NYCFC Players Wanted Thread

What's the story?
https://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/02/05/john-harkes

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Alexi Lalas did a podcast maybe a year ago in which he interviewed Steve Sampson, the U.S. coach at the time, and at least half of it was about this incident, and how the coach found out and made the decision to drop Harkes.
 
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I thought Naingolaan was headed to Chelsea? It was like the worst kept secret in all of sports.
 
I thought Naingolaan was headed to Chelsea? It was like the worst kept secret in all of sports.

He was linked to Chelsea and United the whole end of 2017. CSL is a dumb move for money. He's had a falling out with the national club, so he probably doesn't give a crap where he plays now. I bet he moves on after a year.
 
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He was linked to Chelsea and United the whole end of 2017. CSL is a dumb move for money. He's had a falling out with the national club, so he probably doesn't give a crap where he plays now. I bet he moves on after a year.
Can we and should we have him? Is he more defensive but less offensive than Vidal?
 
He was linked to Chelsea and United the whole end of 2017. CSL is a dumb move for money. He's had a falling out with the national club, so he probably doesn't give a crap where he plays now. I bet he moves on after a year.

Athletes have a very short time period to make money. I will never disparage someone for following the dollars. There are always downsides to that - see what Giovinco is going through - but the upside is a guy like Giovinco quadrupled his income.
 
Can we and should we have him? Is he more defensive but less offensive than Vidal?

They are very very similar. Vidal is the closest comparison. Vidal is a tad bigger and does get more offensive than Radja. They both have off the field issues, both super aggressive and passionate. They are similar defensively. I like Vidal better, but he's not far off...plus I think Vidal is the most well rounded box to box mid in the world. So that's saying something about Radja. Those are my top two. After them you have Matuidi, Pogba, Dembele, Keita...but they can't match the defensive work that Vidal, Radja do. That's just my opinion.
 
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They are very very similar. Vidal is the closest comparison. Vidal is a tad bigger and does get more offensive than Radja. They both have off the field issues, both super aggressive and passionate. They are similar defensively. I like Vidal better, but he's not far off...plus I think Vidal is the most well rounded box to box mid in the world. So that's saying something about Radja. Those are my top two. After them you have Matuidi, Pogba, Dembele, Keita...but they can't match the defensive work that Vidal, Radja do. That's just my opinion.

Matuidi and Dembele? Especially re: Dembele, I wouldn’t much call him a box to box.
 
Matuidi and Dembele? Especially re: Dembele, I wouldn’t much call him a box to box.

I don't watch spurs that much but from what I've seen, he gets back defensively, distributes nicely and can get forward.

I liked Matuidi with PSG, but watching him on Juve, he likes to attack more, but he has no issue being defensive. The team plays with Khedira, Marchisio, Asamoah all playing both ways too..I don't see otherwise from him.

That said Vidal & Radja are on another level. Just curious what guys you consider being in that second level.
 
I don't watch spurs that much but from what I've seen, he gets back defensively, distributes nicely and can get forward.

I liked Matuidi with PSG, but watching him on Juve, he likes to attack more, but he has no issue being defensive. The team plays with Khedira, Marchisio, Asamoah all playing both ways too..I don't see otherwise from him.

That said Vidal & Radja are on another level. Just curious what guys you consider being in that second level.
It's not a level. It's a role thing.

Box to box I like:
Vidal, Radja, Keita. And...and...And. Kroos is amazing. Just not sure you call him a box to box so much as someone who is great as either more forward or more defensive midfielder.

I can't think of any more right now. Hmmm...Goretzka? Who else? Pure box to box is just a few awesome guys and then a large group of closely bunched together mostly decent.

Eta: I like Gundogan. What do we do with Hamsik? Does he count?

Ugh. I'm frustrated with myself. I just look at Matuidi as similar to Kante.

Eta2: Modric can do it all. He's class.
 
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It's not a level. It's a role thing.

Box to box I like:
Vidal, Radja, Keita. And...and...And. Kroos is amazing. Just not sure you call him a box to box so much as someone who is great as either more forward or more defensive midfielder.

I can't think of any more right now. Hmmm...Goretzka? Who else? Pure box to box is just a few awesome guys and then a large group of closely bunched together mostly decent.

Eta: I like Gundogan. What do we do with Hamsik? Does he count?

Ugh. I'm frustrated with myself. I just look at Matuidi as similar to Kante.

Eta2: Modric can do it all. He's class.
Rakitic? De Bruyne (little time spent near defensive box notwithstanding)?
 
The window on aging guys to join MLS is narrowing quickly. Unless you are a Ronaldo or Messi type, where is the demand?

Not only that, you won't get to pick a premium market. Have fun playing in San Jose aging superstar x!
 
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