I think it's reasonable to expect him to be a 70 minutes/week player. That really isn't too much to ask of any fit player, regardless of age.
I'm really curious to see how he would handle such a situation. Would he'd be a good team guy or become a bench/dressing room malignancy distraction? He might be saying all the right things now in private with the coaching staff but what happens when the rubber hits the road during the season? I just sense a potential for a lot of turmoil here.
There's only one time in his career where he was a supporting guy instead of a key player. That was during the two months that he was with NYRB where he kept his mouth shut and played some of the best soccer of his career. Should the team experience a long losing streak, I suspect he'll take it upon himself to shoot more rather than take it out on the rest of the team. If TFC signs Defoe, then having DeRo step up isn't a bad thing because he would be our third best attacking option. Compared to what we have had in our brief history, DeRo might be the best third option on any TFC squad.
However, he was a still a starter in those matches with NYRB, not a late game sub. Not so sure that he's willing to be a squad/depth player, even in the autumn of his career.
As i understand the Stage 2 re-entry rules, TFC had 7 days from selection to sign DeRo....anyone heard if they have signed him.....seems to me 7 days is up soon(isn)
I'd see him as more of a starter here, although one who would likely get subbed out later in the game. I think he still has more to contribute than simply a mentor who rides the bench.
As I have said before, he is the only player that comes close to checking all of TL's boxes (DP, Striker, Italian, could be considered biggest signing in MLS history) and he is available.
The more you think about it, the more it makes sense for Balotelli as well. He could make the same money, play in an enviroment with less scrutiny, not be subjected to racism, and of course, hang out with Drake.
Mario is a weird one but he wouldn't commit career suicide. This headline would hold water in 5 or 6 years maybe, then we could chant the Super Mario theme in the stands.
Balotelli isn't coming to Toronto. ..... In other news though, David Sullivan's son tweeted that Defoe will be going to Toronto in March. They know Defoe and his people pretty well so it's probably legit. Alan Sugar confirmed the tweet if that means anything.
To be honest, even if his own mother said he was coming to Toronto I wouldn't believe it. Only an official announcement from the club itself will lead me believe that Defoe is coming here.
Not so late, considering other reports said after the World Cup. If he continues playing, or at least training, with Spurs, he wouldn't need to join TFC's training camp. So he misses a couple games?
preseason camp is very important for incoming players, esp if they haven't played in MLS before. it's not just Defoe getting used to his teammates, but his teammates getting used to him too
With the expectation that Defoe will also be arriving, this means we will have 3 capable strikers. The problem is, will they get the service they need from the Mid?