TFC 2021-2022 player/coach/GM off-season roster discussion

[Gringo Starr]

Yikes I should have clarified. I know why it can’t / won’t happen and that this club is now the Bradleys and that MB is a fine captain and an even better person but it is a shame to lose Marky due to mid field glut. If all things are equal and I had a choice I’m picking Delgado over MB though as he is 8 years younger on a third of the wages, covers a shit ton of ground, showed up in big games except for one bloody shot on goal, who when paired with Oso was as good a midfield as we ever had. I’m not crapping on MB but looking at the player he is now that is the choice I would make.

[MikeForbes]

Seriously what is the deal with people hating on Michael Bradley here? Dude took a massive paycut, is still serviceable, barely injured, and will surely play better under his Dad with better players around him and not as some roaming CB. Feel like the priorities are way out of wack here. Wanting to ship out the captain who ACTUALLY sacrificed things for the team (Jozy apologists take note) because he makes a bit too much money even after taking a paycut (not even realistic to move him because no one is taking him but he is not anywhere close to as bad as made out to be) is insane to me. There are 20 different things to fix on this team before Michael Bradley.

I make a lot of jokes about Bradley so maybe you are referring to me. The guy is 100% the best captain in franchise history and second best player in franchise history. His debut against the Sounders is perhaps the best game I have ever seen from a midfielder in TFC colors. I do legit fear he has a ton of power over this franchise though. Outside of Javier Perez taking him off at halftime in one game (where the team took control afterwards) it feels like our coaches have been afraid to bench him. The stretch in 2020 where Osorio and Delgado ran the best midfield two in MLS and the team immediately regressed upon MB returning really showed he wasn't the same guy anymore.

[portu]

I make a lot of jokes about Bradley so maybe you are referring to me. The guy is 100% the best captain in franchise history and second best player in franchise history. His debut against the Sounders is perhaps the best game I have ever seen from a midfielder in TFC colors. I do legit fear he has a ton of power over this franchise though. Outside of Javier Perez taking him off at halftime in one game (where the team took control afterwards) it feels like our coaches have been afraid to bench him. The stretch in 2020 where Osorio and Delgado ran the best midfield two in MLS and the team immediately regressed upon MB returning really showed he wasn't the same guy anymore.

I’ve been really annoyed because to me our midfield solution has been staring us in the face with Delgado/Osorio. Bradley is the only player who deserves a statue in my mind, but he’s been nothing more than a fringe starter for a while and has likely hampered our performances more than helped them as of late.

[jloome]

I’ve been really annoyed because to me our midfield solution has been staring us in the face with Delgado/Osorio. Bradley is the only player who deserves a statue in my mind, but he’s been nothing more than a fringe starter for a while and has likely hampered our performances more than helped them as of late.

While I'd agree this has often been the case, I also think it's worth asking how much of that is physical decline and how much of it is just poor coaching and him trying to do too much.

If he had a more defined role than "number eight who also acts as a number six and sometimes drops into the defensive line"....

And I think that's his fault, really, that he's trying to do too much and he just can't cover the ground anymore. He was never that great a defensive player in Europe; at Hereenven he was basically the late trailer into the box, at Chievo he was a number eight, same at Roma. In all of those cases, he had fairly narrow defensive responsibilities.

But as we haven't had a true wrecker since Mattias Laba was let go, we've instead relied on a combo of three number eights, effectively, as if we were playing 'Total Football' and had eleven guys who were interchangeable.

But neither he nor Delgado was as effective anymore at covering ground and it really showed. Delgado got very sloppy with his passing and marking, Bradley was terrible at pressing and covering last season.

Maybe under his father, he ends up playing and sticking to more rigorous zones and will be expected to cover less ground. Priso, certainly, feels as if he could turn into an exceptional number six. He closes off passing lanes, he tackles well, he holds up the ball to bring the rest of the play ahead, he can pass, he's fast.

