I'm thinking more like a RB/CB type rather than a RB/RW type. Was going to suggest Eric Lichaj but didn't think he had the right style either.
2017 Roster Discussion
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I'm thinking more like a RB/CB type rather than a RB/RW type. Was going to suggest Eric Lichaj but didn't think he had the right style either.
I'll throw out an opinion to see if it sticks: I think right back could be the key to unlock our entire formation/personnel.
Everyone agrees that improving the defense is an offseason priority. But everyone is focusing on our defense up the middle, when an extremely sizable portion of our defensive struggles were down the wings. Both Matarrita and Allen have struggles with effectively tracking back, and Vieira tried multiple players at RB to correct this issue (White, Hernandez, Iraola) that were massive failures.
A quality right back would do a ton of things for us tactically. First, it would obviously improve our defense down the right wing. Second, it would likely improve our set piece defense. Third, it would unlock Matarrita to realize his full offensive potential, with less of a concern placed on ensuring defensive coverage. Fourth, it would improve our passing out of the back. Fifth, it would allow us to shift into a three-man backline comfortably whenever necessary, which would also allow Chanot to step into a sweeper role and maximize his impact.
In contrast, a great CDM would also be a good addition, but it wouldn't solve our issues with defending down the sidelines, it wouldn't really unlock Matarrita to go forward on offense, and it wouldn't help with formation flexibility.
I'm not saying we should sign a DP RB, just that it may be an extremely critical spot. It may have been our worse position last year.
Here's what I'm imagining:
If we can grab a quality defense RB, we could afford to find a solid yet reasonably priced CM/CDM to play next to Pirlo and have a very strong defensive shape with the ability to pass out of the back. Plus, we can make sure we leverage our DP spot into a player with an attacking player (any of the top four). This roster probably still needs another attacking player and another midfielder for depth, but I would be very happy with this for an opening day starting lineup.
To throw out some names for the spots, I've brought up Alvarado for RB a few times, and Will Johnson would be a good CM/CDM option. Any other suggestions?
It's a valid point a that I fully agree with. If we want to try to play 4-3-3 with Mata at LB we need a RB with the CB like abilities as you are suggesting. But if we are saying Mata and our midfield are so bad at D that we need a CB like RB to cover for them, why not just find another CB then and play a 3-5-2 with Mata at LM?
I would advocate for a RB who can pinch in when we have the ball in the opposition half. This is something that Vieira was trying to get Allen to do in the final weeks of the season with limited success. Allen is a player who is lost when he's not hugging the line.
If we have a RB and an LB who can play inside then it's possible we can play with Pirlo as our lone CDM which means we can go after a younger, more attack-minded CM.
Afful's name has come up in association with Mix going to the Crew. I think he could do it. I don't have a ton of other names up my sleeve though.
I suppose that's basically what I'm suggesting. My top suggestion *is* a CB that just happens to have good pace and could play on the outside. The base formation would basically be a 3-4-3.
I have a feeling Vieira may be thinking about bringing a couple of players from Manchester City next season. One player I would like to see is Thierry Ambrose, who isn't 20 until March 2017. He has been so unlucky with injuries the last couple of seasons and I believe he needs to play against stronger opposition than reserve team football. He has pace, strength and an eye for goal. He can play up front or from the right and would be a very good addition to the squad.
Good point, this hasn't been brought up in a while. With all the "get younger" rhetoric, this has to be on the table. Vieira really pushed for CB Tosin Adarabioyo last year, IIRC.
Is Pablo Maffeo still a loan option at RB? A CM or DCM would also get a ton of playing time here, think Lopez replacement. Time to start kicking these names around. Nothing else NYCFC-related to talk about.
As far as I am aware Tosin hasn't signed a new contract and will be out of contract in the summer. It will be a tragedy if he leaves our club. I really rate this kid. I personally don't think he will come to the MLS. He wants to push on and play first team football in England.
The difficulty with trying to convince young players to go to New York is that they are looking to gain first team football in which they consider to be in a stronger league. That means in England or Europe.
