Yeah, this seemed to warrant its own thread. MLSsoccer.com reporting that Bassett turned down a club record transfer to Benfica to stay and play for a MLS Cup, with plans to move this winter. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/sour...ects-move-to-benfica-in-order-to-finish-mls-s EDIT: Further reporting is that the deal was to train with Benfica's first team but play for Benfica B, which makes his refusal a little more understandable.
Well done by Bassett. It’s a slap in the face to play for Benfica B while training with the 1st team. He is an established player with 60+ First Division games in MLS. He is above the Portuguese 2nd Division with Benfica B. It took some stones to say no and I commend him for that. Other clubs must be in the pipeline. I’m curious to know how Benfica took it. Does interest fade or is he still in their sights? edit: helps to read the article…. It clearly answers my question.
So the transfer fee would be something over $2 million. I wonder how much more? I feel strongly that when players that have gone through the Rapids' DA and first team, when they transfer to Europe, it better be for first team time. ANd in a position to succeed. It will be interesting to see where Cole ends up.
I think this bit of news ties everything together as of late… The “lack of offers” The overcompensating in games Etc Honestly, I applaud Cole for wanting to stay and help the team this season. That’s not something you’re normally gonna see when a player gets an offer to go to Europe. Yes I’m sure playing for the B side while training with the A squad helped the decision a bit - but after seeing your squadmate Vines go, and you’ve got a deal that’s even bigger than that? Still not easy to do, and something that’s not seen very often. Props to Bassett on this. Loyalty speaks volumes
Really though, the Portuguese second division is a step down from MLS. If Benfica said "we want you but we won't have room for you this season so you'll be playing with the B squad" then maybe Bassett sucks it up for a season. But if Benfica didn't even give him a timetable as to when he could make the first-team I can see passing on it. Its a better long-term strategy to play in a better league (MLS) than to waste time not improving. Also, if Benfica wasn't thinking about using him right away, why not buy him when the MLS window was open and loan him back to the Rapids?
Or do what Club Brugge did with Tajon Buchanan and New England. Complete the purchase now with Bassett moving at the end of the season. Even that would’ve been better than this deal. Either way, Bassett still said to himself “I can’t leave the team and take a ‘step down’ even with the payday. Can’t do that to my Rapids fam”
.@Photog_JohnB spoke with homegrown Cole Bassett today after training about passing on S.L. Benfica’s offer, why he believes in this #Rapids96 squad, and what makes this year special https://t.co/P44jLtMliq— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) September 1, 2021
Having read the Burgundy Wave piece on the proposed transfer, it's great that Bassett feels he's better than Benfica's B squad. Sounds like he won't accept an offer that doesn't include first team time regardless of where.
Glad he stayed, he cleared has skill/ talent. I personally would like to see him get more physical out there. Opposition seems to easily push him around. Maybe he can spend time with Acosta this 2nd half and learn to play with an edge out there (he can skip all the talking to refs piece)