If Priso is getting most of the number six minutes and we're rotating Bradley, Osorio and Okello ahead of him, we might get a substantially more effective MB again.

[AdamAM]

While I'd agree this has often been the case, I also think it's worth asking how much of that is physical decline and how much of it is just poor coaching and him trying to do too much.

If he had a more defined role than "number eight who also acts as a number six and sometimes drops into the defensive line"....

And I think that's his fault, really, that he's trying to do too much and he just can't cover the ground anymore. He was never that great a defensive player in Europe; at Hereenven he was basically the late trailer into the box, at Chievo he was a number eight, same at Roma. In all of those cases, he had fairly narrow defensive responsibilities.

But as we haven't had a true wrecker since Mattias Laba was let go, we've instead relied on a combo of three number eights, effectively, as if we were playing 'Total Football' and had eleven guys who were interchangeable.

But neither he nor Delgado was as effective anymore at covering ground and it really showed. Delgado got very sloppy with his passing and marking, Bradley was terrible at pressing and covering last season.

Maybe under his father, he ends up playing and sticking to more rigorous zones and will be expected to cover less ground. Priso, certainly, feels as if he could turn into an exceptional number six. He closes off passing lanes, he tackles well, he holds up the ball to bring the rest of the play ahead, he can pass, he's fast.

If Priso is getting most of the number six minutes and we're rotating Bradley, Osorio and Okello ahead of him, we might get a substantially more effective MB again.

Exactly this. I've been witness to some goals caused by him as well, but you don't lose the football IQ that got you to play at Roma as an American and score bundles of goals in the Dutch league as a midfielder by accident. We have been spoiled by him and frankly he's turned into a whipping boy because he never complains and he doesn't mind taking the blame when it's necessary. He's a model captain and it's shocking to me to see people want to ship out what is the most loyal club servant we have ever seen here at TFC.

[MightyDM]

A couple of years ago (2019) people were all over MB on these boards so I paid lots of attention to him in home games, watching his movement etc and virtually ignoring the ball and the rest of the game. and his movement off the ball and general control of the game was superb. I am not questioning that he has lost a step, and agree the Delgado - Oso combo was excellent, but I am loathe to write him off because of what I saw then, which was a player far far better than thought. Class is permanent.

[noxx98]

A couple of years ago (2019) people were all over MB on these boards so I paid lots of attention to him in home games, watching his movement etc and virtually ignoring the ball and the rest of the game. and his movement off the ball and general control of the game was superb. I am not questioning that he has lost a step, and agree the Delgado - Oso combo was excellent, but I am loathe to write him off because of what I saw then, which was a player far far better than thought. Class is permanent.

Agree with this. I find when he's rested, his body can keep up with his mind. He's generally looked good the first few games of the season and after some extended international breaks. Hopefully a healthy Priso can provide some rotation to him and keep him fresher.

[MikeForbes]

While I'd agree this has often been the case, I also think it's worth asking how much of that is physical decline and how much of it is just poor coaching and him trying to do too much.

If he had a more defined role than "number eight who also acts as a number six and sometimes drops into the defensive line"....

And I think that's his fault, really, that he's trying to do too much and he just can't cover the ground anymore. He was never that great a defensive player in Europe; at Hereenven he was basically the late trailer into the box, at Chievo he was a number eight, same at Roma. In all of those cases, he had fairly narrow defensive responsibilities.

But as we haven't had a true wrecker since Mattias Laba was let go, we've instead relied on a combo of three number eights, effectively, as if we were playing 'Total Football' and had eleven guys who were interchangeable.

But neither he nor Delgado was as effective anymore at covering ground and it really showed. Delgado got very sloppy with his passing and marking, Bradley was terrible at pressing and covering last season.

Maybe under his father, he ends up playing and sticking to more rigorous zones and will be expected to cover less ground. Priso, certainly, feels as if he could turn into an exceptional number six. He closes off passing lanes, he tackles well, he holds up the ball to bring the rest of the play ahead, he can pass, he's fast.

