Actually happy he is not coming. Let’s find a younger talented player that fits better with a team that is building towards greatness
Maybe, maybe not? lol 🚨🔵 More on Kevin De Bruyne. Napoli have planned more contacts to try seal the agreement early next week, right after his final game with Man City.Three year deal on the table, package worth €27m salary in three years including signing fee.Decision expected by next week. pic.twitter.com/7hcaaa9A4j— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 25, 2025
I hope (and kinda dare to expect) that the front office have serious plans B, C and D in motion to nail down SOME serious, team & formation appropriate, upgrading DP, with a ridiculous skill and mind set, even if not a mega name. (Is this in the right thread?))
Still not official…but not looking favorable for the Fire. https://x.com/espnfc/status/1926640737992507445?
This is why just reposting Xcrement is mostly a waste of time. I generally think young Alex C is pretty reliable, but let's see when there is an actual announcement from Kevin De Bruyne, Napoli, or the Fire.
Luckily, they ********ed their infrastructure so half the time shit posted from there doesn’t even work.
If the Fire lose out on KDB, I don't think it is a big deal. I'm sure that GGG has a long list of targets for a Plan B, C, or D. Of course, midfield is something that the Fire have in abundance in terms of players. Could they use an upgrade, sure, but CB and backup striker are probably a bigger need. I would love Big Bob to come to the Fire. I think Cuypers could move out to the wing on occasion as I don't think GGG would be willing to change to a two striker formation.
Cuypers appears to be doing just about everything GGG ‘s system wants and needs. A backup striker is an entirely different animal, but clearly needed. A starter quality CB would “ complete” the squad. Some positions clearly better than others but there would be a “passable” starter plus backup. By year-end, it would be easier to decide which positions most need upgrades. A DP at that time might make more sense. But that would make ticket sales lower, more difficult for a high league finish and not be consistent with overwhelming expectations. And a shorter list of available players.
Where? Lol....it's been reported that he may be joining Inter Miami haha. Edit: I see one site reporting it but idk lol.....also though I mean a 39yr old Modric, I know he may have a bit left in the tank but idk I think we should go younger on that spot.
https://www.pasionfutbol.com/en/new...ng-that-could-shake-up-MLS-20250523-0011.html https://www.transferfeed.com/transfers/luka-modric-real-madrid-chicago-fire/12357128
I think Modric to Chicago becomes a more serious plan if KDB goes to Napoli…Inter Miami can say they want to sign him but they already have “star power” and MLS and Mansueto with his money can sway this deal..Miami has enough star power
Bumped from the game thread: Yes, Kouamé has not really shown very much. Dje Davilla has been quite disappointing. Acosta has not really played much (less than 400 minutes and has played in fewer than 1/2 the matches), and has also been disappointing. I expect all of them to improve in the second half of the season.
I Going to agree that there is a level of competence coming out of GGG's iteration of front office where it appears that 1), they seem to have a plan and ALSO back up plans for when plan A doesn't work out. Also going to add that 2) unlike Heitz's front office GGG also seems to be able to move players (aka "dead wood") out of the squad to a degree previously unseen and that if a quality center back replacement and back up striker does not appear this summer I have faith it will materialize by next February. Normally (as in the last 15 years) these thoughts would definitely belong in the OPTIMIST and/or DELUSIONAL thread but things have definitely turned a corner for the better. I would take a 39 year old Modric. One of my favorite players of recent memory.
The ONE real criticism of Berhalter was going into the season with just one striker and a "mighty" Tom Barlow on the roster. I do not county Dean Boltz, since he has exclusively played for Fire II (I believe). Yes, we should have signed at least one more central defender, but Teran and Elliott were supposed to be the starters. Too bad, Teran cannot stay healthy. At least we had acceptable back ups. If Cuypers goes down, we have nothing. Tom Barlow should never start (or even play) an MLS match ever.
If Boltz ( or Poreba?) had “exploded” and became an acceptable offensive backup, that roster problem would have been solved. Hard to believe that was the plan but who knows for sure. Teran seems to always be out due to injury or in recovery. There was really no reason to think Rogers or Pineda or Cupps or Gonzalez would be able to start regularly and play at an acceptable level. Given the unsettled situations at LB, RB and CDM at start of season, a third starter-level CB was more of a necessity than a luxury.
I expect that Pineda could start regularly at CB at a competent MLS level. Not flashy, but gets the job done and is likely way faster than Gonzalez. However, it looks like Pineda has won the CDM battle and is now the regular starter there. I think there is still hopes for Rogers, but it is not looking good right now with him forced into the starting lineup.
Remember David Poreba was going to be the backup before he suddenly had a serious ACL tear as he was the Golden Boot winner of MLS Next on Fire 2 with 20 goals and spent a year in the Polish Ekstraklasa 2. I mean we see his name on the injury list every week and it's easy to forget about him but the rumors are he will make it back this season at some point (fingers crossed) but there are a lot of question marks regarding his ability to get back to where he was and his ability to adapt to MLS level of play? The point is, with all those question marks there WAS a plan but it didn't go according to plan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Poreba
Replaying the past…but yea, I’d also have kept Omsberg over Rogers and felt fine with Elliot, Teran, Omsberg and Gonzalez; plus Oineda in a pinch. Speaking of Pineda, our backup CDM has been playing better than our MaxTAM, U22 & loan players that you’d expect tho be starting over him…and now he may now be out. Unforeseen challenges have been more a part of this rebuild than Id have expected.
His injury was very unfortunate for both him and the club. His performance sky-rocketed the year he won the MLS Next Golden Boot. He is often considered a midfielder rather than a striker. Would require some adjustment in his play.
Again, a Chicago Fire II guy is not enough to be our primary "back up" striker. Poreba managed two MATCHES in the Polish Ekstraklasa with Stal Mielec. Also, he tore his ACL in February, so we had time to sign a replacement. Remember, "mighty" Tom Barlow is a 5 year MLS veteran 'striker' and, well, we have seen what that is worth.