a season though and I'm excited about the possibility.
This is what I find confusing. Was the $480,000 not his projected earnings for a full season?


Nkufo made $480,000 in base salary last season, but as a designated player would have hit the salary cap at $335,000. The flexibility could ease the arrival of Argentine midfielder Mauro Rosales, whose signing is expected to be announced soon.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2014505462_sounderside16.html

Wouldn't the cap hit be $167,500 if his salary was for a half season?

DangerRed
03-15-2011, 09:51 PM
Was just watching the LA-SEA game and the word is that Nkufo didn't want to play up-top striker and wanted to drop into a looser, more creative CAM kind of role. Sound like anyone you know? And whoever said it higher is right, D-Money would lose his shit if Nkufo came here on a salary higher than his. It'd be bedlam.

Or, you know, TFC trades D-Money to Seattle for Nkufo.:D

Damien
03-15-2011, 10:04 PM
ProvinceWeber (http://twitter.com/ProvinceWeber)

The Whitecaps have no interest in Blaise Nkufo. #MLS (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23MLS)

That was fast for them to comment.

Stryker
03-15-2011, 10:05 PM
I gotta say that a Martina----Nkufo----DeRo trio up front excites me quite abit.
Not full blown wood or anything mind you, but you know... it definitely moved.

boban
03-15-2011, 11:09 PM
I gotta say that a Martina----Nkufo----DeRo trio up front excites me quite abit.
Not full blown wood or anything mind you, but you know... it definitely moved.
Perhaps you missed grinded some blue pills in with that to make it move?

Brooker
03-16-2011, 01:19 AM
Perhaps you missed grinded some blue pills in with that to make it move?

how do you know they're blue? :D

Milky
03-16-2011, 05:29 AM
I actually don't like this move, not with our new style and squad. Nkufo was a consistent scorer last season for sure, but it sounds like he's a bit of a stick-in-the-mud and if we're just looking for a quality big man up front then we already (potentially) have Ornock. Also, the current average age of our squad is 25 years old (!!!) and that number is only going to get younger once we sign guys like Omphroy (I guess that's a done deal, actually), Cordon, Gold, etc.... Nkufo is 35 years old and would easily become our oldest player (we currently only have 2 over the age of 30 and only 3 not in their 20's or younger)! I just don't think it's good value for money, especially considering what he made last season. There are better options out there that would fit into our system (not to mention that I think he'll be joining Vancouver anyway).

Ossington Mental Youth
03-16-2011, 07:18 AM
van says they arent interested.
if there are better options, how come we havent trialed them/signed them?

Lucky Strike
03-16-2011, 09:02 AM
On one hand, he did have a good strike rate for Seattle last year, but the question remains would he fit well with the system that Winter is trying to implement? Does he have the same mental disposition as the others who were signed, etc, etc...

There are a lot of questions that only the TFC staff can answer so it's difficult to say whether Nkufo would be a good idea or no.

scooter
03-16-2011, 09:06 AM
lets not start the mo saga again and sign players as quick fixes
lets bring up the youth and support them

ManUtd4ever
03-16-2011, 09:13 AM
Nkufo's strike rate last season projected over a 34 game schedule would have translated to approximately 15 goals. It's tempting, but with only one centre forward/striker in Winter's system, Santos would be relegated to the bench. Considering Nkufo's likely price tag, I think TFC should focus on acquiring more talent on the wings and start the season with Santos at CF and Gordon as his backup.

Ultra & Proud
03-16-2011, 10:40 AM
lets not start the mo saga again and sign players as quick fixes

+1 .

Stouffville_RPB
03-16-2011, 11:14 AM
I actually don't like this move, not with our new style and squad. Nkufo was a consistent scorer last season for sure, but it sounds like he's a bit of a stick-in-the-mud and if we're just looking for a quality big man up front then we already (potentially) have Ornock. Also, the current average age of our squad is 25 years old (!!!) and that number is only going to get younger once we sign guys like Omphroy (I guess that's a done deal, actually), Cordon, Gold, etc.... Nkufo is 35 years old and would easily become our oldest player (we currently only have 2 over the age of 30 and only 3 not in their 20's or younger)! I just don't think it's good value for money, especially considering what he made last season. There are better options out there that would fit into our system (not to mention that I think he'll be joining Vancouver anyway).


