2017 Summer Signings

[Gotham Gator]

We "bought out" Mix for MLS Salary Cap purposes. He is still under contract with MLS. The Club is responsible for paying his salary, but his compensation does not count against our cap. He is not considered attached to NYC. He is technically on waivers - any MLS club can pick him up if they are willing to pay his salary.

What does this mean if he is sold? I don't know. I strongly suspect that once we waived him, we gave up any right to receive GAM from a sale of Mix. He isn't our player anymore. If MLS is able to get a transfer fee for him, then it seems to me MLS gets to keep that money. The Club would benefit because it wouldn't have to cover his salary any longer, but none of that hits the cap anymore, so it's of little concern to fans.

I think this is all academic anyway, as I can't envision another club paying a transfer fee for him under the circumstances.

 

[Kjbert]

You realize that if you're 99% sure those three mystery players are being signed, then there's a 99% chance that we're dropping three players in one form or another (trade/sell/retire). So far, the odds you gave for the other items aren't balancing.

I think all of the following players could be gone mid-season:

Pirlo
Matarrita
Brillant
Allen
Gomez
McNamara
Johanssen

We're also 2-4 players below the maximum threshold depending on who we sign. James Sands is a MF that doesn't hit the 28, but hits the 30 I believe.

 

[gbservis]

I think all of the following players could be gone mid-season:

Pirlo
Matarrita
Brillant
Allen
Gomez
McNamara
Johanssen

We're also 2-4 players below the maximum threshold depending on who we sign. James Sands is a MF that doesn't hit the 28, but hits the 30 I believe.

Wow, Pirlo leaving would give us a ton of flexibility. He certainly looks checked out but $3m is a lot of money to leave on the table. Rumor has been assistant coach for Conte, how much does EPL assistant get paid? Also, whats the rule on coaching badges? We always hear ex-played so and so is working on their badges, does Pirlo need them to be an assistant?

Not sure how we unload Brillant at his current salary, he and Allen also seem like key depth players we can't afford to loose at this point. PV also seems conservative when it comes to large scale mid season changes so while I mostly agree your list is a good summary of the possibilities I think the total number of moves will be small.

 

[SoupInNYC]

I think all of the following players could be gone mid-season:

Pirlo
Matarrita
Brillant
Allen
Gomez
McNamara
Johanssen

We're also 2-4 players below the maximum threshold depending on who we sign. James Sands is a MF that doesn't hit the 28, but hits the 30 I believe.

I hope that Pirlo is gone mid-season, but I'm not going to get my hopes up too high.

I don't see Allen, Gomez, Brillant, or Johansen leaving though. Gomez or Johansen potentially on loan somewhere, but I can't imagine them transferring out.

 

[Ulrich]

I think all of the following players could be gone mid-season:

Pirlo
Matarrita
Brillant
Allen
Gomez
McNamara
Johanssen

We're also 2-4 players below the maximum threshold depending on who we sign. James Sands is a MF that doesn't hit the 28, but hits the 30 I believe.

Ah, Sands... forgot about the possibility of signing him. He could have helped at RSL.

What's different about his possible signing is that we don't have to wait to do it - he can be brought on board at any time. IMG's semester ends May 30, so perhaps he signs right after that? If not, then he's waiting to see how his stock soars with the U17WC.

 

[Questionable8]

REPORT: Ulises Segura linked to MLS - NYCFC, DC United allegedly among summer contenders for the Costa Rican midfielder

 

[JGarrettLieb]

Wow, Pirlo leaving would give us a ton of flexibility. He certainly looks checked out but $3m is a lot of money to leave on the table. Rumor has been assistant coach for Conte, how much does EPL assistant get paid? Also, whats the rule on coaching badges? We always hear ex-played so and so is working on their badges, does Pirlo need them to be an assistant?

Not sure how we unload Brillant at his current salary, he and Allen also seem like key depth players we can't afford to loose at this point. PV also seems conservative when it comes to large scale mid season changes so while I mostly agree your list is a good summary of the possibilities I think the total number of moves will be small.

