Is now the time to sell Carlos Valdes???

Discussion in 'Philadelphia Union' started by phillyguy1, Nov 28, 2012.

  1. phillyguy1

    phillyguy1 Member

    Jun 9, 2010
    south jersey
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Given that he's 27, a peak age for athletes, and his production for us and Columbia, his value should be at it's highest. What amount should we need to sell him??
    I think if we get 800k to 1 mil. we should do it. we would see 400k to 500k as our share from mls.
    Maybe make a move for Ike Opara who should graduate GA and isn't starting for SJ with Bernardez there. I'd even think about bringing Califf back at the right price for depth.
    Selling Valdes brings in cash, frees cap space and offers more flexibilty.
     
  2. BuddhaWake

    BuddhaWake Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Philadelphia
    I didn't know he went to a fancy school.
     
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  3. PhillyMLS

    PhillyMLS Member+

    Oct 24, 2000
    SE PA
    Eleventy billion dollars.
     
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  4. phillyguy1

    phillyguy1 Member

    Jun 9, 2010
    south jersey
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    So there is no amount of money you would move Valdes for??

    It's just that I think everything has a price, and if someone makes you that deal you take it.
     
  5. PhillyMLS

    PhillyMLS Member+

    Oct 24, 2000
    SE PA
    And I think if you think that 800k to 1M is his price then you have no grasp of the financial landscape in soccer. Valdes is the same age as Geoff Cameron, whom Stoke City paid over 2 million for. He is a lot better than Tim Ream and Bolton paid over 3 million for him. The only other comparable Colombian center back in terms of age and caps is Cristian Zapata, and he was sold by Udinese last year for 9 million euros.

    If someone came in at 3 to 4 million for Carlos and he wanted to go, then you entertain the offer. But if you think that selling him for 800k so you can get Ike Opara (the oft injured player that got destroyed in the Conference Semi-final game against LA) and Danny Calliff then I don't even know if I can take you seriously.
     
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  6. TonyClarkDOOP

    TonyClarkDOOP Member+

    Jun 18, 2010
    Oxford, United Kingdom
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Im not saying it is anyone here, but i just find it mind boggling that people are dying for Le Toux back (not saying i wouldnt be happy, but im not begging) after his prime age and this that, but want to sell Valdes. Whats wrong with keeping a top player? Top players together win Championships or get you there (see Galaxy, LA). We have a good back line but just cant score. someone said 4 million, okay I understand that offer. However even still i would be iffy screwing with the back line (Garfan Valdes Okugo Williams). Defense is the only thing we have.
     
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  7. EmeraldDawn

    EmeraldDawn Member+

    May 11, 2008
    Brick, NJ
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Exchange between Carlos and I at the end of the NJPC game.

    Big Kev: Carlos!
    Valdes: (Waves at me)
    Big Kev: (points at Carlos, then points at the ground)
    Valdes: (Laughs)
    Big Kev: (points at Carlos, shakes finger no, points out of stadium. Points at Carlos again and points at the ground.)
    Big Kev, as though his point wasn't already made: You better not leave!
    Valdes, laughing hard at this point: (Thumbs up, shakes finger no, and points out if the stadium.)

    El Capitan ain't goin nowhere.
     
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  8. riot71

    riot71 Member+

    Dec 11, 2003
    New Jersey
    Until the FO gets that Laundry bag full on money
     
  9. EmeraldDawn

    EmeraldDawn Member+

    May 11, 2008
    Brick, NJ
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Nick Sack wants a laundry bag of money? I don't have that, but I do have a sock full of quarters I'd be happy to deliver upside his head.
     
  10. Dills

    Dills Moderator
    Staff Member

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 6, 2006
    Southampton|PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    A bar of soap works better.
     
  11. KensingtonSC

    KensingtonSC Still Lazy After All These Years

    FC Vaduz / Philadelphia Union
    Jan 7, 2010
    Andalusia, PA
    Club:
    FC Vaduz
    That depends on what his street value is.

    Wait, are we talking about Carlos Valdes, the centerback, or Carlos Valdes, the new powerful strain of Colombian cocaine? Because it would be stupid to sell your captain and best player right now unless he desperately wants to leave, or if MLS forces your hand.
     
  12. PhillyMLS

    PhillyMLS Member+

    Oct 24, 2000
    SE PA
    I hate quoting myself, but I needed to highlight this since word on the street is that Opara's option was not picked up by San Jose.
     
  13. ImissTHEheat

    ImissTHEheat Member

    Jan 18, 2009
    Pennsylvania
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The business of soccer says buy low, sell high - I think the prime window for Valdes' services will soon be upon us and an offer may in fact seem worthwhile to the brass. Thats all fine if we actually replace the player (either before the sale, or with the proceeds). None of this "Jordan Harvey to Vancouver" and leaving a gaping hole at LB for well more than the season. Approach this like a class organization, treat the players with respect, and keep the product on the field competitive (so that you treat the fans with respect too).
     
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  14. Dills

    Dills Moderator
    Staff Member

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 6, 2006
    Southampton|PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    So then, is there a list of guys who are available right now?
     
  15. billf

    billf Member+

    May 22, 2001
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If a team came in with a $2.5 to 3 million offer, then of course they look at the deal. The Union could agree to a lower price, but there is NO WAY MLS would settle for $1 million. The other thing I think the OP fails to consider is that you do not sell a player at his peak value unless you have a ready replacement. Who is the replacement center back?
     
