Nice list above. I would add another player who may be difficult to pry from his current situation, Carlos Salcedo. It seems he's been around a long time, but I was surprised he will only turn 26 in a couple of weeks. Guardado is my #1 choice though.
The back channels are already talking about a "big and influential player", so we'll see where this goes.
0% chance any of those Mexicans join for 2020. Guardado is the only one who might be a possibility before the world cup. Very, very small possibility.
According to Transfermarkt Guardado is out of contract next June. His transfer fee should be minimal and MLS will pay an over market salary. Though he's still playing at a high level, it's hard to imagine Guardado as a first choice player and captain in the next World Cup.
Guardado and Frankowski wingback'in it in front of our current three CB's would be fantastic . I think Bastian would have no trouble playing longer with that threat and coverage on the wings.
Chicharito- Yes and that should have happened last month. Maybe playing in MLS could hurt his chances for the World Cup, but at least in MLS he would play every game and, likely dominate. This did not happen at West Ham and may not happen in Spain. Guardado- That would be great. Jimménez - Héctor Herrera - I doubt we could afford either right now. Lewandowski- I think I just became a little moist. Not going to happen right now. Balotelli- F*ck him each and every time. If by "mercurial," you mean the thought of signing him might make me feel like drinking mercury, perhaps. I think the comparison to Rodman is apt, but the difference is that every team where Rodman played (and the fans there) loved him. Balotelli has not endeared himself. Costa- Great, but maybe not the "worldwide" name the team needs. Lukaku - Ummm, he just transfered for an obscene 80 million Euro. Nope for him and nope for the Fire. Hulk- He's still playing? His club scoring record is insane. He has scored more than a goal every other game.
I wonder with the ownership change and pending firing of Pauno and NRod. If Niko and Katai might be back next year or maybe Joe is looking at bigger names. It was proven that with service that Niko could score goals 24 in 2017 (2017 Golden Boot winner) and even in down years he's scored 15 goals in 2018 and has 12 in 2019. That's 51 goals in three seasons. I believe Gaitan will be a DP next year, if he returns Niko would be a DP next year, if he returns Frankowski and Katai I believe could be bought down with funny to below the DP line. So if both Gaitan and Niko return, then we would have ONE DP spot left. Hopefully this will be Joe's BIG splash signing as our owner. If this happens would it be worth to sign that BIG splash signing as DM? LB? RB? GK? Of course we will need a GK, LB, RB, DM (Dax is getting old, to bad our dumbass GM traded away a young promising player). We have Milhailovic, but not sure he's a DM.
Under these new circumstances, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll willing to lace up for one last season and fill that last DP slot.
There may be the possibility of a 4th DP next year. A lot of teams are having difficulties managing the 3 DPs in addition to the TAM buy downs. The expansions coming over the next 3 years will also help to justify that 4th DP.
I'm looking at Guardado more as a #8, but he's a high level Swiss army knife who will do whatever tasks need to be done to win much like Piotr Nowak.
I don't disagree , I was going by current lineup and where he could immediately make an impact without to much roster disruption. Guardado roaming thst left side would free up Gaitan and allow him to do what he does best.
How about a 2020 first XI like this, assuming there are still 3 DPs? ________ Gaitan(DP)_______DP Striker_________TAM Winger ________Guardado(DP)_____ Dax/TAM-CM____Frankowski(TAM) Bornstein______(CB as below*)_______ Kappelhof(TAM)______MLS Vet RB MLS Vet GK I also assume there will be enough TAM left to get a right wing attacker from one of the SA young winger trees N-Rod has a hard time finding. * Position filled by Basti/MLS Vet/Marcelo/Calvo I'm not sold that Marcelo & Calvo are MLS contender caliber CBs. I'll roll the dice that any new GM/TD can get better value at the same price point for one of them. Calvo's green card makes him more valuable. Basti should only be back at a TAM level deal. Your key squad players would be Sapong, Bronico, and Lillard. Cleveland is back up GK. It would be nice if Edwards could be brought back as a squad player as well. Mihailovic is a wild card in all of this. There's no doubting his quality, but I can't seem to find a good position for him in any formation without a 4 man midfield. I doubt he's at all happy in his current role and save a stellar offseason and US U-23 campaign I don't know how much European interest he can attract.
I totally disagree with you about Calvo not being contender caliber cb but otherwise like the analysis. I also want to keep Dax for another season for leadership purposes and he always hustles and says it the way it is.
Depends on which Calvo shows up. The Calvo who until a few weeks ago couldn't get his head in the game, or the Calvo who has been a pretty good player lately.
Katai? Maybe you could play him in the TAM Winger slot? Bornstein will be 35 I think we can get better value than Dax also
I think like it, or not Bornstein is under contract next season. Dax's salary will take a haircut wherever he goes. I'd take him back at the right price, but I'm open to a cap friendly upgrade. I'm ready to move on from Katai.
Yes for once can we not throw away a player with talent because of inept coaching? BTW suprised that the Pauno firing hasn't taken place yet?
This, completely. Unless the team is completely blown up and rebuilt for the Manseuto/Soldier Field Era, the team should be built around Katai, Frankowski and, if we can keep him, Gaitan. Oh, and a competent coach.