That $3mm figure is equal to the 17th highest paid coach in the world (in January) total yearlong salary. That coach was Claudio Ranieri.

http://www.totalsportek.com/money/highest-paid-football-managers/

There is no chance Pirlo retires he wouldn't be getting anywhere near equivalent money elsewhere. And if he's riding the bench so what? From his perspective a soccer player's day is about 4-6 hours long, and he's basically getting $3mm to study for his coaching badges for a few months. As a personal financial decision for Andrea Pirlo, the human being, retiring early is stupid as all hell. So what if he gets frozen out of the club and gets the Mix treatment. His retirement is at the end of the season anyway and he's getting $3mm anyway.

A man can take an immense number of personal and professional slights if the people doing the slighting are paying him $16,500 a day for the privilege.

 

[Ulrich]

That $3mm figure is equal to the 17th highest paid coach in the world (in January) total yearlong salary. That coach was Claudio Ranieri.

http://www.totalsportek.com/money/highest-paid-football-managers/

There is no chance Pirlo retires he wouldn't be getting anywhere near equivalent money elsewhere. And if he's riding the bench so what? From his perspective a soccer player's day is about 4-6 hours long, and he's basically getting $3mm to study for his coaching badges for a few months. As a personal financial decision for Andrea Pirlo, the human being, retiring early is stupid as all hell. So what if he gets frozen out of the club and gets the Mix treatment. His retirement is at the end of the season anyway and he's getting $3mm anyway.

A man can take an immense number of personal and professional slights if the people doing the slighting are paying him $16,500 a day for the privilege.

All good points. Maybe CFG can have a gentlemen's agreement to hire Pirlo as a $3M consultant next year??? Nothing in writing, just a firm handshake and kiss on each cheek.

 

[ktdNYCFC]

I hope he realizes he'd have to speak if he were a coach. Although I guess he could just point here and there, and occasionally miss a free kick demonstration.

 

[mgarbowski]

That $3mm figure is equal to the 17th highest paid coach in the world (in January) total yearlong salary. That coach was Claudio Ranieri.

http://www.totalsportek.com/money/highest-paid-football-managers/

There is no chance Pirlo retires he wouldn't be getting anywhere near equivalent money elsewhere. And if he's riding the bench so what? From his perspective a soccer player's day is about 4-6 hours long, and he's basically getting $3mm to study for his coaching badges for a few months. As a personal financial decision for Andrea Pirlo, the human being, retiring early is stupid as all hell. So what if he gets frozen out of the club and gets the Mix treatment. His retirement is at the end of the season anyway and he's getting $3mm anyway.

A man can take an immense number of personal and professional slights if the people doing the slighting are paying him $16,500 a day for the privilege.

This is completely fair, and I really have little hope he would retire midsummer.
But, his financial situation is considerably different from Mix. Even though the $3mm he would get is more than the $800k or so (I think) Mix was owed, his net worth is likely so much higher than Mix that it has to count for less. Now I understand that professional athletes count their last dollar (or Pound or Euro) when it comes to their paychecks, but after taxes that $3 million is closer to $1.5. If he finishes the season here, he gets at most a half season of coaching experience net season on his resume, and maybe has to wait out another whole year.

So as noted I do think it is highly unlikely that he leaves, but I put the odds in the 5-10% range rather than <2% range I use for the essentially impossible (even those don't get 0% because black swans happen on occasion).

 

[JGarrettLieb]

This is completely fair, and I really have little hope he would retire midsummer.
But, his financial situation is considerably different from Mix. Even though the $3mm he would get is more than the $800k or so (I think) Mix was owed, his net worth is likely so much higher than Mix that it has to count for less. Now I understand that professional athletes count their last dollar (or Pound or Euro) when it comes to their paychecks, but after taxes that $3 million is closer to $1.5. If he finishes the season here, he gets at most a half season of coaching experience net season on his resume, and maybe has to wait out another whole year.

So as noted I do think it is highly unlikely that he leaves, but I put the odds in the 5-10% range rather than <2% range I use for the essentially impossible (even those don't get 0% because black swans happen on occasion).

