Any Albanian fans in San Jose who know this guy? Report: San Jose Earthquakes closing in on Albanian midfielder Jahmir Hyka
Someone with the handle "albanianman" weighed in on reddit. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that this person is Albanian. In any case he said that it would be a great signing and he is very comfortable with the ball and likes to dribble and create. A playmaker type. He also appears to have very good pace. Defensive work rate may be questionable. If he signs it would interesting to see who starts at left mid. Dom has made Dawkkns at least passable on the defensive side of the ball but I think they were expecting more on the attacking side. Hyka appears to play mostly on the left as an inverted winger but seems to have the ability to go wide and cross with his left. So I'd say his game is similar to Salinas's but hopefully better.
BREEK: Danny Hoesen naar San Jose! #MLS #fcgroningen #rtvnoord— Elwin Baas (@elwinbaas) January 19, 2017 http://www.rtvnoord.nl/nieuws/173002/Ook-Hoesen-kiest-voor-een-Amerikaans-avontuur Hmmm
Uruguayan winger Carlos de Pena Linked to the Quakes, Minnesota and Atlanta. http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/.../middlesbrough-winger-carlos-de-pena-12476614
Looks like he could more of a #9 - real need for the Quakes. Spent some time at Ajax, though was loaned out for part of that. Looks like he has pretty good speed, which is what I think they need - a #9 with pretty good speed, like Lenny.
Watching the highlights which focused on goals, I can't really tell how well he connects or holds the ball. He doesn't seem to score or to do much with headers. Somehow it gives me impression of a faster version of Goitom. Mostly he is set up by dynamic wingers who open up the space. Is he truly the target forward who can play that role for Dom and Wondo?
Yeah we have no idea from that video if he can win and hold the ball or score in the air, but I think he has the potential to be a good ball-winning target due to size - 6'1" and not skinny, and speed, which appears to be pretty good. Main thing I'd want to see is his work rate and aggressiveness. That was the issue for me with Goitom. He looked the part but was not as aggressive as I think he needed to be. I also like those moves where he puts the ball into space and then beats the defender to it. Quakes have not a forward who can do that kind of thing much. Not Wondo, not Gordon, not really Lenny, maybe Quincy a little.
Trying to keep all these possible foreign signing straight... it looks like the Quakes are looking to sign 3-4 more players: Rumors: F Darwin Quintero (Club America) or F Salomon Kalou (Hertha Berlin): Quakes trying to sign one of the two as a big money DP, America will only let Quintero go if they bring in a replacement, Kalou is an important player for Hertha so that may be tough to pull off. F Danny Hoesen (Groningen) or F Cristian Menendez (Atletico Tucuman) or F Marco Urena (Brondby) or F Diego Reyes (Marathon): Forwards, I'm guessing the Quakes were looking to sign just one of these guys, but maybe two (they selected RSL forward Olmes Garcia in the re-entry draft but haven't signed him yet), Diego Reyes is already out of the picture as he's going to Malaysia. M Alberto Quintero (BUAP, was on loan with the Quakes) or Carlos de Pena (Middlesbrough): I'm guessing the Quakes want one of these two wingers. D Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic): Left back, all we know is that Kinnear apparently went to see him, no further news makes this seem unlikely. Done or close to done: D Harold Cummings (Alajuelense): Center back, already signed. M Jahmir Hyka (FC Luzern): It looks like this is happening, or has already happened.
Director of FC Groningen confirms upcoming transfer of striker Danny Hoesen to San Jose Earthquakes BREEK: Danny Hoesen naar San Jose! #MLS #fcgroningen #rtvnoord— Elwin Baas (@elwinbaas) January 19, 2017
that is the same assumption that sunderland fans made about jozy altidore... oh he's a big lad so he will be an awesome hold up player. problem is he spent his whole time in holland playing front to goal and getting balls to feet or in behind and didn't do much hold up work. could be same problem with this kid.
Well of course anyone would take Jozy's production, especially out of a non-DP forward and not one of the highest paid players in the league, that goes without saying. But Jozy had 51 goals across all competitions in two seasons in the Netherlands... this guy has 35 goals in his entire career. No one said "this guy is at the same level as Altidore" he said "same assumption" and "could be same problem"...
My point is, if there is a "problem" somewhere amidst 51 goals in 2 seasons in Netherlands and 10g, 5a in 1500 min in MLS, I will take that "problem". Of course he wouldn't necessarily be at Jozy's level. But presumably he would be a non-DP bought down DP so you can spend your big DP money elsewhere.
jozy is light years beyond this guy though. I would take Jozy in a heartbeat but there's a big gap between the two. I just am talking about how players transfer from the dutch style to other leagues. I don't know if we can expect him to have classic #9 capabilities. just a generic criticism though I don't know this player specifically so I can't say how he plays.
The dude is injury prone? Did Doyle target this guy before he left or does every agent around the world know they can dupe this organization?
I don't know if I'd say "light years". Jozy is very likely better. How much better is an open question. "Light years" is an awfully huge amount. They played in the same league. Jozy was a lot more productive in terms of goals per game but I don't know what kinds of minutes we're talking about. And even if it's 3x more productive, I wouldn't call it "light years". In terms of someone who at least might have a chance to play a #9 role, he looks the part more than Reyes or Ureña, and, obviously, D. Quintero, though Quintero would obviously be effective in a different role.
Update on Marco Urena. http://www.mariosegura.com/urena-pacta-su-llegada-al-sj-earthquakes-de-la-mls/