Nkufo's strike rate last season projected over a 34 game schedule would have translated to approximately 15 goals. It's tempting, but with only one centre forward/striker in Winter's system, Santos would be relegated to the bench. Considering Nkufo's likely price tag, I think TFC should focus on acquiring more talent on the wings and start the season with Santos at CF and Gordon as his backup.

I think it would be worth getting him under contract, even at DP money for a season. The cap hit is maxed out on a DP so anything over that we shouldn't care and we have space for a DP. I'll take 15 goals a season out of a striker. How many times has that happened for TFC? Never.

Injuries and fixture congestion are all things that should be considered and having quality depth at striker is not a bad thing.

I don't see age being a strong enough reason to stay away from him either. As long as he's shown he can be an effective player which he has. In fact having his experience there could be of great benefit to younger players.

There obviously something about Ornoch that the coaching staff see to not offer him a contract after a long look.

I really don't see why TFC shouldn't look very hard at the possibility of signing him.

Ossington Mental Youth
03-16-2011, 11:18 AM
we dont know that Ornoch isnt going to be signed quite

Stouffville_RPB
03-16-2011, 12:00 PM
^ True. If he stood out that much then why not sign him earlier is all I'm saying.

Ossington Mental Youth
03-16-2011, 12:10 PM
we're definitely taking our time (could be paperwork) with signings, dont forget we just signed Zavarise and im more than certain there are more to come before saturday (granted that doesnt give us many days left), could be we will sign more next week

Super Cereal
03-16-2011, 01:05 PM
Why wouldn't Seattle trade him if he has so much value and asked for one?

jloome
03-16-2011, 01:08 PM
My one comment to people who think we shouldn't sign him if given the chance is that you truly do not understand how hard it is to land a finisher and CONSISTENT scorer of his quality.

Seriously, the guy's scoring rate has been enormous for years. Not signing him is like giving up 15 goals.

Maicon Santos? Seriously? People would prefer we start Maicon Santos over Blaise Nkufo?

Pigfynn
03-16-2011, 01:09 PM
My one comment to people who think we shouldn't sign him if given the chance is that you truly do not understand how hard it is to land a finisher and CONSISTENT scorer of his quality.

Seriously, the guy's scoring rate has been enormous for years. Not signing him is like giving up 15 goals.

Maicon Santos? Seriously? People would prefer we start Maicon Santos over Blaise Nkufo?

I certainly would not

Nodoubtguy
03-16-2011, 01:18 PM
I like Santos, but Nkufo is an upgrade....even at 35 years old

Pookie
03-16-2011, 02:47 PM
I like Santos, but Nkufo is an upgrade....even at 35 years old

Isn't it kind of sad that the prospect of landing a DP like Nkufo brings into question how DeRo would act?

He's the g-damned captain for pete's sake. He should be welcoming the dude without malice. Welcome to the team, let's go after it, and all that.

Of course, that isn't going to happen. If Nkufo comes in, along with Stevanovic (all rumours of course), does that put the proverbial writing on the wall?

BayernTFC
03-16-2011, 03:11 PM
On one hand, he did have a good strike rate for Seattle last year, but the question remains would he fit well with the system that Winter is trying to implement? Does he have the same mental disposition as the others who were signed, etc, etc...

There are a lot of questions that only the TFC staff can answer so it's difficult to say whether Nkufo would be a good idea or no.
Several good points made. He's old, but NKufo has experience with the Swiss National team. He's played in the Swiss Super League, 2. Bundesliga, Bundesliga and 223 appearances for FC Twente Enschede in the Eredivisie. NKufo proved he is capable of scoring regularly in the MLS too. Despite having Maicon Santos, and now Alan Gordon, Winter still insists that he is looking for a striker. Maybe TFC has better options than NKufo? Any consideration of the idea would also depend on what Seattle would be asking, if anything, and what the player would be looking for in additional compensation. Here's an interesting take from a Whitecaps perspective:


Nkufo is neither young nor quick. His wind's not the greatest; a problem when you're coached by Teitur Thordarson. He's a fairly limited player, and some would say that he's too limited for the money the Seattle Sounders (http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/seattle-sounders) have spent on him. However, he's plenty talented and finishes very well. When he started to find his stride in MLS last season, Nkufo looked positively dangerous. He's something of a known quantity and the Whitecaps could probably rely on him to pile in eight, nine goals if he was in the starting eleven.http://www.eightysixforever.com/2011/3/16/2053610/the-whitecaps-should-sign-blaise-nkufo-they-wont-but-they-should


It's a good read imho.

