Looking Ahead - Winter Window

[Kjbert]

A 3-4-2-1 (the formation Chelsea used last year) is one I have advocated on here before.

That formation has Villa up top, with Harrison and Maxi working underneath him. Maxi is in more of the Hazard role and Harrison is wider in the Pedro role. Underneath, you have your LWB (Wallace or Matarrita) with Ring and Herrera shielding your back line. A RWB joins them. I don't know that we have one of those on the roster right now. Behind them, you have Callens as your LCB, Chanot as either your Sweeper or RCB and another player joins them. Johson in goal.

In that formation, a number of things have to happen. You need to either sign a RCB or Chanot moves there. You need to sign a RWB or Harrison moves there. If that's the case, then you are removing your second best goal threat from the offensive attack.

 

[Marito]

More potential, less options. My opinion is that it's totally different when you are talking about an English kid vs. a South American.

Facey was just lacking self-awareness regarding his ability. He's marginally good bench quality in MLS, and probably too poor of a value for that to be a real option.

After leaving us, Shay Facey has spent time in the English 3rd division, and a loan spell at a midtable Eredivisie club that was not renewed, presumably because of lack of interest from the Dutch club. Now he's back with ManCity U23 at age 22. It looks like he's trending down, so yeah I think Midas is right that he could go wherever he wanted because of his passport. But what he and the club learnt is that he's not wanted in many places. Herrera is a completely different situation.

 

[Jon]

Random hypothetical question that I'd love to get thoughts on.

With the the ability to get a new DP over the winter. Would you rather....

• European/South American DP
• USMNT DP

Assume all things being equal (position, quality of player)

 

[Futbolkicks]

Random hypothetical question that I'd love to get thoughts on.

With the the ability to get a new DP over the winter. Would you rather....

• European/South American DP
• USMNT DP

Assume all things being equal (position, quality of player)

A young South American player.

 

[Marito]

A young South American player.

An Argentinian or Brazilian player so he won't be called up for NT duty. Even more specific, a fast and skinny Brazilian LW who can shoot "folha seca" free kicks.

 

[LeeNYCFC]

• A guy who the refs will allow to be fouled constantly (European/South American DP)
• A guy who will get every benefit of the doubt and have to shiv someone to draw a card (USMNT DP)

Assume all things being equal (position, quality of player)

Updated the options

 

[Kjbert]

The guy can be from the South Pole if he's worth the DP tag. It sucks to have guys called away during international breaks, but it's a long season and the playoffs are all that matters as Portland and Seattle have shown

 

[LionNYC]

Random hypothetical question that I'd love to get thoughts on.

With the the ability to get a new DP over the winter. Would you rather....

• European/South American DP
• USMNT DP

Assume all things being equal (position, quality of player)

What USMNT DP is available that would be worth it? Fabian Johnson is the only one to go for but we can get someone who fits our system better.

 

[sbrylski]

What USMNT DP is available that would be worth it? Fabian Johnson is the only one to go for but we can get someone who fits our system better.

Fabian Johnson would fit our system great, no? LB or LW in the 4-3-3, or maybe best at LM in a flat 3-4-3. That said, other than LW, I don't think I want a DP at LB or LM. That said x2, he's not coming to MLS.

 

[Jon]

What USMNT DP is available that would be worth it? Fabian Johnson is the only one to go for but we can get someone who fits our system better.

Just a hypothetical. I'm just questioning which people would prefer.

 

[LionNYC]

Just a hypothetical. I'm just questioning which people would prefer.

A South American player would be cheaper since an agent for a USMNT team player would want top dollar for an American playing in America. Regardless of the unlimited funds that be paid to a DP, it's not worth it if it's not worth it. We have a more expensive bench that team's have full rosters.

 

[Marito]

Just a hypothetical. I'm just questioning which people would prefer.

I think it's just a matter of individual players. A few years back there was the assumption that USMNT players were the only non-retirement age DP-caliber guys willing to come to the MLS. Come back home, so to speak. But that trend doesn't exist anymore, if it ever did. So right now it's more an issue of seeing which really high DP caliber guys are willing to come. For example, guys in Arsenal's roster who really really need a change of scenery and are not a pipe dream for us. So no Alexis or Ozil, but maybe clear subs like Debuchy or Joel Campbell or even a guy like Lucas Perez. I just mention Arsenal because it's due for a massive rebuilt.

 

[gbservis]

Random hypothetical question that I'd love to get thoughts on.

With the the ability to get a new DP over the winter. Would you rather....

• European/South American DP
• USMNT DP

Assume all things being equal (position, quality of player)

All things being equal I don't care where the player is from as long as they are a top quality DP that fits our system and provide a substantial upgrade to our starting 11. Why would it matter where the player is from?

 

[Jon]

All things being equal I don't care where the player is from as long as they are a top quality DP that fits our system and provide a substantial upgrade to our starting 11. Why would it matter where the player is from?

With players leaving for WCQ I wonder if the negatives of having a DP quality US player who could be called up to play for the national team and miss games outweigh the positives, like name recognition, etc.

 

[dannd23]

Fabian Johnson is not leaving Gladbach til after the World Cup.

If we added a player like Joel Campbell to this attack it wouldn't even be fair...

 

[Jon]

Fabian Johnson is not leaving Gladbach til after the World Cup.

If we added a player like Joel Campbell to this attack it wouldn't even be fair...

What are the chances of getting Campbell or similar quality?

 

[sbrylski]

Sticking with the theory that we will play some type of 3-man backline next year, the DP will hopefully be a striker:

---------------Villa--------????----------------
------------------------------------------------
--Wallace-----------Moralez-----------Harrison--
------------------------------------------------
-------------Ring-------------Herrera-----------
------------------------------------------------
-----Callens---------Chanot--------Ferraresi----
------------------------------------------------
--------------------Johnson---------------------

 

[dannd23]

What are the chances of getting Campbell or similar quality?

I think good. He is a great but not elite player. Not good enough to really play much for Arsenal but can start for any team in the EPL outside of the top 6-7 probably. Best part is, his contract ends in June, so Arsenal would be smart to sell him in January and get a little money out of him.

He is also the type of player we should be going after IMO. He is a young LW, but can also play striker. Villa isn't getting any younger. Would be nice to have a DP able to replace Villa if Villa gets injured or has international duty.

Him or a player of his quality would be excellent in MLS.

 

[gbservis]

I think good. He is a great but not elite player. Not good enough to really play much for Arsenal but can start for any team in the EPL outside of the top 6-7 probably. Best part is, his contract ends in June, so Arsenal would be smart to sell him in January and get a little money out of him.

He is also the type of player we should be going after IMO. He is a young LW, but can also play striker. Villa isn't getting any younger. Would be nice to have a DP able to replace Villa if Villa gets injured or has international duty.

Him or a player of his quality would be excellent in MLS.

Super talented but he seems to check out for long stretches and doesn't show a very high work rate. If he can't be bothered to try when he's fighting for playing time with Arsenal can you imagine how lazy he'd be for us?

 

[gbservis]

Sticking with the theory that we will play some type of 3-man backline next year, the DP will hopefully be a striker:

---------------Villa--------????----------------
------------------------------------------------
--Wallace-----------Moralez-----------Harrison--
------------------------------------------------
-------------Ring-------------Herrera-----------
------------------------------------------------
-----Callens---------Chanot--------Ferraresi----
------------------------------------------------
--------------------Johnson---------------------

A three man backline would explain why we've done so little to upgrade the LB/RB positions. Another top quality striker next to Villa would be amazing. If the player was a larger hold up type player that could shield Villa from some of the physical load he's taking right now, even better.