If Priso is getting most of the number six minutes and we're rotating Bradley, Osorio and Okello ahead of him, we might get a substantially more effective MB again.

We would 100% see a more effective Michael Bradley with limited minutes. I think it is a valid fear that his father might not be the guy who limits those minutes though. I am of two minds on this Delgado trade. It opens up minutes for Priso (who I think is very good) and Okello. But, it also opens up the excuse to play MB every minute of every game if one of those two falter.

[Ultra & Proud]

When Bob Bradley did one of his first interviews after being announced he mentioned about some players living off of 2017 and that needed to go. When he said this one of the first players I thought of was Delgado. Now he's gone. There's going to be an element of that in the removals from the roster and for sure Michael has filled him in on what's what and who's who.

[portu]

When Bob Bradley did one of his first interviews after being announced he mentioned about some players living off of 2017 and that needed to go. When he said this one of the first players I thought of was Delgado. Now he's gone. There's going to be an element of that in the removals from the roster and for sure Michael has filled him in on what's what and who's who.

Interesting point. I wonder who else fits in that category. Zavaleta was definitely one. Bono would have to be one as well.

[jabbronies]

Interesting point. I wonder who else fits in that category. Zavaleta was definitely one. Bono would have to be one as well.

There was a crew of them who couldn't let that championship go:

Chapman; Bono; Hagglund; Hamilton; Zavaleta

[Ultra & Proud]

There was a crew of them who couldn't let that championship go:

Chapman; Bono; Hagglund; Hamilton; Zavaleta

It won't be a popular opinion but I had Osorio in that mix too.

[reggie]

MB is already a player coach without the title,yes delgado has a good workrate.but he was crap and a whiner last season

[Bobo]

Fab reported TFC made a proposal to Belotti, who is keeping his options open until he hits free agency.

https://youtu.be/cyBFU8Zxmi4?t=413

[noxx98]

Fab reported TFC made a proposal to Belotti, who is keeping his options open until he hits free agency.

https://youtu.be/cyBFU8Zxmi4?t=413

Just was hunting down that video... starts at around the 7 minute mark.

I'm really interested to see what happens with Belotti, even if he doesn't end up at TFC. Does he sign now or wait until the summer?

[RealG-TFC]

I think he waits for the summer. He may be holding out for a Milan move but they don't seem keen on him.

[portu]

I think he waits for the summer. He may be holding out for a Milan move but they don't seem keen on him.

Players like this immediately disinterest me. Sign players who actually want to be here.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Players like this immediately disinterest me. Sign players who actually want to be here.

For Want Of A Nail...

For want of a nail a horseshoe was lost,
for want of a horseshoe a horse went lame,
for want of a horse a rider never got through,
for want of a rider a message never arrived,
for want of a message an army was never sent,
for want of an army a battle was lost,
for want of a battle a war was lost,
for want of a war a kingdom fell,
and all for want of a nail.

– Unknown

[Mr. Inbetween]

poz leaving unfortunately makes sense.

last year, coming off a poor season and wrong side of 30+ does some of the same stuff on the ball as insigne.

that being said, we need some more bloody players before selling anyone else

I do not think Pozuelo leaving at this time makes any TFC 'football' sense.
IMO Insigne is not Soteldo. Same position, different instincts and style.
Also, IMO Insigne does not = Pozuelo.
IMO, if Insigne can play with Baretta, Jorginho, Verratti, or Mertens and Zielinski, he will play just fine with Pozuelo.

Regarding the latest Pozuelo rumour… just do not know what to believe anymore… everything seems possible…
Apart from this China rumour- not believable IMO, there were rumours of him going to the KSA when MLSPA lockout was a possibility.

