Duran could be the most successful player of all time to move from MLS to Europe. Kinda crazy, thinking how he was barely here and the impact he had.
What impact? He scored 8 goals in 27 matches. That's it. Unless that was what you meant, he could be the most successful, despite making almost no impact. It was a business move for the Fire, for him and for his agent. Nothing more, nothing less.
Cuypers has 10 goals in 29 games, for reference. And considering how difficult scoring goals was for us the past few years, I think it’s kind of impressive how Durán seemed to at least give us some hope that we would score when he was one. Obviously not a Blanco-level impact but in context he was damn ‘special’ for his brief stint.
So, what impact? You have not described any impact. I liked him just fine when he was here and we could use another goal scorer, of course, but he just did not make an impact
Has Cuypers not made an impact? I mean, 8 goals in 27 games, for us, the Chicago Fire, especially considering many of those games he came on as a late sub, is not exactly “zero impact”. Again, it’s not huge, but it was an impact. Buddy was our leading goal scorer in 2022 despite starting less than half of the season. I think anyone who has lead a team in goals for a season can be someone that is considered to have had an impact.
Looks like Jhon had about 1400 minutes and 14 starts. Oddly, 2022 was when Shaqiri was having a Blanco-level impact on the team, statistically speaking.
Duran contributed 0.72 goals + assists per 90 minutes in his one season with the Fire only season in the last seven or so years that can beat that is Niko's first year at 0.83 the problem was that JJD was clearly a million times better than Kacper (0.28 G+A/90) for the role and we still had to wait about three months after this fact became obvious for him to take over the starting role
Jhon Duran scores again, minutes after coming into the match. He is now second in the EPL (which sucks) in goals.
Love to see it. If only we had a striker like th… oh, right. But hey, we have tons and tons of money from the sale, so that’s great! Where did y’all leave that stockpile of cash, I could use a few new things (googles ‘Jhon Durán Aston Villa jersey).
Guti should probably shift to a non-MLS team to grow like Djordje did. Lugano? I’ve heard from some ex-players that a home grown should probably move on after about three years to get them to break through their ceiling. The logic makes sense. EDIT: I’ve heard this not in relation to Guti. I’m making that connection.
Have been saying for years that, most, people should leave where there from, if just for a while. The different environment expands who you are and how you see the world. Hadn't thought of it in relation to soccer before, but it seems like it would lead to growth in a number of ways.
Aside from my years at NIU (SO far away) I've never lived more than 20 miles away from where I was born. After a weekend with my HS classmates I realize what an outlier that is. Then I think of players like Maldini, Totti, & Müller and how rare one club players are.
Maybe a season long loan somewhere may do him some good. Lugano would be logical and he might just benefit from more consistent winning of matches during the season. I’m sure there is plenty of additional stress and mental lapses and fatigue that comes from losing. Especially when it is season after season.
Just as well to bring in a quality 8 & quality winger to work/develop with...and allow him to play his call ups. If those things don't happen, I'd expect his agent will be working to find him a new home for 26.
Duran scored again in a cup match. He did "pad his stats" by scoring a penny, so I know for some of you, that doesn't count.
Kei seemed to tank here. Klopas was very forward in a press conference about how Kei was going to break the record in a Fire jersey and Kei never did. I remember six starts after that press conference and Klopas finally had to make a change. Kei and Ezra were friends so Ezra’s firing might have zapped Kei’s motivation. That’s all I can think of.