2025 Roster and Transfer Discussion Thread

[gbservis]

Is Shore a DM or a CM because I'm willing to take the growing pains of him playing in the midfield instead of signing someone who'll push him to the bench.

Shore would likely be the odd man out. As talented as he is, there may be valid concerns about starting a 17-year-old for an entire season. Can his body handle the rigors of a full season at such a young age? And if he does manage it, are there any long-term implications to taking on that kind of workload so early in his development?

Edit: and even if we signed a starter Shore would likely still get meaningful playing time, being the first midfield sub off the bench each game and stepping in to start when Keaton or other mids need a night off.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Great players make other players better.

This is the main reason to get KdB if we can. He could change the trajectory of the squad.

My preference would be for someone with his style of game (although of course not at his level) but around 25 years old; I want the guy who's going to be our playmaker for the next five years. But I'd gladly lay my preferences aside for Kevin de Bruyne through 2027.

 

[gbservis]

This is the main reason to get KdB if we can. He could change the trajectory of the squad.

My preference would be for someone with his style of game (although of course not at his level) but around 25 years old; I want the guy who's going to be our playmaker for the next five years. But I'd gladly lay my preferences aside for Kevin de Bruyne through 2027.

I think KDB would be great and certainly make us better, but I'm not buying that he will fix our underperforming wingers. We are not that far removed from 3 years of people complaining about Pirlo being underutilized because our wingers weren't good enough to take advantage of his passing.

 

[KevinJRogers]

We are not that far removed from 3 years of people complaining about Pirlo being underutilized because our wingers weren't good enough to take advantage of his passing.

This is true. And the part about underperforming wingers may be true, too. We're at the point where they should be showing out instead of getting showed up.

But I wouldn't want to try and defend with De Bruyne spraying passes at Alonso and Malachi and whoever else joins the attack. Just those two guys alone as the other points on the triangle would be really tough.

 

[BxLio91]

Shore would likely be the odd man out. As talented as he is, there may be valid concerns about starting a 17-year-old for an entire season. Can his body handle the rigors of a full season at such a young age? And if he does manage it, are there any long-term implications to taking on that kind of workload so early in his development?

Edit: and even if we signed a starter Shore would likely still get meaningful playing time, being the first midfield sub off the bench each game and stepping in to start when Keaton or other mids need a night off.

You're probably right. I'd be the most prudent way to go. I'm just trying to get excited about the team somehow.

 

[gbservis]

You're probably right. I'd be the most prudent way to go. I'm just trying to get excited about the team somehow.

I'm with you, Shore is a joy to watch. I would be very disappointed if they drastically cut his playing time. With leagues cup, open cup and the rest of the season there should still be a ton of minutes to spread around. Especially if Haak becomes a full-time CB.

 

[ezbeezy214]

San Jose doing stuff today. Using all avenues available to help round out the roster. Lee has one lane.

 

[Bane]

David Lee is a football terrorist.

 

[BC19]

Cushing finishing in 6th place last year with that squad is becoming more impressive but the day. Yes, I still think we should’ve moved on from him.

 

[ezbeezy214]

Cushing finishing in 6th place last year with that squad is becoming more impressive but the day. Yes, I still think we should’ve moved on from him.

At least he had Santi and Sands

 

[gbservis]

Cushing finishing in 6th place last year with that squad is becoming more impressive but the day. Yes, I still think we should’ve moved on from him.

It was time to move on, but I still feel bad for Cushing. The guy got 3 years of broken rosters, and then they dumped him. Lee spent over $21M on Jovan, Fernandez, Ojeda and Bakrar. Missed on all 4 and then threw Nick under the bus for not developing them. The guy is a coach not a miracle worker.

 

[ezbeezy214]

At least he had Santi and Sands

Like imagine thinking not replacing them would still allow the team to “compete for championships”. Even with them, the team wasn’t good enough. Couldn’t be me.

 

[JayH]

Like imagine thinking not replacing them would still allow the team to “compete for championships”. Even with them, the team wasn’t good enough. Couldn’t be me.

At this point, I would prefer that they just be honest as to what’s going on even if it’s that we made some mistakes and there may be some struggles over the next season or two, but there are some bigger moves anticipated to open the new stadium etc. It’s better than interviews suggesting that we actually think we are competing for trophies this season and feeding Kitman a script about how every season we have one goal to win etc. Losing our two best players and adding no one speaks for itself, and we are not idiots.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Cushing finishing in 6th place last year with that squad is becoming more impressive but the day. Yes, I still think we should’ve moved on from him.

I thought Nick deserved one more year. He had gotten us through a really challenging transition, all the while taking the heat for Lee and the organization. He should have gotten the chance to see it through.

That being said, I'm really happy with Pascal at gaffer. And check out his answer to the last question in the postgame presser. Woof.

 

[Brooklyn Blue]

I thought Nick deserved one more year. He had gotten us through a really challenging transition, all the while taking the heat for Lee and the organization. He should have gotten the chance to see it through.

That being said, I'm really happy with Pascal at gaffer. And check out his answer to the last question in the postgame presser. Woof.

Hard disagree. Cushing's time was done.

Not giving Lee a pass for roster construction issues, but Cushing's issues went beyond the roster. How many times did the forum, collectively, complain about substitution patterns or strategy? The team may be undermanned and mid-table this year, but Jansen has already improved pattern of play and substitutions are both timely and well considered. As example, last night Jansen made changes at minute 60 and tried to change formation. If it was Cushing, it would have been the 73rd minute and it would have been a defender for defender.

 

[Bane]

Nothing will change until David Lee is removed from continuing his terrorist tactics in this club.

 

[mgarbowski]

Both coaches fired by NYCFC were not given a fair shake by the team and were blamed by fans for things out of their control.
Both also needed to be fired.

 

[KevinJRogers]

Hard disagree. Cushing's time was done.

Not giving Lee a pass for roster construction issues, but Cushing's issues went beyond the roster. How many times did the forum, collectively, complain about substitution patterns or strategy? The team may be undermanned and mid-table this year, but Jansen has already improved pattern of play and substitutions are both timely and well considered. As example, last night Jansen made changes at minute 60 and tried to change formation. If it was Cushing, it would have been the 73rd minute and it would have been a defender for defender.

I don't think that's entirely unfair, although context is needed. The core roster Pascal is working with now has been together longer than the roster Nick had. They're a little more developed and know each other a little better.

But if anyone wants to criticize Nick for his substitution patterns, they have that right and privilege, and it wouldn't be unwarranted. Same with his formations. I thought Nick showed some coaching chops — especially going to three at the back at times — but he didn't have Pascal's creativity, or if he did, he wasn't willing to show it.

And that last point about showing it is important. Pascal is from the University of Dilligaf. He's going to go the way he wants to go, period. If Nick had one crucial flaw, it was being too much of a company man.

 

[ezbeezy214]

At this point, I would prefer that they just be honest as to what’s going on even if it’s that we made some mistakes and there may be some struggles over the next season or two, but there are some bigger moves anticipated to open the new stadium etc. It’s better than interviews suggesting that we actually think we are competing for trophies this season and feeding Kitman a script about how every season we have one goal to win etc. Losing our two best players and adding no one speaks for itself, and we are not idiots.

We don’t even get interviews. Just doctored social media clips.

 

[ezbeezy214]

I thought Nick deserved one more year. He had gotten us through a really challenging transition, all the while taking the heat for Lee and the organization. He should have gotten the chance to see it through.

That being said, I'm really happy with Pascal at gaffer. And check out his answer to the last question in the postgame presser. Woof.

Got one year too many