Stryker
03-16-2011, 03:16 PM
Unless Winters phone is ringing off the hook and he knows for certain he can get better I think they'd be nuts not to try and sign him if his salary and trade value is reasonable.

jloome
03-16-2011, 03:19 PM
Gotta tell ya, kills me not knowing if there's anything moving on this.

I fear the league may have a new unwritten post-DeRo rule for clubs about players who threaten to sit out though. So maybe there's politics involved.

ManUtd4ever
03-16-2011, 03:31 PM
My one comment to people who think we shouldn't sign him if given the chance is that you truly do not understand how hard it is to land a finisher and CONSISTENT scorer of his quality.

Seriously, the guy's scoring rate has been enormous for years. Not signing him is like giving up 15 goals.

Maicon Santos? Seriously? People would prefer we start Maicon Santos over Blaise Nkufo?

You make a very valid point but the trepidation is based on making the best use of the limited cap space available to shore up areas of the club that need it most. If TFC was to trade Santos or Gordon and acquire Nkufo, I would agree with you 100%. Based on the current roster though, I just don't think it makes sense to have Nkufo, Santos, and Gordon at CF while leaving the roster thin on the wings.

I would love to see Nkufo as the starting CF on TFC if it doesn't compromise Winter's ability to assemble a balanced roster. That being said, I also think Santos could be capable of scoring 10-12 goals over the course of a full season as a starter.

BayernTFC
03-16-2011, 03:37 PM
Gotta tell ya, kills me not knowing if there's anything moving on this.

I fear the league may have a new unwritten post-DeRo rule for clubs about players who threaten to sit out though. So maybe there's politics involved.
I don't put much credence in the soap opera behind the event. It looks like a straight forward salary dump to make room for the latest new signing. I posted this previously:

The flexibility could ease the arrival of Argentine midfielder Mauro Rosales
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2014505462_sounderside16.html

Milky
03-17-2011, 07:54 AM
Stouffville, Winter has said that he wants 2 players for every position. At CF he already has Santos and Gordon, and Ornoch is a third possible option. I don't doubt Nkufo's ability but if you're looking for a 15 goals/year scorer than we already have DeRo. And as much as everyone is probably tired of hearing it, if you bring in a DP then they better have credentials that your current squad doesn't have, otherwise there is going to be turmoil in the dressing room. Nkufo doesn't have the European pedegree of an Henry or Beckham and if he came in making more money than Dwayne (who is 3 years his junior and scored more goals last season!) then it won't be good for morale. Right now the squad is based on youth and a few key role players. Messing with this is dangerous and in this case I believe that signing Nkufo is more trouble than it's worth.

Jloome and NoDoubtGuy, Santos' scoring record is actually quite comparable to Nkufo's. They each scored 5 goals last season. Granted, Santos had 2 extra starts, but Nkufo also played on a better team (that was also more offensively-minded).

Yohan
03-17-2011, 07:58 AM
So, don't sign Nkufo to stroke DeRo's ego?

jloome
03-17-2011, 05:02 PM
Stouffville, Winter has said that he wants 2 players for every position. At CF he already has Santos and Gordon, and Ornoch is a third possible option. I don't doubt Nkufo's ability but if you're looking for a 15 goals/year scorer than we already have DeRo. And as much as everyone is probably tired of hearing it, if you bring in a DP then they better have credentials that your current squad doesn't have, otherwise there is going to be turmoil in the dressing room. Nkufo doesn't have the European pedegree of an Henry or Beckham and if he came in making more money than Dwayne (who is 3 years his junior and scored more goals last season!) then it won't be good for morale. Right now the squad is based on youth and a few key role players. Messing with this is dangerous and in this case I believe that signing Nkufo is more trouble than it's worth.

Jloome and NoDoubtGuy, Santos' scoring record is actually quite comparable to Nkufo's. They each scored 5 goals last season. Granted, Santos had 2 extra starts, but Nkufo also played on a better team (that was also more offensively-minded).

