That's a good article, and moots Duane Rollins' argument that the giraldino transfer was put under by Italian fans. According to this, G. still thought he was going to be a Red in mid-Decemember
I heard a rumour this weekend that Doneil Henry has been training with West Ham United this winter and has made a good impression, feeding speculation that he may get picked up by a lower level Premiership side or perhaps a high level Championship side.
Any source you can share or just words from a friend? If true, and if it panned out, that would be terrific. The Academies from Canadian MLS teams have started graduating players to the first team in MLS. The next step is the graduation of the best of those players from MLS to Europe. (So long as its on a career path to the higher European leagues, not the Elbonian second division.) As was discussed in detail in another thread that I'm too lazy to search for, the rise of the USNT was solidified in exactly this way. In the very early years of MLS, the USNT was composed largely of MLS players. Since then it's been composed largely of MLS alumni.
Australia and the A League as well. For what it's worth, it was a verbal chat with a friend of mine who is very adept on keeping up with TFC news. Where he got it, I don't know, but I think his source was a UK one. BTW, love the Elbonia reference and props to anyone who gets it.
Good salary dumping move. Now there should be enough room to at least keep Laba, or maybe something else? NYRB also gets what they want also, patching their defense.
It could have something to do with keeping him. The salary dump gives a little wiggle room and perhaps we could renegotiate his current contract.....
I hear people mention contract renegotiation as a solution - not just in Laba's case, but with other players in years past. I'm wondering though, how often does that actually happen in reality. What is in it for the player to take a pay cut? It's one thig if it's say a Nick Garcia who is at the end of his career and has few other options. But someone like Laba has plenty of other options.
I agree it is difficult to understad why any player would want to take a pay cut, having said that, TFC has made some significant improvements this year and a player may wish to be a part of this team. In addition, I am not certain their are many other teams that will be willing to pay his current wages. It might be beneficial for him to take a pay cut (short term) and in an season or two, when players like Dero are most likely not around, renegottiating his contract.
I don't think getting a paycut would solve anything. Laba I only making ~150-200k at the moment IIRC. It's his transfer fee that makes him a DP and that can't be negotiated.
and speaking of dero, I'll be Laba could get some good pointers from dero on agreeing to a lower salary from TFC with the promise of a better salary down the road.
Laba has very little incentive to renegotiate a lower salary. (It's not going to help with lowering cap hit, due to high transfer fee) Assuming Laba is on standard MLS 2 + 2 club option contract, he's still got 3 years left in MLS. At his age, he should be looking to make the jump to Europe within next year or 2, unless TFC pays him a really good salary. Not that I know what Laba is thinking, but MLS is still a feeder league. A talented guy like Laba should have bigger ambitions for his career. (certainly if he has any national team ambitions)
That's wishful thinking rather than logic. The player may not even be in Toronto in 2 years to benefit from ownership's largesse for taking a cut in a previous year.
This is getting out of hand lol. But I don't think having someone come and take Bendik's spot is a good idea. Unless he would play the full season.
Da fuq??? http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/...ian-national-team-keeper-julio-cesar-on-loan/ However now an option that would suit everyone may have been found, as Cesar could join TFC on loan for the 2014 MLS season and play a few months before he jets off to his homeland to be the host nations starting GK. Cesar needs regular soccer, Toronto could do with a top class ‘keeper to compliment the huge signings of Michael Bradley and Jermain Defoe earlier this offseason, and QPR would love to get a good chunk of Cesar’s salary off the already hefty wage bill at Loftus Road.
Report: Brazilian goalkeeper Cesar linked with move to TFC http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/02/brazils-starting-goalkeeper.html
He's a lefty, so it would have to be left back. You're better off with him on the pitch than Jeremy Hall