TFC 2016 In-Season player moves/speculation/rumours/etc.

[Bobo]

So Conte has apparently called for a retreat between the 18th and 21st of thE month. Just so happens that TFC have matches against NYC and Columbus on those dates. I wonder if he'd request Seba's presence. I'm sure he'd want to go though.

Also worth noting, Conte is apparently ready to revert back to his old 3-5-2, which I think gives Seba more of a chance of reaching the Euros.

I'm torn on the situation. His absence would cripple TFC's attack but it would likely keep him happy (and possibly here) for the long-term. We all saw what happened with Defoe after he got the WC snub.

[Red CB Toronto]

So Conte has apparently called for a retreat between the 18th and 21st of thE month. Just so happens that TFC have matches against NYC and Columbus on those dates. I wonder if he'd request Seba's presence. I'm sure he'd want to go though.

Also worth noting, Conte is apparently ready to revert back to his old 3-5-2, which I think gives Seba more of a chance of reaching the Euros.

I'm torn on the situation. His absence would cripple TFC's attack but it would likely keep him happy (and possibly here) for the long-term. We all saw what happened with Defoe after he got the WC snub.

Well the US's camp in prep for the Copa America opens on May 16th, with the MLS players joining the camp by the 22nd, so regardless TFC will be down a few key bodies, so it will be interesting. There is no way I see TFC getting in the way of Seba going if picked for it.

[TFC Tifoso]

So Conte has apparently called for a retreat between the 18th and 21st of thE month. Just so happens that TFC have matches against NYC and Columbus on those dates. I wonder if he'd request Seba's presence. I'm sure he'd want to go though.

Also worth noting, Conte is apparently ready to revert back to his old 3-5-2, which I think gives Seba more of a chance of reaching the Euros.

I'm torn on the situation. His absence would cripple TFC's attack but it would likely keep him happy (and possibly here) for the long-term. We all saw what happened with Defoe after he got the WC snub.

I disagree.....the 3-5-2 is the reason why Seba featured so little at Juve under Conte.....he just doesn't fit into any position naturally.....only when Conte started experimenting with 3 up top did Seba get good minutes with the Azzurri.....in the end I wouldn't be surprised if he gets called up, but that will have more to do with the lack of scoring options for Italy, than whatever formation is being implemented.....

[Fort York Redcoat]

Well the US's camp in prep for the Copa America opens on May 16th, with the MLS players joining the camp by the 22nd, so regardless TFC will be down a few key bodies, so it will be interesting. There is no way I see TFC getting in the way of Seba going if picked for it.

Infuriating, yes. Interesting, less so.

[Bobo]

I disagree.....the 3-5-2 is the reason why Seba featured so little at Juve under Conte.....he just doesn't fit into any position naturally.....only when Conte started experimenting with 3 up top did Seba get good minutes with the Azzurri.....in the end I wouldn't be surprised if he gets called up, but that will have more to do with the lack of scoring options for Italy, than whatever formation is being implemented.....

He was just flat-out poor at Juve. He's just a different player at the moment, regardless of the level of opposition. In any case, the reason why his chances have improved is because he was not going to beat out Insigne and El Shaarawy at LW. If Conte goes 3-5-2 then Insigne is likely the odd man out in favour of another striker. Eder is probably Italy's best 2nd striker, which isn't saying much. If Conte wants dynamism at that position then I think Seba might even get a shot at starting.

[TFC Tifoso]

He was just flat-out poor at Juve. He's just a different player at the moment, regardless of the level of opposition. In any case, the reason why his chances have improved is because he was not going to beat out Insigne and El Shaarawy at LW. If Conte goes 3-5-2 then Insigne is likely the odd man out in favour of another striker. Eder is probably Italy's best 2nd striker, which isn't saying much. If Conte wants dynamism at that position then I think Seba might even get a shot at starting.

ok fair points, but its so tough to say right now.....Italy won't bring no more than 5 strikers regardless of formation so from that he'll choose from Eder, SES (he'll make the team had a good season though Milan was poor), Insigne, Pelle', Balo, Immobile, Zaza, and Seba (unless I'm missing someone else).....I figure Eder, SES, AND Insigne are locks, so its 2 out of the remaining 5.....have a feeling Balo ends up making it too, regardless of form.....

[rydermike]

So Conte has apparently called for a retreat between the 18th and 21st of thE month. Just so happens that TFC have matches against NYC and Columbus on those dates. I wonder if he'd request Seba's presence.

Maybe they can make a compromise and Giovinco plays on the 18th, and then immediately heads to the airport afterwards

[Yohan]

Giovinco has to make the Euro team for Italy if he's going to stay with TFC. The message will be very clear if Giovinco doesn't make the team; you have to play at higher level. Giovinco will want a move to a European team if he thinks that's the best shot he'll have to make WC2018 team, when he still has a chance to make that team at age 31/32.

[mistercorporate]

Giovinco is a smart guy, he's approaching 30 and has relevance and respect in this team and league. Being #2 in any other team (even if it's Juventus) would be going backwards to what he initially escaped from. Italy call ups are likely a nice to have, not the main consideration. He's not going anywhere.

[Yohan]

Giovinco is a smart guy, he's approaching 30 and has relevance and respect in this team and league. Being #2 in any other team (even if it's Juventus) would be going backwards to what he initially escaped from. Italy call ups are likely a nice to have, not the main consideration. He's not going anywhere.

you don't know how much he wants Italy call up.

from his interviews, it does seem like he wants to play for Italy, and he only considered moving to TFC only after Conte says he'll still be in contention even if he moved to MLS.