I can't believe based on one-half season you're comparing Maicon Santos, third-division Brazilian player who has NEVER been a starter in this league, with a guy who, at this time last year, was still one of the most consistent strikers in Europe.
Nkufo's last seven years
2003–2010 Twente (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Twente) 223 (114)

Maicon Santos'

Madureira (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madureira_Esporte_Clube)

2006 → Remo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clube_do_Remo) (loan) 4 (3) 2006–2008 Étoile du Sahel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89toile_Sportive_du_Sahel)

2007 → Al-Nasr (Benghazi) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nasr_%28Benghazi%29) (loan)

2008 Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shomna (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hapoel_Ironi_Kiryat_Shmona_F.C.) 1 (0) 2008 Bnei Sakhnin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bnei_Sakhnin_F.C.) 10 (0) 2008–2010 Bonsucesso (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsucesso_Futebol_Clube)

2009–2010 → Chivas USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.D._Chivas_USA) (loan) 19 (2) 2010– Toronto FC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_FC) 13 (4)
Again, if you can't see the difference in quality between Nkufo, even at 35 and ANYONE, DeRo included, on our team, then there's hardly a point even having a debate.

Pachuco
03-17-2011, 08:06 PM
I can't believe based on one-half season you're comparing Maicon Santos, third-division Brazilian player who has NEVER been a starter in this league, with a guy who, at this time last year, was still one of the most consistent strikers in Europe.
Nkufo's last seven years
2003–2010 Twente (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Twente) 223 (114)

Maicon Santos'

Madureira (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madureira_Esporte_Clube)

2006 → Remo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clube_do_Remo) (loan) 4 (3) 2006–2008 Étoile du Sahel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89toile_Sportive_du_Sahel)

2007 → Al-Nasr (Benghazi) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Nasr_%28Benghazi%29) (loan)

2008 Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shomna (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hapoel_Ironi_Kiryat_Shmona_F.C.) 1 (0) 2008 Bnei Sakhnin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bnei_Sakhnin_F.C.) 10 (0) 2008–2010 Bonsucesso (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsucesso_Futebol_Clube)

2009–2010 → Chivas USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.D._Chivas_USA) (loan) 19 (2) 2010– Toronto FC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_FC) 13 (4)
Again, if you can't see the difference in quality between Nkufo, even at 35 and ANYONE, DeRo included, on our team, then there's hardly a point even having a debate.

I don't know man. I think you are severely overrating Nkufo. But that's just one man's opinion. Dero contract issues aside, Nkufo has nothing on Dero in any part of the game. I really don't look at resume and stats. I saw him play in every game he played in, and I'm judging him based on that. Not saying he's terrible or anything, I just think you are severely over rating him.

I would keep Maicon as a starter myself. He's way better on the ball than Nkufo will ever be and has way more upside at 26 years old. Maicon could be a starting striker for us for another 5 years. I personally don't think a poacher like Nkufo would survive on this team this year. I think Maicon's traits who can create something out of nothing are going to be alot more beneficial in a year where we aren't going to create many chances.

jloome
03-17-2011, 09:05 PM
I don't know man. I think you are severely overrating Nkufo. But that's just one man's opinion. Dero contract issues aside, Nkufo has nothing on Dero in any part of the game. I really don't look at resume and stats. I saw him play in every game he played in, and I'm judging him based on that. Not saying he's terrible or anything, I just think you are severely over rating him.

How? He's scored a goal every 2 games his entire career. He's had one bad season in, like, 15.

I also saw every game he played last season. He's an absolutely clinical finisher. He had about seven chances in those eleven games and he buried 5 of them.

"Has nothing on DeRo in any part of the game?" So you honestly think DeRo could be among the leading scorers in the Eredivisie? Because Nkufo still was when he left Twente. He didn't retire off the bench, he was still one of the best in the league.

And not taking someone's resume into account doesn't strike me as a very solid way of coming to a reasonable conclusion. Of course it's not everything, but the guy has been a class striker at a higher level than MLS for years.

noochie
03-17-2011, 09:38 PM
don't need either of them, Alan Gordon is gonna light-it-up!

