I am bilingual, and I can tell you that the comments posted by fans on both sites are not very endearing at all, LOL. It seems Kandari has decided to opt out of a verbal commitment he made to another club to allegedly join TFC.
He's a 30 year old Moroccan international with years of experience in Ligue 1, so he could be a solid addition if this story has legs.
Nearly 3000 mins for Lens last season in ligue un aint bad. Lens were relegated though.
Capped by Morocco, dude has pedigree. Could be good, hopefully not to expensive.
Some responses to the Soccer France tweet
"No better than Perquis"
"Risky"
Hmmmmm
Lucas Gibert @MonsieurSoccer 2m2 minutes ago
@Areathrasher I really like Perquis and I want him to be successful with Toronto. But Kantari...
Lucas Gibert @MonsieurSoccer 1m1 minute ago
@Areathrasher It would be absolutely miraculous to see him being great...
Lucas Gibert @MonsieurSoccer 10s11 seconds ago
@Areathrasher I laughed when I saw that. He should have signed with Dijon in Ligue 2 initially...
@chansiufung76 @SoccerFranceOff There are 1500 best Kantari options I think.
@chansiufung76 @SoccerFranceOff I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but it has not the level to play in MLS. And physically... it blocks
Brian @Areathrasher 2m2 minutes ago
@MonsieurSoccer Even at MLS level you don't see him being a good pick-up?
Lucas Gibert @MonsieurSoccer 57s57 seconds ago
@Areathrasher maybe as a backup center back... If he was crap in L1, I just don't want to see the result in the MLS hahaha
Last edited by Areathrasher; 07-21-2015 at 01:29 PM.
He's spent the better part of the last 5 years in Ligue 1. He will be able to communicate well with Perquis and Cheyrou. I think this signing makes sense and I like it.
Well, we'll see if he actually signs.
I don't know. Just turned 30 but not the physical presence? And he's left footed.
This sounds like a bit of broken telephone. Maybe he thinks he has a deal when Bez just has him on a list.
Mind you, this bit has me intrigued
Just from going through tweets and translating them. The French seem to be more clued in and respectful of MLS than other European nations.
Interesting.
A 2nd opinion
Andrew Gibney @Gibney_A 49s49 seconds ago
@Areathrasher Yeah. Very experienced. Good solid defender. Nothing special, but a sound athlete and pro.
Hmm....just noticed that in that video he had the captain's armband. Admittedly it was on a team going down that season but still.
Keep on diggingt trasher, i'm curious to see more comments on his ability.
http://www.whoscored.com/Players/32496/
"
- Plays the ball off the ground often
- Likes to play long balls
- Likes to tackle
- Commits fouls often"
His history (past four years in L1) suggests a 6.9 rating which isn't bad altogether. Perquis is at 6.84 average rating over the past 8 years including TFC.
As a comparison, Laurent Ciman has an average rating of 7.46.
I'd be content with this addition, he;s played a RB previously too. Get him in at 200K.
Some more garbled translated opinions/tweets
@MonsieurSoccer Not bad at all a few years ago, very solid. But slow and dirty mentality internally (in Brest at least)
@MonsieurSoccer That said, it is not a good choice for so many. But it can make good perf
@MonsieurSoccer Yes finally viewing the defence of the TFC hangover today. Will be no worse
Seems like a good signing. Sounds better than that Swiss guy we were linked to. Ligue 1 and international experience. Only 30 years old. Likely fairly cheap. Left footed as well so slots naturally into the left side beside Perquis. That's something people don't normally pay attention to but it can make a difference. Look at the 2nd goal in our first game vs NYCFC, Zavaleta wasn't comfortable on his left down the left side under pressure and gifted them the ball for a goal
Looking at the details and comparing to Perquis (note this is French League vs. MLS but Perquis' #'s stay the same by and large)
Kantari makes more tackles but less interceptions.
Fouls more then Perquis by about 50%.
Carded about the same.
Makes more clearances then Perquis.
Blocks crosses and passes more then Perquis. That one is actually amazingly useful cause I see that as Perquis biggest strength.
He's 2 cm taller then Perquis but doesn't win as much in the air.
Not as good a passer as Perquis.
In a league where a lot of teams live and die by the cross the box pass to chest or feet, this guy sounds useful. DCU, NYRB, NER, Orlando all rely upon that lower cross.
Even if we don't take him, that's kinda the player we should be looking for.
Last edited by OgtheDim; 07-21-2015 at 02:35 PM.
I'd like us to look down south and get some guys on cheap loan deals alla Dallas, Vancouver and Montreal.
Cabrera (60k), Techera (60k), Cigriliano (130k)
River Plate loan out their fringe players that have come up through their academy like candy. I'd really like Bez and co to try and re-explore that. They scouted SA in the winter and had Techera on their discovery list
i guess he put some mustard on that deal
Why is their official site saying who he's going to sign for? I don't even.
Everything about Kantari makes me feel comfortable with this signing.. My only worry is that he lacks the pace we probably need at cb