I’m worries about this transfer if it’s to Swansea. 1. Does Swansea ply the right style for Morris to flourish? 2. Does the Championship allow a player like Morris to do well? 3. If he does do well, won’t people say “It’s just a second division”?
Here's the Athletic article that says Morris is expected to complete the loan move next week. https://theathletic.com/news/jordan-morris-swansea-transfer-football/JwiLvIcodNLH?source=twitteruk It doesn't have much more inside information than that, and mostly seems to be repeating the information in the Telegraph article last week. (It speculates he might have turned down the likes of Wolfsburg and Leverkusen because if he impresses at Swansea he could be purchased for big money by the likes of Sheffield United!) But it does have this interesting tidbit about where Morris would fit into Swansea's lineup: Steve Cooper favours a 3-5-2 formation – a system that has worked extremely well for Swansea over the last six months but which obviously doesn’t include wingers. That said, neither of the two strikers in the current set-up play as a conventional No 9. Andre Ayew tends to roam and drop deep while Jamal Lowe pulls wide and runs in behind defences – the sort of role that should suit Morris.
3 is the top reason I don't like the decision relative to the alternatives. Even if he does succeed, it could be explained away. If he doesn't he's perceived as not even good enough for a 2nd division. The other moves were so much better from risk-reward standpoint. But Morris has proven he's not wired like the average human, for positive and negative. #1 is actually a source of some optimism. Because Swansea will play him high and in the center of the park to make slashing runs plus have scoring opportunities. So it probably does fit his skill-set more than what he was doing for Seattle or the NT. He was just playing well in spite of that. So he's not a guy that should be bet against.
1. not sure 2. yes decidedly so 3. yes...but then if he does well...that will likely mean he is in the EPL with Swansea so moot point.
Probably easier to settle there on a short loan than the more exotic options. Time is of the essence here, obviously.
As far as I can tell, he has often been the lone MLSer on many people’s first eleven. The only time he doesn’t make the first eleven is when people force Reyna and Mush onto the pitch at the same time, or when people choose Weah over him on the right. I certainly see him as in the running to start on either the right or the center of the attacking line, regardless of whether he leaves MLS. I also think there’s a little bit of leftover resentment (not unjustified) about the overrepresentation of MLS players in big competitions in recent years. Apparently some people even think there’s a secret deal about it, which seems a little bit preposterous. But the mere fact that people have that belief is a reflection of some difficult to explain selection decisions.
Good point. His decision to sign with Seattle worked out fine. So I guess he knows himself pretty well.
Why do I feel we’re going down the same path as we did with LD? Morris has been great in MLS, no doubt, but the kid (26) needs to test himself now. Go on loan for 4 months. Bag some goals. See how you fit in. Help keep a team UP, or battle for a European spot, or just compete. I for one want to see it but the dude knows himself and what he wants. I’ll support him either way.
There are big time Morris haters, but it’s often the section of the fan base that doesn’t actually watch soccer. Most of them aren’t in the thread today, or chirping on Twitter today. You clearly don’t seem to be one of those people. I could get if people had real issue with the selections under Klinnsman but the selections under Gregg are fine /seldom questionable. The only people suggesting they arent are people who again, do not watch soccer. Because if they think Jordan Morris or Roldan are bad players, they simply do not watch soccer.
Questions 1 & 2: MLS is a decent league which generally plays a type of football that's more direct and physical, so he should be fine in the Championship. Question 3: Not really. It's an incredibly competitive league which is generally accepted as being extremely hard to get out of and where a team that's 18th (out of 24) can hit a hot streak of 5 wins and 4 draws in 10 games and be in the playoff places at the end. A striker who does well at the top end of that division should do OK in the EPL. In any case, who in their right mind gives a rat's ass about what "people" think. "People" means the numbnuts and wasters on this site and boards like it - present company excluded, of course . What matters is what the professionals think (and do) as a result of him doing well: if Swansea get promoted, do they keep playing him or will someone better bid for him?
I think his decision are actually quite like those the average human would make...choosing a high prestige high paying position near the people and places he loved over a much less certain but potentially higher paying and gusher prestige position far away. That’s often seen as being well adjusted and having your priorities in order. what makes a great competitor or athlete can make them a lousy (or at least difficult) human being
Was thinking exact same thing. Wired more like average person less like “average” elite athlete if you will.
eh...what % of americans have opted for MLS over a 1st team contract in the Bundesliga? or other big 5 league....its not many. he took the eccentric option. prestige wise MLS and big 5 soccer are miles apart...expecially 5+ years ago
If you live in Seattle, you probably have heard a LOT more about the Sounders than Werder Bremen or Swansea City.
What % of Americans go to university within 4-5 hours of their house? Not soccer players. Americans. Statement was average person not average soccer player.
well hes not an average person. hes a pro athlete. dont like the analogy. different rules apply, and they should.
It is rather underwhelming he chooses the Championship than the Bundesliga. There wasn't one Premier League club slightly interested in him?
I don't think we know. Fiorentina snuck in there late. So we aren't aware of all the notable teams. If he & they did turn down an EPL club, because he was dead-set on playing striker, didn't want to lose a lot in the interim, preferred a loan, or he had a good relationship w/ the manager; that would be even tougher to explain to the public. So they may not want it out there. It is peculiar on its face if nobody in the EPL would want him, when a few bigger clubs in other top 5 leagues would.
I told you guys about the english thing. Wasn't joking. Good luck to Morris. Just a loan. Sunny Seattle will be waiting for him if things don't go swimmingly for him and Swansea.
He's a pro athlete who wet to frikkin' Stanford who came from means and has made big money on his own. He has a very unique set of circumstances for both a normal person and a pro athlete. His decisions are destined to be unique.