BayernTFC
03-17-2011, 09:42 PM
Some interesting follow up information on Seattle's release of Nkufo:


Seattle coach Sigi Schmid met with Nkufo a few days before the opener where both sides realized a split was probably best for each. Hanauer said the move needed to be made before the season began, otherwise $335,000 of Nkufo's salary would have counted against Seattle's salary cap.
"It wasn't working in terms of his situation, our situation, but it was very mutual. There were no problems, there were no issues, there was no problem with professionalism. He's a very professional player and a quality player, but after we met we realized it was probably best to move on."http://www.sify.com/news/blaise-nkufo-and-seattle-sounders-cut-ties-news-news-ldsbO1bdadb.html




EDIT: Also, his full year salary was confirmed to be $480,000 and the rumoured incident is indeed garbage:


Nkufo’s salary was $480,000 a year, but $335,000 of that counted against the Sounders’ salary cap. The Sounders made up the difference. The Sounders also had three DPs, the league limit, heading into the season — Nkufo, Montero and Alvaro Fernandez (http://sounders.sportspressnw.com/roster/alvaro-fernandez/). The salary cap and DP limit offered little room to continue to seek an impact player that could fulfill the club’s aims for this season — winning a championship.
Zakuani dismissed rumors of an altercation or a bust-up involving Nkufo with another player or with the coaching staff.
“There was never any incident,” Zakuani said. “When he trained he trained hard. When he played he played hard. He gave his best. This is purely a football decision. The club wanted to go one way and Blaise didn’t want to go that way, and they mutually agreed to go their separate ways.”
http://sounders.sportspressnw.com/2011/03/17/why-blaise-nkufo-left/

Chevy
03-17-2011, 09:55 PM
This would be a decent signing, IF it's for one year and at no more than $500k.

.....and at least a dollar more than DeRo. ;)

mimico FC
03-17-2011, 10:06 PM
Another plus about nkufo is that he played with bouchiba for 2 seasons so there probably is some established familiarity with the two

Yohan
03-17-2011, 10:16 PM
I'm still befuddled by why people rate Maicon Santos so highly

Pachuco
03-17-2011, 10:18 PM
How? He's scored a goal every 2 games his entire career. He's had one bad season in, like, 15.

I also saw every game he played last season. He's an absolutely clinical finisher. He had about seven chances in those eleven games and he buried 5 of them.

"Has nothing on DeRo in any part of the game?" So you honestly think DeRo could be among the leading scorers in the Eredivisie? Because Nkufo still was when he left Twente. He didn't retire off the bench, he was still one of the best in the league.

And not taking someone's resume into account doesn't strike me as a very solid way of coming to a reasonable conclusion. Of course it's not everything, but the guy has been a class striker at a higher level than MLS for years.

Hey look, like I said, it's an opinion based on watching him play. I don't believe he can create chances out of nothing. We have a really young immature squad who aren't going to be putting the ball on a platter for him.

I would consider him but not as our DP for this year. If our team was in a different situation maybe. If we were a team in contention and we wanted to rent a player who can put some more balls in the net then maybe you would pay for that.

But when you are a young team, looking to be contenders in 2 to 3 years, I would MUCH rather we spend that kind of money on a longer term fix and I would MUCH rather we see if Maicon pans out as a solid contributor to this team for years to come.

It's all about circumstances here, which is why I'm ignoring his resume. He's 35 after all so you would have to consider this a quick fix for a team that doesn't need a quick fix.

BayernTFC
03-17-2011, 10:50 PM
I like Maicon Santos. He looks ready to continue to perform well for TFC and contribute this season. I wouldn't advocate letting Maicon go and I don't think it's a matter of him remaining or someone else being added. Even though TFC has Maicon and Gordon, Winter has been the one talking about the need to add a proven scorer as well as a winger:

Winter is still on the lookout for several players to add to his team, and he admitted to Goal.com after the Charleston loss that he wanted a couple of more positions to be strengthened.

"I am looking for other players because, at this moment I am missing a left winger and in the front I am missing a striker who is always there to score or to help the team," Winter said.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1589/canada/2011/03/12/2392095/aron-winter-close-to-starting-xi-for-toronto-fc-opener


Here's the link to the video of that interview:

http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=2856

Pachuco
03-18-2011, 12:23 AM
How? He's scored a goal every 2 games his entire career. He's had one bad season in, like, 15.

I also saw every game he played last season. He's an absolutely clinical finisher. He had about seven chances in those eleven games and he buried 5 of them.

"Has nothing on DeRo in any part of the game?" So you honestly think DeRo could be among the leading scorers in the Eredivisie? Because Nkufo still was when he left Twente. He didn't retire off the bench, he was still one of the best in the league.