A couple of players who could do well here are Kean Bryan and Jack Byrne. Jack is on loan at Blackburn but not getting much game time which I find surprising as he has a lot of quality. Kean had an injury earlier this season and I don't know if he is match fit. Both are midfielders, although Kean played at centre half under PV for the EDS, which many fans felt was very strange.
The difficulty with trying to convince young players to go to New York is that they are looking to gain first team football in which they consider to be in a stronger league. That means in England or Europe.
A couple of players who could do well here are Kean Bryan and Jack Byrne. Jack is on loan at Blackburn but not getting much game time which I find surprising as he has a lot of quality. Kean had an injury earlier this season and I don't know if he is match fit. Both are midfielders, although Kean played at centre half under PV for the EDS, which many fans felt was very strange.
One young player who I would love to see in New York is Jadon Sancho. He is only 16 and people will probably think he is too young, but he could benefit greatly from playing against senior pros. He is probably the most exciting youngster at our Academy.
Another young player who may benefit from playing against senior pros, and many would say is better than Sancho is Brahim Diaz who is 17 and has been playing at a higher level than Jadon.
He started off very well at Blackburn, but as struggled for game time. He does have the skills and I would definitely say he can make an impact in the MLS.
Well another young player who the club have great hopes for and is only 16 is Phil Foden. He is an attacking midfielder
Sancho and Foden are both playing the same stage that Marcus Rashford was playing for United last season. Now he is playing for England.
Sancho and Foden are both playing the same stage that Marcus Rashford was playing for United last season. Now he is playing for England.
Harrison was only 18 this year and looked comfortable. I suppose it depends on maturity level, but I could stretch that to 17.
Brahim has become stronger since that vid. He has been a regular in the under 21's for the last year. The difficulty with these youngsters is finding them playing time where they can develop. It would be interesting to see Brahim or Jadon at New York to see if they could adapt to the physical nature of the league. I don't doubt their skill.
The kid definitely has class. But yeah he could definitely benefit from getting knocked around by grown men for a season or two, he likes to go down a bit too easy.
Which is why players like Ambrose and Byrne would be better if they could be persuaded it was a step forward in their careers.
Another two players are Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (forward) and Aaron Nemane (winger) who have pace and skill. They are 18 & 19 and have been regulars in the EDS for a few seasons.
I think 16 is too young to be unleashing on MLS. Let them have more time in development. MCFC have plenty of players in the 18-19 age bracket who could come to NYC without having to look at 16 year olds.
Do you think the comments and interviews from Lampard and Gerrard suggesting more young players from PL team consider MLS will have any impact in the near to intermediate term? I'm sure long-term, it will add to the subconscious status perception, but I'm curious if you think those guys could or would help sell a player on coming here.
I guess since we can say Frank's relationship with CFG is over, he wouldn't be bothered to sell an academy/marginal talent kid for us. But I wish (hope) I would be wrong there. I'd love for us to do more to get those guys who hit 21-22 and aren't making the top squad - basically, we need to do more to get the Sebastian Lletgets of the world. He was easy for LAG, since he was from Cali. But I think (hope) we could get to a place where we sign similar, non-American kids in the near future IF we make the right efforts.
And just to continue my thoughts: there is no reason Facey should have gone back to England. He's not ever playing in the premier league. He could have stayed here and become a fixture in a team that commands a serious wage and notoriety. Plus, he would be seen as a groundbreaker.
Instead, he will bounce about Championship teams if he is lucky because he lacks some of the attributes most key for him succeeding in that league.
I don't know if he was offered an option to stay here, as I don't think he was particularly good (although I think he would have potentially been good for us as a ball-playing CB). But if he were, and he turned it down, then he is delusional as hell about where he is going in English football.
Instead, he will bounce about Championship teams if he is lucky because he lacks some of the attributes most key for him succeeding in that league.
I don't know if he was offered an option to stay here, as I don't think he was particularly good (although I think he would have potentially been good for us as a ball-playing CB). But if he were, and he turned it down, then he is delusional as hell about where he is going in English football.
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