I finally found my article. It's entirely possible since Adidas sponsors Schweinstieger and gave $700 Million to MLS they may just say, "Hey Don ...resign him...mach schnell!" There's your funny money. Article is from August 2, 2017. https://www.forbes.com/sites/chriss...-agree-to-700-million-extension/#13dcbf304d89
I think we can all agree that Basti needs to come back. Him with the Leadership and defense of Dax was a fantastic combination last year.
I disagree. As much as he helped last season, can we depend on him for 30+ games? I'd rather have a big time DP that can play week in and week out without having to worry about a calf strain that could bench him for big games like a play in game. All it would take is a hamstring strain or calf strain and Schweinsteiger could be out for a month. I could also be wrong but chances are he probably won't start more than 20 games.
It is?? Sad face... To your point he played 24 games this past season (doing a quick 5 minute search on transfermarkt), clearly missing out on some of the biggest. However, in the 24 regular season games he played the fire went 15-5-4 (w-l-t). In no way am I saying he was THE instrumental cause in every result, though it would be safe to say he certainly played a part. The bigger question is will he have the same type of results coming back for another season (with a club option for a 3rd)?
Multiple sources on twitter reporting that Schweinsteiger is signing when he gets back from vacation and that Richard Sanchez has signed a new deal.
I like it, but wonder if rookie GK is the best combo with aging veteran. It's a fvcking shame Nimrod ran SJ out of town before deciding to build a team with monopoly money.
What facts? The fact that he is only 33, so not "over the hill" by football standards. The fact that he has played at least 28 games a season every year in his career (he played in 30 between Manchester United in 2016-17 and the Fire in 2017, which is, admittedly a bit of a stretch, since it covers the summer and Fall). 2015-2016 31 games 2014-2015 28 games 2003-2004 through 2013-2014 a minimum of 36 games, most well over 40. The fact that the schedule in MLS is not as taxing as a schedule in Europe, by having fewer league games, fewer cup games and almost no Continental competition games. The fact that, as a result of the schedule in MLS, he should not have to play more than one game a week, and frequently less than that. There are five weeks in the entire 2018 MLS season where the Fire have more than one game (always a weekend game, followed by a Wednesday game, 3 away, 2 at home). Those weeks will require managing for Bastian...and everyone else on the team. The fact that his game is based on skill, intelligence and conditioning and not speed or physicality, so his "slowing down" (if true) is not really that much of a factor. The fact that, properly managed, with a 34 game schedule (plus cup games), 1,900 minutes should not be an issue. That would allow him 12 games off (assuming he plays the full 90 in 22). I think more likely, have him on and penciled in for 70 or so a game, and then bring him off selectively, should work just fine. I would like to see more than that, of course. Yes, agreed, that way he does not have to play "sweeper" plus CM, as he did so often last season. Or, make Bastian the captain CB, put Dax in front of him, paired with a legitimate CAM. We can get 3 or 4 more years out of Bastian.
straw man, although I agree somewhat with you. I was talking about checking the facts about the order of 'dying and go to hell' in a weak attempt at humor. But now that it's come up; I've been a Bayern fan for over 25 years. I've been a Deutschland fan much longer. This in of itself doesn't mean squat. But I have watched easily 80% of Basti's career matches. He is one of my favorite all- time players along with Philipp Lahm, Olof Mellberg, Willy Sagnol, Claudio Reyna (just to give you a sense of what I value in a player) I was over the moon when the Fire signed him. Bastian is pure class, period. He's just not capable of playing an entire season anymore and to think or plan otherwise is a foolish jaunt. Damn I know everyone loves him but where's that Chicago realism that usually pervades this board?
Sorry. Got it! You had me at Lahm, but Claudia Reyna? Agree with the rest, although I think he is more than capable of full season in MLS, if played correctly.
I don’t see why he can’t have the same impact. Maybe he is getting a bit old but I still feel he can be extremely productive next to Dax, who will be the one putting out Fires, while Basti is picking his spots opening up the D with passes. Also puts butts in seats.
Rumor from Guillermo is that the Fire are talking with Arda Turan from Barcelona. https://www.transfermarkt.com/arda-turan/profil/spieler/21369 Apparently Barcelona will let him go on a free (trying to open up space for Coutinho, et al.) but the signing team needs to pick up a significant amount of his $6 million plus salary. Quintero back-up plan? Accam replacement? Smoke blown up our collective ass?