And not taking someone's resume into account doesn't strike me as a very solid way of coming to a reasonable conclusion. Of course it's not everything, but the guy has been a class striker at a higher level than MLS for years.

Ok, one more thing for ya. You say you saw him play last year and he's a clinical finisher right? If you think he's a clinical finisher, then what do you think of Maicon when you see these stats?

Nkufo - 16 games played\1312 mins\21shots\13 on goal\5 goals\1 assist

Maicon - 12 games played\838mins\25shots\10 on goal\3 goals\2 assists

I get that Nkufo takes less shots when scoring goals, but if it all equals about the same production who cares? I could also tell you this shows Maicon is a hell of a lot more active then Nkufo is, but I don't need stats to show that if you've seen them both play.

When you consider the following:

* Maicon's age.
* potenial striker on your team for many years to come.
* The fact he brings some consistency from last year.
* The fact he makes a lot less money but gives you equal production.
* The fact you could buy another starter (an expensive one) for the extra money you would have to pay NKufo.
* The fact you save your DP slot.
* The fact we ain't winning anything this year with or without Maicon or NKufo.
* Not sure about this one but is Nkufo still a risk to get called up for international duty? We know Maicon isn't.

I don't know about you but with all things considered, I would be annoyed if Winter threw that away for a rent a player who'll be here 1 year in a rebuilding year.

Pachuco
03-18-2011, 12:27 AM
I like Maicon Santos. He looks ready to continue to perform well for TFC and contribute this season. I wouldn't advocate letting Maicon go and I don't think it's a matter of him remaining or someone else being added. Even though TFC has Maicon and Gordon, Winter has been the one talking about the need to add a proven scorer as well as a winger:

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1589/canada/2011/03/12/2392095/aron-winter-close-to-starting-xi-for-toronto-fc-opener


Here's the link to the video of that interview:

http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=2856

I'm not against Winter adding a striker at all. let me make that clear. I'm simply responding to the notion that it should be Nkufo.

golasogolaso
03-18-2011, 08:30 AM
Given that there doesnt seem to be any quality strikers that Toronto has been able to find (got knows we need a few), Nkufo would of course be a quality signing- one of the best since club got started. But even his potential signing doesnt mean the club shouldn't continue its efforts to find an even better, proven goal scorer. All this said, i do remember that club/Mo passed on Nkufo about a year before he went to Seattle.

brad
03-18-2011, 08:58 AM
How? He's scored a goal every 2 games his entire career. He's had one bad season in, like, 15.

I also saw every game he played last season. He's an absolutely clinical finisher. He had about seven chances in those eleven games and he buried 5 of them.

"Has nothing on DeRo in any part of the game?" So you honestly think DeRo could be among the leading scorers in the Eredivisie? Because Nkufo still was when he left Twente. He didn't retire off the bench, he was still one of the best in the league.

And not taking someone's resume into account doesn't strike me as a very solid way of coming to a reasonable conclusion. Of course it's not everything, but the guy has been a class striker at a higher level than MLS for years.

Sometimes I think this board has split personality disorder. People call out for a DP striker with proven goal scoring rate over and over, and then when one becomes available (potentially), people don't want him.

brad
03-18-2011, 09:00 AM
I'm still befuddled by why people rate Maicon Santos so highly

I think he has potential to have a break out year - with the right supporting cast. He's pretty quick, he's strong, and he's good on the ball. There is some evidence that he can finish.

Roogsy
03-18-2011, 09:15 AM
I'm still befuddled by why people rate Maicon Santos so highly


His problem is consistency. But when he's on...he can smoke the opposition in this league. I guess we are hoping that Winter can motivate him to be on his game most of the season. I think he's got the skill. Whether his concentration can remain on point is the question.

scut farkus
03-18-2011, 09:23 AM
I don't know... I'm a little on the fence with Nkufo.
I'm sure he'd bring goals with him, but... If you look at the signings so far, the current players, what Winter says during interviews and the overall team strategy, it doesn't seem to me he would fit into TFC's plan. I don't like the idea of signing a player for the sake of signing someone...

ManUtd4ever
03-18-2011, 09:30 AM
Maicon is one of the few positive remnants of the Preki era. The fact that TFC claimed him on waivers is a bonus. A change of scenery allowed him to flourish and enjoy more success in Toronto than with any other club throughout his career. He scored a few crackers in his limited playing time last season, and he demonstrated that he can hold up the ball and distribute as well.

