"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
If it’s Mertens, I’d lose my shit. He’s as good, if not better then Seba was when he left.
I’d rather get a player at a decent age (under 30) with more upside potential. So probably not a big pedigree name. I realize that there is some risk with that choice, but I’d like this player to perform at a high level for years to come with the Reds. Considering Jozy will be most likely be unavailable for good stretches of the season, it’s very important that we have a younger, healthy and reliable guy that can pot goals on a regular basis.
Last edited by Thomas; 12-14-2019 at 07:35 PM.
2 year contract would be a good idea for Mertens This team is going to go through a lot of changes after 2021.
When Seba first got here? I don’t think it’s as much of a difference as you’re making it out. He was a starter for the best team in Italy, and once he went a bit of cold spell, he never got a chance to start again. He could have started on any team in Italy not named Juve, and maybe Napoli. His best soccer was when he came here. He showed it during qualifying for Italy too. Was a difference maker.
Mertens is dominate though... if this is who we’re after.
i doubt its mertens..some big euro teams are interested in him like MU and BD
I have shares in Parma Calcio 1913...get to be in on club decisions Gervinho not going anywhere...extended deal...has special side deal with property attached..in Italy...after Rome and China his agent reached out to Parma loves Italy is fluent in Italian...even thought about citizen switch from Ivory Coast to Italy
Why does anyone think we would go young with the slot? Only Atlanta uses DPs to try to acquire serious assets for the world market. It'll be interesting to see how that turns out in 2-3 years, but that is a big experiment.
A lot of teams cheap out on them. Would you be thrilled with Katai?
Big money DPs are older players with at least a bit of name recognition that sell tickets.
This is business. Be happy we are spending.
Last edited by ensco; 12-15-2019 at 08:49 AM.
"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
I agree, definitely in terms of brand perception and career.
however some of those mid to late 20's players have come in and have been better
Vela, Pozuelo, Giovinco and Valeri are the best players to come in there mid 20s. All have unique stories.
Martinez, De Rossi, Almiron, Barco and Brian Rodriguez are the best players to come in there teens/early 20s but doesn't look like we're going this way.
Ibrahamovic, David Villa, Kaka, Drogba, Keane, Henry the best value 30s + players to come.
Teams that having been winning the last 5 years in MLS, have been doing it with dp's in there early to mid 20's, Seattle, Atlanta, Toronto and Portland.
I added the best seasons in MLS the last decade with age. If they said they are targeting a player in there young 30's, we would be getting him at 31 or 32 minimum I would guess. On that list, 3 players are older then 31. David Villa, Zlatan and Keane. Valeri was 31. Da Vaio had a good year in MLS in his 30s as well, so did Drogba, Kaka and a few others. But we will need an elite 30+ player like Mertens or Luis Suarez (unlikely)
Rank Player Age Goals Assists Total Team Success 1 Carlos Vela 30 34 15 49 Supporter Shield 2 Sebastian Giovinco 28 22 16 38 MLS Cup 3 Josef Martinez 25 31 6 37 MLS Cup 4 Zlatan Ibrahimović 37 30 7 37 Nothing 5 Robbie Keane 34 19 14 33 MLS cup 6 Diego Valeri 31 21 11 32 MLS cup 7 David Villa 35 22 9 31 Nothing 8 Miguel Almiron 24 12 14 26 MLS cup 9 Bradley Wright Phillips 29 27 2 29 Nothing 10 Chris Wondowolski 29 27 7 33 Nothing
Mertens would be unbelievable but I won’t hold my breath. Don’t forget that this is in addition to a rested Pozuelo do it’s not like we’re only targeting 30+ yr olds.
From an FO perspective I can see them wanting a name. The type that gets butts in the seats. I would have zero issues with that. Building the brand is incredibly important as we continue to grow and it will impact who we can sign in the future.
My main concern is I'm still assuming we're going after a player to mainly play on the wing, and that's probably the least effective position on the field for a 30-something year old to play - a winger's prime years tend to be in his mid to early twenties before his speed starts going.
Obviously there are still tons of good wingers in their thirties around, and someone on DP wages can still be good at that position in MLS
Wait so going off of what Manning said and assuming we want our third DP to look like this:
- Primarily a winger (preferably on the left)
- Also very comfortable playing as a striker
- Early 30's
- Top four league (feel like he's thinking Germany or Italy if he refers to it as top 4)
- Name recognition
- Maybe needs a fresh start after a nightmare year or two
- Can connect with some of Toronto's largest immigrant communities (i.e. Italy, Portugal) - even playing in for example the Italian or Portuguese league in this case could work
- BONUS: Hey the players who played in the U20 WC Canada - and mainly BMO Field - hosted are all 30-32 years old now. Wonder if players from the teams who played at BMO a lot would want to return to a venue which would have helped launch their pro careers
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Welcome to Toronto Alexis Sanchez!!!!!!!!????!!?!?!?!?!?!?
He'd give Jozy a run for his money for propensity to injury