  16. alessandro2016

    May 23, 2006
    There are two viable CBs on the roster, Soumare and Okugo, so there wouldn't necessarily be a gaping hole. I'd prefer to keep Valdes, but I can envision the FO selling high and using the proceeds to solidify other positions.
     
  17. EmeraldDawn

    EmeraldDawn Member+

    May 11, 2008
    Brick, NJ
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Do you know something about Soumare that everyone else, including the club, doesn't?
     
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  18. Ascalz

    Ascalz BigSoccer Supporter

    Apr 18, 2010
    130
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Soumare hasn't even consistently seen the field, its a little premature to call him "viable" when we don't even know if he'll be able to withstand the rigors of the schedule. Furthermore, I would argue that the team needs at least 3 "viable" center backs to cover injuries/suspensions/international duty.

    Valdes will no doubt be away a couple of times during the year, not to mention there is always the possibility of a larger club making an offer for him that the Union jump at.

    Okugo filled in admirably but I thought he has gone on record saying that he'll play CB if he has to, but prefers to play his DM position.

    The Union have gotten EXTREMELY fortunate in that we haven't had any major injuries to any of our defenders that have kept them out for months, if we stick with only Soumare or Valdes, then if Soumare's knees can't hold up or Valdes gets sold, then the defense has no real cover back there.

    Also, so far I don't trust the Union front office to use any money they get from a Valdes sale wisely.
     
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  19. alessandro2016

    May 23, 2006
    Soumare wasn't signed to be a backup. Perhaps I should have added the caveat that a healthy Soumare would be a viable CB.

    Agreed. The best case is to keep Valdes, Soumare, and Okugo. But in the unlikely situation that Valdes is sold, I would rather the money be spent on improving other positions and sign a lower level backup at CB.

    Again, this is assuming that Soumare is healthy and that Okugo is willing to continue at CB (yes, these are big assumptions but this is a hypothetical situation.)
     
  20. local136RiverRat

    Oct 9, 2010
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    If he got sold to a better league he would get a big fat raise. Would be a dick move to hold on to him if he could make substantially more elsewhere.
     
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  21. KensingtonSC

    KensingtonSC Still Lazy After All These Years

    FC Vaduz / Philadelphia Union
    Jan 7, 2010
    Andalusia, PA
    Club:
    FC Vaduz
    I know that we're all eager to sell our best player, and everything, but I haven't seen one rumor of any team outside of MLS wanting a crack at him. I mean, it's great that he's performed so well that we think that he's good enough to play in Europe, but we really are putting the cart about a mile before the horse here. Until a team who can pay him significantly more is willing to offer MLS a large amount of money for him, this whole thing is silly. Never mind the fact that for some strange reason people are actually advocating for the sale of our best player. If someone's interested in him, and they're willing to pay MLS a large amount of money for him, and he wants to go, then I'll be happy for him. In the meantime, I want Carlos in blue and gold for as long as possible.
     
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  22. Ascalz

    Ascalz BigSoccer Supporter

    Apr 18, 2010
    130
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't think anyone "wants" to sell Carlos (I certainly don't) but you would be foolish not to acknowledge the possbility that it'll most likely happen within the next year or two. If he continues to get called up or Colombia, then interest in him is only going to increase. Also if his good play for the Union continues, he'll get looked at even more.

    I would also be happy for Carlos if he got the opportunity to play at a higher level, but I'm also looking at this from the realistic persepctive of the fact that if another team approaches the Union with a semi decent offer, they're going to jump at it.

    At the end of the day I don't trust this Front Office playing too much hardball with bigger name teams when it comes to buying our players. I imagine that any offer of $2 Million+ would be seriously enterainted by the front office because at the end of the day, they could sell Carlos Valdes for $5 dollars and you wouldn't know it. Remember, "Per MLS rules, the terms of the transfer are not disclosed."

    Honestly, I could see Valdes being sold as early as the summer transfer window. If he continues his form for us and Colombia, through the upcoming season, offers will come in for him and eventually the Union will bite on one.
     
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  23. KensingtonSC

    KensingtonSC Still Lazy After All These Years

    FC Vaduz / Philadelphia Union
    Jan 7, 2010
    Andalusia, PA
    Club:
    FC Vaduz
    The Union has no say whatsoever in the sale of players. Carlos is contracted to MLS. He just happens to play for the Union. Carlos won't go anywhere if MLS isn't given a good enough number. The Union have no say whatsoever. Just ask Houston about agreeing to a fee for Geoff Cameron with Stoke City only for MLS to come in and nix the deal because they didn't like the price.
     
  24. billf

    billf Member+

    May 22, 2001
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The Union absolutely have a say. MLS, however, has a veto and can bulk at the fee. The league could sell a player out from under a team, but I really don't see that happening these days unless there is a ridiculous fee on offer.
     
  25. local136RiverRat

    Oct 9, 2010
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    People seem to forget that the MLS is a feeder league. We are relative minnows in the world game and the big fish eat minnows whenever they want. You need to have a different mindset than how you follow traditional North American pro sports. Our teams are not even close to being the best in the world in soccer. Following the Union is like following a AA baseball team, if not a single A team. If our coaches and FO are doing it right we will hopefully be sending more than a few players overseas.
     
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