Probably the only thing repeated more than "JRR is the best finisher in the group... and Coach Wilfried Nancy says that includes Cucho" is that Z will return to CM imminently. But listen, Z's key defensive data is either comparable to or better than MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon's, not to mention a host of others. Yes, it's true that he's "a Nancy guy" in the sense that Nancy's teams always have some of the highest field tilt in the league (this year we were 3rd), but in order to do that, you need to keep a high line and so your CBs need to not only be comfortable but excel in terms of emergency defending 1v1 isolated on islands. And while this is subjective, IMO nobody is better at this in MLS than Zawadzki. Some may say Miles Robinson, but I think Z is even better. SDFC played this way, too, and it's no coincidence they have a converted DM of their own in Manu Duah. Anyway, bottom line IMO is that if we're going to bring in someone w/ a different philosophy, bunker and counter, like a Cherundolo or Caleb, fine, move Z back to CM. If we're going to continue to use a bold, attacking style, then you have to keep Z back there. Would be a mistake to do otherwise.
Agree, Z is best at CB. I think he would actually be best as the RCB, with a true anchor CB in the middle, but if Moreria is staying, that's an issue. I just don't think his offensive abilities are all that great for a CM. If he can just add some muscle and upper body strength, he can definitely be a Miles Robinson type CB.
That is good. But if buying out Gazdag isn't on the table, at least by summer, then I think heads need to roll. I am willing to give it a try with Ali, but he just does not move the needle as a DP.
See, I think it's the opposite. Gazdag has been a Best XI-level player basically every year in MLS except under Nancy. Plus counts as domestic. Meanwhile, there were real questions about whether Abou Ali's career was over at 24. This is a guy who has struggled with significant health scares as well as minor niggles throughout his career. To his credit, he recovered and did well in Allsvenskan (oh boy, beneath MLS), then did well in Egyptian Premier League (wowee, also beneath MLS). Look, he should never have been signed IMO, and I'd snap Celtic's hands off and send him to Scotland (lower standard of fitba than MLS) for as little as $6.5 million just to get shot of him tbh, even if it yields no GAM because the fee is roughly what we paid.
In my opinion, Gazdag is a waste and as for Ali, if it's true that he is wanted at Celtic, sell him. I would much rather have the new coach decide who he wants as a center forward.
this reminds me of the stoke city friendly during the era when they had several giants playing for them. Those teams played awful soccer but had brutes out there that bruised their way to above the relegation zone
If we are going to retain the same playing style then Gazdag will not fit and needs to be bought out. I agree with selling Abou Ali too, let Celtic overpay for him. He's a traditional striker which is at odds with a total football system that requires player flexibility rather than defined and exclusive roles. I also fully expect he will sour on Columbus because he didn't come here to go through a rebuild. It takes one comment about being unhappy and the Crew lose any leverage on their sale price for him. Free up the two DP spots to let the next coach build anew instead of handicapping his roster reconstruction and forcing him to try pounding square pegs into round holes.
He may do better with a different coach and system. He may not, but since we're paying him anyway, playing or bought out, we may as well give it a try.
The one major benefit for a team (other than a disaster case) to have to bring in a new head coach, particularly one from another league altogether, is that everybody starts from zero. The new guy has no preconceived ideas or impressions about you.. A guy like Gazdag can show up and the coach barely knows his name. Fresh starts all around. For several guys on this team, it could work out to their advantage, if they grab the opportunity.
This has been my take for some time. Problem is we have a number of guys who seem like they would be best in that Moreira role (Moreira, Z, Herrera). Now, is Moreira still the best player for that role next year? Not sure.
I was watching the highlights on the Jackets-Red Wings game earlier, and the Red Wings have a 6' 8" player. Add skates, and that's really tall.
If Moreira comes back, and it's the same system, he can't really play anywhere else. He doesn't have the legs to get up and down all game like Farsi or Herrera when he plays wide.
There's a pic around somewhere with Chára leaning over a Jackets' player, Nathan Gerbe, who was 5'4".