[TFC Tifoso]

you don't know how much he wants Italy call up.

from his interviews, it does seem like he wants to play for Italy, and he only considered moving to TFC only after Conte says he'll still be in contention even if he moved to MLS.

fair enough, but at this point Conte's opinion is more or less irrelevant....he's gone after the Euros anyways, so its up to what the next manager for the Azzurri thinks, which may play more into any decisions Giovinco makes about his future.....and at this point, there's no clue as to who it may be.....realistically, Giovinco has 1 more World Cup left in him then his Azzurri time will be over too.....

[Ultra & Proud]

you don't know how much he wants Italy call up.

To be fair, you don't know how much he wants it either.

Maybe being comfortable in a city like Toronto, being a big star in MLS, plus making $7M a year will offset the upset of possibly missing out on an outside chance of making one WC on the bench for Italy, while playing for a shitty Italian club for less money. I say shitty because if he went to one of the big ones he'd be a bench player and not get selected to Italy anyway.

[Yohan]

To be fair, you don't know how much he wants it either.

Maybe being comfortable in a city like Toronto, being a big star in MLS, plus making $7M a year will offset the upset of possibly missing out on an outside chance of making one WC on the bench for Italy, while playing for a shitty Italian club for less money. I say shitty because if he went to one of the big ones he'd be a bench player and not get selected to Italy anyway.

I'm just speculating, but if I was a national team member, even a fringe one, I'd want to play at least one major tourney. It's part of an ambition for most pro players.
You can roll in a lot of money, but from ambition point of view, I'd have huge regrets if I didn't play in a major tourney at least once in my career when you're good enough to make the squad. MLS or China will still be around after Giovinco turns 32 and wants cash again.

[Detroit_TFC]

TBH after Giovinco's MVP season I expected a wave of Italian players coming into MLS, ie, guys who think "I'm better than Seba, I'll make some big dough and crush the hell out of MLS" but it didn't happen. Playing outside Europe will be an attraction to only a small number of players I think.

[Pint]

TBH after Giovinco's MVP season I expected a wave of Italian players coming into MLS, ie, guys who think "I'm better than Seba, I'll make some big dough and crush the hell out of MLS" but it didn't happen. Playing outside Europe will be an attraction to only a small number of players I think.

Few points why it may not have happened this year

1. China spent crazy money and took many of the players who may have been looking to move overseas
2. Right before Euro Cup and many probably wouldn't want to risk losing spot on a national team
3. Not many of the bigger spenders in MLS have DP slots available, of the teams who can and do spend top dollar on DP's only Seattle has an open spot.

[OgtheDim]

Rumours running around Kamara is on the block. In an alternative universe where we have nothing but wide players, he might fit in. i.e. He's the worst possible fit for our team right now.

I think NER should pick him up but more likely it will be Chicago or Houston.

[Ivy]

MTL is going to go after him - BIG time.

[notthesun]

I think Columbus would be crazy to trade him to another team in the East. Houston and Seattle would both be interested I think, but I don't know what they'd be able to give up... maybe Cubo Torres plus a kicker for Houston, but I don't know what Seattle could offer.

Certainly sounds like he's on his way out. He needs to be moved by the end of the day tomorrow though because the MLS transfer window is closing.

Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/AndrewKingMLS/status/730058164532580352

[Jpexxx]

He's essentially a DP so the list of teams he could go to is short

[Ruffian]

Trade Altidore for Kamara straight up. Then we will have a striker during the Copa America and Euro Cup.

[PopePouri]

Trade Altidore for Kamara straight up. Then we will have a striker during the Copa America and Euro Cup.

LOL. Fuck that locker room cancer.

[Ivy]

@GrantWahl: Hearing Columbus is trying to trade Kei Kamara pre-deadline, but it's hard to move DPs since so many teams have the maximum 3 DPs already.

[Ivy]

On the flip side, I'd LOVE to see Pipa play underneath Seba and Jozy.

[OgtheDim]

Trade Altidore for Kamara straight up. Then we will have a striker during the Copa America and Euro Cup.

a) we don't play the way he likes to play

b) he is a locker room cancer

c) He will play second fiddle to nobody

Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/smitchcd/status/730065967825473536

They will be trading Kamara.

[Red I]

Rumours running around Kamara is on the block. In an alternative universe where we have nothing but wide players, he might fit in. i.e. He's the worst possible fit for our team right now.

I have a sneaking suspicion a lot of the reason Jozy is not scoring right now is this.

[OgtheDim]

Pretty much the same cast of characters last season service wise and Altidore scores 13.

[C.Ronaldo]

a) we don't play the way he likes to play

b) he is a locker room cancer

c) He will play second fiddle to nobody

Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/smitchcd/status/730065967825473536

They will be trading Kamara.

Why was Drogba getting in there on the penalty spat? Hes patting Higuan on the back, but then seems to be buddies with Kamara

[MartinUtd]

Yeah let's stay away from Kamara especially after his recent outburst.

[OgtheDim]

Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/AndrewKingMLS/status/730085154937516032

Yeah.....no thanks.

[jloome]

Why was Drogba getting in there on the penalty spat? Hes patting Higuan on the back, but then seems to be buddies with Kamara

He was complaining about time wasting.