Not a word about Nikolic. Curious. The press release states "The club currently have all three Designated Player slots open." So, Gaitan and Katai and Frankowski would likely take those slots. https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2...-2020-contract-options-micheal-azira-jeremiah Chicago currently has 14 players under contract for the 2020 campaign. Goalkeeper (2): Kenneth Kronholm, Gabriel Slonina Defender (5): Jonathan Bornstein, Francisco Calvo, Johan Kappelhof, Marcelo, Andre Reynolds II Midfielder (7): Micheal Azira, Brandt Bronico, Przemysław Frankowski, Jeremiah Gutjahr, Fabian Herbers, Álvaro Medrán, Djordje Mihailović
Frankowski should be a DP next season, if he is in line for a riase. He earned $450k base and $660k total (I thought it was higher), although he was paid down with TAM this season. They are probably trying to weasel Katai down. Gaitan's base was $1.4m and total comp was $2.2m.
Frankowski is not worth more then a high TAM player as yet. I would try to bring down Katai with TAM yet but would pay him DP to keep him. Gaitan is a dp to me. I like keeping Herbers for depth same with Gutjahr. I am not sold one way or the other on Azira and would frankly play Bronico over him as yet.
Great!!!!! Nelson has meetings with Gaitan's and Katai's agents this week. How does he fvck this up? If Katai does come back he could become a TAM player, unless Gaitan takes a pay (I doubt that would happen) he will be a DP next year.
I got a weirdly worded message from my own source that makes Katai sound like a less sure thing. Personally, I'm not sure if I want him either.
He really played out of his mind when his last contract was up. Since, the level has dropped. I blame the coaching for the lack of motivation.
Katai can win games on his own , regardless who the other ten fire players are as he has done this . Anyone who wants Katai gone is nuts , he is a top 5 mls player. This really shouldn't even be discussed or thought about, it's ********ing insane to even ponder.
60% Katai was still the most dangerous Fire player and better then 90% of the league . Pay the man and build the team around him for two years . Let him know it's his club and the glory of the titles they will win will be the legacy he leaves Chicago wuth.
He sucks the game towards him, which lowers the quality of the rest of the team. Let me put it this way. When I play a sports video game as a single created player, I'm always calling for the ball and doing things on my own. I get a ton of goals or points, whichever sport it is. My AI teammates are much worse off and look so much worse in comparison, but the only reason why they don't look good is because I'm taking all the chances. My short sharpshooting point guard is only better than Lebron because I'm not letting Lebron have the ball. I see Katai doing this in the same way, taking all the chances himself, trying to do everything himself. Sure, it gives him the opportunity to be the hero, but he doesn't need to be the hero. From what I remember when he first came here from La Liga, it was his selfishness that didn't allow him to get anywhere there. So if we want to build a good team, I'd say that Katai wouldn't exactly be in my plans unless he changes the way he approaches the game. If the Fire can now finally build an even better squad, I don't think Katai is necessary and we might even be able to make a profit selling him back to Europe. But as I said, I'm not sure about it. He's a complete enigma to me because he has an upside and downside that sort of even out. He may be great on the ball, but he kills the attack a lot of the time because of his selfishness. He may be extremely selfish with the ball, but he also has a solid ability to do something with it. He takes wild and poorly reasoned shots from outside the box, but some of them go in. He seems to constantly want to and fail to dribble through everyone, but it's highlight reel material when it actually works. I am truly split on him.
Medran looked very good in training today. There’s a friendly against NYCFC on Thursday so let’s see how he fares then
I am also slightly torn on Katai. I would not want to make him a DP for exactly the reasons that Jiggly explained but I would not hesistate in a TAM deal for him one second. The reason why is because he actually learned not only how to play defense but he also DID play defense halfway through the season. That showed something I never expected from him and I think it made a big difference for the team. If he plays both ways like that...I would happily keep him on a TAM contract.
Wow, first several of you pissed all over Nikolic, despite his being the top scorer for the Fire and second all time in just three seasons. Now, you are all pissing on Katai, the most talented player the Fire have had since Blanco* and probably one of the top 10 talents in the team's history. Katai's talents are almost unique in MLS. Keeping him should be a no brainer. Low balling him would be a disaster. I do agree that he should look to pass more than he does, but he was third in assists this season and second last season (one short of tying for first). Also, please do not compare a real life player to a video game. (*if Gaitan sticks around, I might have a different comment next year).
Yes, with Frankowski locked up (and with McCarty at DM), we should be set at midfield for year(s) to come. We have Djordie (and Bronico) for the future. Getting rid of Adams was dumb, but DM is probably the easist position to fill.
I am not sure a very good DM is that easy to fill but I would be happy with Dax for one more year. Adams was a horrible loss for pure defensive presense. Anyone recall how he shut down Piatti? Oh well...one more foolish move by the ole GM.
this has been a US problem as long as I can remember, and it's really sad seeing it crop up in today's youth. it used to be pure racism - Indiana University discipline and teamwork VS those selfish showoff mexican (don't forget to sneer) players. I don't know wtf it comes from now, but it's as stupid today as it was 40 years ago. I wish we could field a team of 11 Katais and have them play a team of 11 Bronicos just to drive the point home.
I very much doubt Djordje returns unless there are no Euro offers. He had Basti try and get Bayern to consider him last year. He wants Europe very very badly. That’s why he checked out mid season.