Official: 2019 Rumor and Roster Moves Thread

I would agree with you if Efra wasn't actually playing at all when available, but he's been gone with Mexican int'l duty for a ton of our games. We could refuse that, of course, but my guess is they think it's good for him and they want him to see the benefit of living close to Mexico for purposes of call-ups.

Plus, if Efra really is available and can play, the new Alvarez can play out wide too. I don't think Efra is as viable an option out wide.

 

Baxter describes him as a forward, but I think that's because it's on his Wiki page. I'm not sure that's really where he plays, although an attacking midfielder can act like a withdrawn striker and a left or right wing can play like a forward with some teams and formations.

With the transfer window closing soon and the @LAGalaxy needing to fill Romain Alessandrini's spot, the team is being linked to every player with a pulse. The choice could end up being Fabio Alvarez, a 26-year forward w/ Argentina's Atlético Tucumán. Prob on loan w/option to buy

— Kevin Baxter 🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈 (@kbaxter11) May 2, 2019

 

The key to me is if GBS and/or DTK have personal knowledge of him. In particular if GBS does. His Polenta signing has been a home run and I like the chances of this guy being useful as well. It's a loan with option to purchase right? So low risk and maybe even allows some continued flexibility in the summer transfer window.

 

I’m inclined to give DtK/GbS the benefit of the doubt.

 

Yeah, I think he means "forward" as in "can play anywhere on the front line", so striker, wing-forward/attmid, in the hole etc.

 

Antuna was a huge gamble but he has worked out so far. If this kid can contribute half of what Antuna has, it’ll be worth the one year loan.

The reality is that we won’t get a game changing addition until next year when RA and Ibra are potentially gone.

My only hope is that this new kid has the ability to unlock a defense with a through pass. We’ve badly needed that all season long. I also hope that he can be a calming presence. Cienfuegos and Juninho will always be my favorite Galaxy players because they knew when to put their foot over the ball and slow down the play and momentum of the other team. Couldn’t help but miss that every time we turned the ball over on Sunday.

If this kid works out, I’m going to consider buying a DtK jersey

 

There's a purity to this transaction that I enjoy. Who needs players? We'll just trade money for money.

 

I feel like there have been other MLS GAM to TAM deals in the past. I wonder how the exchange rate has trended.

 

On the whole, I think Corona hasn't been bad, and I think he is still settling in, so still hopeful. But man, I thought he was absolutely one of our worst players last Saturday, which is what struck me about the "based on current form" comment.

 

I personally think he's been very good in his role and while he didn't cover himself in glory in the second half against RSL, it seems a little harsh to use that as the measure of his current form.

But I respect your opinion.

 

I really like this move. He isn't that expensive, he comes on a one year loan with option to buy, and he is in his prime. It seems to me we are creating a highly skilled passing team that is athletic and can run. We haven't seen this type of Galaxy team in a looong time.

I wonder how many other quality Argentinian players there are for $500-700K that we can get?

 

I watched a highlight video of Favio. He looks like a very good passer, with good range. Seems to play in the middle. Not really a goalscorer. Maybe like a poor man's Michael Bradley. Or perhaps GBS is a genius and he is equal to Bradley at a fraction of the cost.

Will be interesting to see how he slots into the lineup. My guess would be Lletget goes out wide, and Favio plays attacking CM.

It's as if Zlatan told GBS: "Bring me player who can pass ball..."

 

Consider that Lleget is likely going to the Gold Cup so if this guy can play the pint in the midfield trio that’s a plus during that tourney.

 

This is funny:
Galaxy Acquisition Falters After Argentina Club Refuses To Accept TAM
https://www.thenutmegnews.com/curre...rs-after-argentina-club-refuses-to-accept-tam

 

That's some funny shit!

 

To recognize our cross border nature, TAM is paid in Loonies. Thus the exchange rate differential.

 

Good thing MN is in Canada, so they're cool with it.

 

In case anyone is curious about our rumored signing Favio Alvarez, here's a really good video showcasing his skills:



I can't speak for his current fitness level or his general level of intensity throughout the game, but based on the video I think he addresses a lot of our needs in the final third. Combined with our pretty great midfield trio (I think maybe he'd slot into the AM position and Lletget moves out wide) and GBS to get the best out of him, I am very excited to get Favio on board and see what he can do in MLS! Let's get the deal done already!

 

I know beware the hi light video but...

Me gusto mucho. Looks great with ball at his feet. Excellent passer. Some confident finishes too.

 

Except Zlatan maybe, nobody on the team can execute that pass at 2:15 I think . So that's a plus, we haven't had a really exceptional passer /10 since Gerrard left. As stated, though, it's highlights so can't draw too many other conclusions (and I don't know much about the Argentine league). But on the strength of DtK/GBS' other moves and signings so far, looks very promising.

 

I assume GBS coached against him with Boca so he should have a pretty decent idea about his abilities.

This isn’t Pete Vagenas signing Ciman or svevrligfhhf basically sight unseen.

 

As a rough comparison I checked out fivethirtyeight.com rankings using their SPI (soccer power index, similar to but more sophisticated than ESPN SPI).

MLS, best to worst: SPI's range from 55 (LAFC) to 25 (COL). Median 39 (DCU).
World club rankings (out of 648): 156th to 523rd, median 349.

SuperLiga: SPI's 61 (River Plate) to 37 (Gimnasia). Median 39 (Talleres).
World rankings: 109th to 383rd, median 274.

So overall the Argentinian league is a bit stronger than MLS from top to bottom.

Worth noting: Galaxy and Atletico Tucuman rated almost identically with the Argentinian club barely edging out LAG with SPI of 43.6 to our 42.9. And they rank 272 vs our 287.

But now that we have Favio?