According to MLS confidential, 31 year old Gilles Grimandi, former utility midfielder for Arsenal, is reportedly coming to the US to meet with league officials this week about joining MLS next season. Provided a reasonable salary arrangement could be reached, I think Grimandi would be a very positive addition to MLS (perhaps playing a similar role as Ekelund has done at San Jose)
With Hristo most likely gone, you might see Grimandi playing as an International replacement. I would rather see the Fure acquire an attacking mid for Nowak doesnt seem to have too much left. Hes done well but he needs to be replaced in a year. I think with Armas back, you don't need to bring a defensive mid with Marsch and Kelly Gray capable of playing as backup or as the 2nd d-mid as the Fire are playing now.
In a word, NO! Chicago has had it's share of head cases. If the money's right, Grimandi would look as good in Fire red as he did in Gunner red.
Grimandi would be a fine player in MLS; the question would be where you'd want him used. He could play defensive midfielder or central defender equally well...he'd be among the best 8 or so, though not the best, at either position in the league. KC could use him if Vermes retires, but not really otherwise.
I got a chuckle at the way you say he'd be "among the best 8 or so" in the league at either position. Is the MLS playoff format seeping into our assessment of players? Because being the 8th best at your position in a ten team league doesn't strike me as very good. But then maybe Kansas City will win the cup this year and prove me wrong.
[Grimandi]I knew Oleg Luzhny. I've worked with Oleg Luzhny. And owendylan, you are no Oleg Luzhy.[/Grimandi] Seriously, though, Grimandi would probably be one the the top 3 d-mids in the league, and would provide the benefit of experience that having played at the highest level yields. I actually like playablebacks idea, sending Etch to Chicago, and Grimandi to DC. Although, as I think about it, who has an allocation right now? LA, DC, and NY? Alternatively, could Grimandi end up as a discovery pick?
He would be a discovery pick. It's Colorado that has tapped him. He trained with the team last week. But he's not sold on MLS yet. He still has some options in Europe that he's looking into.
I think he would be in the top three at his position whether it be in midfield or defense. I think he would step in and start somewhere with any club in the league. He also wasn't a little used player at Arsenal. He appeared in 40 games (only 19 starts, however) for the Gunners in 2001-02. Luzhny appeared in 26 games. Arsenal played 60 games. Los Angeles: Can start in back instead of Califf or Marshall. Would also replace anyone of Elliott, Vagenas, or Victorine in central midfield. New England: Lets see Cullen, Hernandez, or Rooney vs. Grimandi? Kante or Grimandi? San Jose: Agoos or Grimandi? He wouldn't crack the Mulrooney/Ekelund midfield. Dallas: Morrow or Grimandi? How about Deering - who did have a good year - or Grimandi? Colorado: Titus, Stewart, or Herdsman vs. Grimandi? He wouldn't replace Mastroeni and definitely not Valderrama. Since Colorado was brought up as the team he trained with, how about this midfield for them: Henderson, Mastroeni, Grimandi, Valderrama, Chung? Columbus: How about a central midfield of Maisonneuve, Grimandi, and Martino in a 4-3-3? He would start ahead of Dunseth in the back. Chicago: Armas and Marsch form a good central midfield tandem, but will Armas come back 100%? C.J. Brown/Jim Curtin or Grimandi? Kansas City: Talley sits. Zavagnin sits. New Jersey: The jury is still out on Balboa in midfield, but Jeff Moore would sit as might Ross Paule. Mike Petke would still start, but Jolley would be on the bench. Washington: Pope and Grimandi might form the best center back duo in the league. Richie Williams is better than a lot on this board think, but Grimandi would be the starter. I'm not even mentioning that he would be a great right back as well.
DC United finished last in the league. I guess they get first crack at any newcomer. I think Grimandi to United actually makes sense. He might take MLS money, can bring the same sort of thing to United that Bishop did to the Fusion. And, Arsenal is a great team, so if he made the pitch for them, he's obviously still got game. Will he come to MLS? Maybe. -Tron
No and No. Grimandi would replace Vermes since he's either retiring or coming back for next year yet another step slower. Talley and Zavagnin won't be displaced easily.