So your saying that Pirlo, il Maestro, the man known for his ability to place passes on a dime and his immense tactical knowledge has his CV harmed because he sat out of coaching for half a year? Because he was riding out a last fat paycheck with those silly Americans and their laughable MLS.

Let alone the fact that, financially, hes going to make more take home in 6 months than he will top line in a new coaching job.

Yeah I'm not seeing it.

I'm putting it at a charitable one percent. Because $3mm in private gambling winnings are completely legal on your tax forms. All you have to do is go to las vegas with the right person, wink wink nudge nudge. But being honest CFG doesn't like us enough for that.

 

[sbrylski]

Pirlo's already retired in his mind.

 

[Kjbert]

Pirlo's already retired in his mind.

I want to disagree with this, but the evidence doesn't allow me to. Some people come to NYC to enjoy the fact that they get to live here. I thought that would be Lampard, but when he was healthy, that wasn't the case

 

[dannd23]

IF Pirlo were to retire say tomorrow, what position do you add for DP mid summer? Frees up another INT spot, too.

 

[Kjbert]

IF Pirlo were to retire say tomorrow, what position do you add for DP mid summer? Frees up another INT spot, too.

I think you add a DP thinking about 2018. It could be an out and out winger or a Central Midfielder.

 

[sbrylski]

IF Pirlo were to retire say tomorrow, what position do you add for DP mid summer? Frees up another INT spot, too.

Clearly a CM, I think. Probably an 8 with either attacking or defending tendencies rather than true 6 or true 10, because they all end up playing like fluid 8's anyway.

Santi Cazorla best option on a free. Villa could talk him into it.

Or despite what I said above, Lucas Leiva as a true 6 would be awesome, also on a free.

 

[Gotham Gator]

I want to disagree with this, but the evidence doesn't allow me to. Some people come to NYC to enjoy the fact that they get to live here. I thought that would be Lampard, but when he was healthy, that wasn't the case

To be fair, Pirlo has not been healthy - the knee is apparently not a new development.

 

[Kjbert]

Clearly a CM, I think. Probably an 8 with either attacking or defending tendencies rather than true 6 or true 10, because they all end up playing like fluid 8's anyway.

Santi Cazorla best option on a free. Villa could talk him into it.

Or despite what I said above, Lucas Leiva as a true 6 would be awesome, also on a free.

Cazorla is very interesting. A healthy Cazorla is the best player MLS has ever seen - and I am including Giovinco, Beckham and Villa in that. I don't know if he is healthy. He could play as a deep lying "6," as a true box to box midfielder or as a creative 10, similar to what Maxi is doing now. But where do you fit him? Herrera is here for the whole season and has made an incredible difference in how we play. He completes the team. Ring may be our MVP. Maxi is a DP that you just signed.

You don't move Cazorla wide. Maybe you move Maxi wide left and have Cazorla do a better impression of Maxi?

Maybe Cazorla can get a Nigel De Jong contract too.

 

[adam]

Cazorla is very interesting. A healthy Cazorla is the best player MLS has ever seen - and I am including Giovinco, Beckham and Villa in that. I don't know if he is healthy. He could play as a deep lying "6," as a true box to box midfielder or as a creative 10, similar to what Maxi is doing now. But where do you fit him? Herrera is here for the whole season and has made an incredible difference in how we play. He completes the team. Ring may be our MVP. Maxi is a DP that you just signed.

You don't move Cazorla wide. Maybe you move Maxi wide left and have Cazorla do a better impression of Maxi?

Maybe Cazorla can get a Nigel De Jong contract too.

That's why I'm thinking we sign a FB. Any other position turns a valuable starter into a depth player. And in a low capped league we can't do that.

 

[Christopher Jee]

That's why I'm thinking we sign a FB. Any other position turns a valuable starter into a depth player. And in a low capped league we can't do that.

Agreed. Ethan White has been overlapping pretty well recently but I have to believe we hold the ball long enough for a classier FB to do it way more often. Or at least help hold the ball in that area high up the pitch.