IIRC he may be in the last year of his contract? Stated publicly he would like an extension.
Tried confirming contract with Transfermarkt; oddly field seems to be empty.
Some other, third tier, sites suggest contract already expired; 31DEC21.
Molinaro indicates in a recent article that Pozuelo is on his final year.
If so and this is his final year, I hope any preliminary negotiations haven’t stalled given the ongoing flurry of other TFC activity.

I understand he has had on and off field issues to deal with this past season affecting performance.
Given the Insigne signing terms, he may be expecting a proactive good faith gesture; modest bump.
Given his personal circumstances; his cost of 'family' living expenses have likely suddenly increased.

Still, I hope it doesn’t turn into some sort of SG fiasco by way of delay.
How SG felt he got shortchanged by D’Amico and Manning and wanted the money he lost.
I think Pozuelo is still good for TFC; has a good 2-3 years.
I would like the chance for him to play alongside a few similar caliber footballers after the European Summer Window.

Wholeheartedly agree... so much outgoing... please... some incoming... soon.

[portu]

The club is likely going to have three U-22 slots this year and a TAM level DP (Salcedo). Saying this because Akinola is U-22 and they had a deal for that U-22 South African winger fall through this week as well.

[djking2]

The club is likely going to have three U-22 slots this year and a TAM level DP (Salcedo). Saying this because Akinola is U-22 and they had a deal for that U-22 South African winger fall through this week as well.

in this video https://www.torontofc.ca/news/touchl...lub-connection
Bob says the LAFC management had talks about losing the balance between youth and experience aroung the 21 minute mark. It doen't sound to me like he'sa guy who's likely to go with a whole lot of U22 inititiative players.

[Joe Kool]

in this video https://www.torontofc.ca/news/touchl...lub-connection
Bob says the LAFC management had talks about losing the balance between youth and experience aroung the 21 minute mark. It doen't sound to me like he'sa guy who's likely to go with a whole lot of U22 inititiative players.

Sometimes when teams rebuild with a lot of youth the games get quite exciting. I mean, there is value in experienced veteran players, but the energy and excitement of youth playing translates to the game and to the crowd. It won't give you a championship either usually right away as I think you do need that balance with the experience, but the road to get there can be fun if your core of young players stick together year and year and grow. Have seen several European teams do that approach when needing a new direction.

[portu]

An absolutely unreal use of the U-22 slot would be if they ponied up for Alexandro Bernabei at Lanus to replace Kemar Lawrence. It’ll never happen because they would never drop a multi-million dollar transfer fee on a left back, but damn would I love to see Bernabei and Insigne on the same wing.

[ensco]

How’s that Salcedo/Soteldo deal coming along? Seems quiet in the metaverse all of a sudden..

[MikeForbes]

Salcedo will not play in Tigres next game. Looks like things are moving along.

[A Stick]

https://www.torontofc.ca/news/toront...OPbGvUzsEJOhdI

[mowe]

Interesting there’s no mention of a Homegrown contract, unlike Petrasso earlier. Must not have spent enough time in the academy.

[Red CB Toronto]

Interesting there’s no mention of a Homegrown contract, unlike Petrasso earlier. Must not have spent enough time in the academy.

If he was not home grown he would have had to go through the draft and having been a underclassman signed to a Generation Adidas deal.

[rydermike]

MLS Press Release says he is a homegrown signing
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/toron...e%20University.

[Red CB Toronto]

MLS Press Release says he is a homegrown signing
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/toron...e%20University.

That makes total sense being a home grown because the only other way for him to have played in MLS in 2022 was to sign a GA deal and enter the draft.

For instance Jay Chapman was a home grown player and after his senior year at Michigan State he had the choice of signing with Toronto or entering the draft. I do not know the rules of maintaining a players home grown status one they have gone to college ? I wonder if Omar had a choice and chose the draft , did the Reds express interest.

The last TFC academy player I believe to play a season of college and leave early to sign a home grown deal was Matt Stinson who went to Winthrop.