If TFC can acquire Nkufo, I would be thrilled, but it is unlikely due to his contract status in Seattle. That being said, I am confident that Maicon will prove to be a very effective CF on this team, hopefully for years to come.

Yohan
03-18-2011, 11:22 AM
His problem is consistency. But when he's on...he can smoke the opposition in this league. I guess we are hoping that Winter can motivate him to be on his game most of the season. I think he's got the skill. Whether his concentration can remain on point is the question.
I agree that he is not consistent enough. But then again, bouncing around his entire career tells me that he's been inconsistent all his career. *shrug*

I just think people should not have such high hopes for Maicon Santos. (then again, Santos could have a breakout year out of nowhere. Ask Wondo or Le Toux)

As for Nkufo's contract situation, didn't an article state that his contract was bought out by Seattle and more or less available as free agent?

ManUtd4ever
03-18-2011, 11:27 AM
If Nkufo's effectively a free agent, why aren't teams lining up to sign him yet?

BayernTFC
03-18-2011, 02:55 PM
If Nkufo's effectively a free agent, why aren't teams lining up to sign him yet?
It's a good question. The information available leads one to believe that SSFC bought out Nkufo's contract:


(D) BUYOUT OF GUARANTEED CONTRACT
Teams may have the ability to buyout one guaranteed player as follows:


A Team may buy out one (1) guaranteed player (including a DP’s) contract during the off-season and free up the corresponding budget space. Such a buyout is at the particular MLS Team’s own expense.
A Team may not free up budget space with a buyout of a player’s salary budget charge during the season. Such a buyout will be conducted by the League and count on a Club’s budget in a manner consistent with current MLS guidelines.


http://www.mlssoccer.com/2011-mls-roster-rules


You would think that Nkufo would be free to negotiate with whoever he wants. Perhaps player contracts actually belonging to the league complicates things? If Nkufo were to agree to play for less elsewhere in MLS, would it affect the rest of his guaranteed salary? There are many reasons why some teams would pass on him. Some MLS teams already have full squads and/or lack cap space. Being older and at the end of his career, Nkufo just might not fit into the picture of some teams. There has been speculation as to why Vancouver passed on him:


Signs that all was not well between the Sounders and Nkufo first started to show when he was left unprotected in the Expansion Draft. It wasn't a shocking decision, as several Designated Players were left exposed, but it was perhaps telling that the Vancouver Whitecaps (http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/vancouver-whitecaps) passed on the chance to select him since they would've been given the opportunity to renegotiate his contract.
http://www.sounderatheart.com/2011/3/17/2055728/sounders-gm-adrian-hanauer-adding-another-dp-not-out-of-the-question


In the end, the Whitecaps landed Hassli. It is also the case that teams have until April 15 to make additions. Perhaps injuries, or poor performance might change the minds of some managers? Nkufo would certainly take an international roster spot on US squads, but does the fact that he has relatives living in Canada change things for Canadian sides?

BayernTFC
03-24-2011, 08:53 PM
It appears that Blaise Nkufo is set to retire. He'd like to become a scout for FC Twente Enschede:

http://www.nusport.nl/overige-comp/2475231/nkufo-zet-punt-achter-loopbaan.html


Blaise N'Kufo heeft woensdag besloten een punt achter zijn loopbaan te zetten. De spits vertrok een week geleden vlak voor de competitiestart bij zijn Amerikaanse werkgever Seattle Sounders en gaat nu met pensioen, zo melden diverse media.
Translation: Blaise N'Kufo has decided to put an end to his career on Wednesday. The striker left his American employer, Seattle Sounders, a week ago just before the start of the season and now goes into retirement, so reports various media.


Onlangs sprak N'Kufo tegenover NUsport al zijn twijfels uit over een verlenging van zijn loopbaan. In de toekomst hoopt hij als scout voor FC Twente aan de slag te gaan.
Translation: Recently N'Kufo spoke opposite NUsport about all of his doubts over a lengthening of his career. In the future, he hopes to get to work as a scout for FC Twente.

Brooker
03-25-2011, 07:39 AM
All that hype and he retires... :D

ManUtd4ever
03-25-2011, 07:59 AM
That's ok, we have Maicon "The Cannon" Santos!