Haha - no, it's fine the way it is. I was just kidding. I sometimes forget that not everybody knows not to take me seriously. Carry on.
I'd be more worried what he's going to get out of the talent on this roster that finished 13th in the east last year, especially when they aren't going to have Arriola in the mix until early June at best. Late June if the Swans have to go the distance in the playoffs which culminate the last weekend of May. I think that would be amazing experience for Arriola, but if the season actually starts on time, we're likely going to be without Arriola for 2-2.5 months assuming the Swans don't piss off their entire fan base by buying Arriola and paying DCU anything thus moving money from one Levien pocket to the other. It's going to be the Flores show while we sit around bitching about 1-2 open DP slots.
Based on what I saw last season, "the Flores show" will not come close to achieving Losado's goal of four or five goals per game.
I would agree that he's the focal point, but the cupboard might be a little bare with 1 DP to start the season which makes him much easier to neutralize until you have Arriola's pace, work rate, and intangibles out on the wing to draw attention away from Flores in the middle. And if I recall, prior to last year he was described as an outside player who can play inside too. They've repeatedly made the point of talking about ongoing negotiations regarding a purchase option in almost every mention I've seen the last few days leading up to the loan being agreed upon and I have an extremely hard believing that Levien's DCU would recall Arriola if he's a contributor to Levien's Swansea getting promoted. As I said, I am not sure the assistant coaches are the problem to focus on in '21 as much as the dearth of talent. This was a next to last place team and a wooden spoon contender for much of the season that hasn't added any talent and will be minus some pieces to start. No Arriola in the preseason and likely to start the season which will have a compresseed schedule, No Felipe until midseason leaves a serious dearth of talent. It's much easier to get results from talented rosters. We don't have a lot of talent to improve upon compared to the rest of the league we're chasing. '21 is setting up to be a throwaway just like '20. So by all means, fret about the cushions on the deck chairs.
Just because the news of the last few days says one thing doesn't mean the final deal can't be different, @PSURoss.
All I was saying is that they left a permanent deal as an option as opposed to just a short loan where it's assured he's not leaving. So that's there. It's an option. I don't like the idea, but if we were hell bent on keeping him, it wouldn't have been something that was left open for discussion and part of the reporting.
It's a message board. We discuss uniforms with great emphasis. Should we shut down that conversation because players drive the success? (which absolutely no one argues with.)
That's true. All the reporting says that the terms allow for a discussion at at later date. So there is no verbiage in the legal loan document regarding a buy option but it was discussed and left out - probably to secure the loan by the deadline.
We're DC United. Are we really hell bent on keeping anyone? Let Paul join a club who has ambition instead of wasting his prime years here.
I know. But when the DCU press release says no option to buy, and Goff writes that the sides "could engage" in in permanent transfer discussions down the road, I'm inclined to take it at face value and that Arriola will be back in DC come May. It's not like the Jordan Morris deal where there's no recall option and there is an option to buy.
Maybe the awkward ownership situation makes them want to tiptoe around the money aspect, at least until the fans can get a look at Arriola and see this isn't anything shady and that Arriola is actually someone who can help them get promoted. I absolutely believe that if Arriola performs well, Swansea will want to take him and that'll be that.
I agree that Paul is gone barring some really bad run of form or Olsen type crippling injury. Remember, he will be showing on the European stage and could draw transfer interest from anywhere over there. Unless DCU wants a Lucho redux situation, Paul is as good as gone. I will miss his energy and obvious joy in playing the game. We all have to remember MLS is a selling league, so don't get too attached to young talent. Next up probably will be Paredes or Nyeman. If they are here in 2022, I will be surprised. Look at what Roma paid for guy in Dallas with very few MLS minutes.
Swansea are really good this year. They play like they belong in the EPL, contrary to their troubles around goal. I think Paul will see decent number of minutes, but mostly because he's the ultimate utility player. In the end, if they go up, I think we get Paul back. They'll have the resources to be targeted and specific in their player acquisition in the EPL. If they stay down, they may look at him as a good piece to have, and I think it more likely we will get an offer for Paul in that case. Assuming DC doesn't just yank him back here after three months.
I'm encouraged. I'd far rather take a chance on a young guy who's on the way up than a has-been who's failed multiple times elsewhere or a journeyman who is coming in temporarily while keeping an eye out for a better opportunity elsewhere. I like the fact that the new coach is multi-lingual, offensively oriented and really seems to want to be here.