Per Ives... http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/...-transfer-rumor-england-premier-league-011812 Figured it was worth its own thread. Bolton sure has been scouring MLS for talent. First Holden, then Ream (awaiting permit) and now potentially LeToux. Let's hope the MLS reinforcements help them stave off relegation.
Well their draft now makes a lot more sense. With Mwanga, McInerney, Chandler Hoffman, and the new Costa Rican Martinez........they've still got some firepower up top. Granted some of those kids need to take "the next step" as Le Toux was the reliable, experienced guy. Oh, and they still have the old Serbian guy right? So they have 5 forwards on the roster.................
Help save Bolton from relegation? LMAO! LeToux was crap against the Dynamo in the playoffs. He is a very inconsistent player with a few flashes of brilliance every once in a while. This will not save Bolton.
He deserves this opportunity though. Such an amazing story coming up from USL with the Sounders as the USL MVP, then from there to emerge as an MLS force with Phili and now making it to the EPL. It's one of those stories about the rewards of hard work and perseverance. Sad for Phili though, but noone can ever deny that Le Toux is very deserving of this chance. I remember watching Sounders telecasts of games and they showed how he was always one of the last players milling about the crowd to sign autographs. A good thing to happen to a really good guy.
Bad for Philly unless they replace with equal quality and do so by opening day. Nowak hamstrung the offense enough last year with formations that often didn't fit the personnel (e.g., LeToux up top alone, Mapp played too centrally, Paunovic expected to cover too much ground).
Considering at least one is already gone (Mapp to MTL), one seems to be on the way out (SLT9 to Bolton), and one could not come back this season and it wouldn't be a loss (Paunovic), it's putting a TON of pressure on the young guns on the Union's roster. Mwanga needs to step up, Martinez needs to get acclimated/integrated right quick, Jack Mac/the Hoff need to be super subs.
Funny how much can change in two years: unprotected by Seattle, IIRC one goal scored in league play that previous year, and now, possibly playing the EPL.
If he impresses right away he could get playing time. Bolton's forward crew is pretty underwhelming at the moment. Kevin Davies has had a bad year & is starting to show his age, and it's not like guys such as Klasnic & Tuncay are setting the world on fire. It's just surprising that Le Toux is the guy they'd turn to.................
Being 'crap' against Dynamo in the playoffs doesn't erase the 25 goals and 20 assists he had over the past two seasons, which to me is a pretty consistent run of success. Now I don't know whether he'll be good enough for the EPL, but I sure hope that he and Ream help. After all, he and Ream were both MLS All Stars last year, and if they aren't good enough to help a team in the relegation zone, I can imagine Eurosnobs using that as ammunition against MLS.
Can't be more than 2 million USD... Either way this is smart... Union are building a nice base and relationship with Colombian players, could land another forward. And its not to often a EPL club buys a MLS player like Le Toux. Who is hardly a NAME MLS player.... But a respected one... I'd take the transfer.... If I was him and club.... Work permit may be an issue here.... right? Or since he is French that does not matter?
Right, cause 11 goals and 9 assists in 2011 and 25 goals and 20 assists in 62 Philly games is just a flash in the pan. Plus, he was our only goal scorer in the playoffs against a team that wanted to play 2 games that look more like American football then soccer (and not here to debate Houston v Philly in the playoffs; Houston was the overall better team). Le Toux is a top notch player who is getting the well-deserved chance to play in a top league in Europe. He may not save Bolton from relegation, but he sure as hell will make them better.
Honestly, while I'm sure Bolton won't admit it, it's probably a consideration that he's a player they will still be able to afford if they get sent down.
The Union certainly didn't perform well against the Dynamo in the playoffs but remember that Le Toux did manage to score against them. Saying he "was crap" might be overstating it just as much as saying he'll be expected to "save Bolton." [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g8_2jJ1G80"]Sebastien Le Toux Goal - Philadelphia Union vs Houston Dynamo 1-1 MLS CUP 2011 Playoffs - YouTube[/ame]
By the time Ream & Le Toux get over there, get settled into the team, get match fit, and work their way into the lineup..............there won't be much time left in the season at all. In MLS terms, Le Toux isn't even at pre-season fitness levels yet. [I'm sure he hasn't turned into a fat slob all of a sudden, but it does take a little while to get "up to speed" again.] So there has to be some "planning for the future" involved here. You're right. They'd never admit it. Mostly because they're one point from safety, and their fans want to see them gunning for retention of their premier league place. Honestly, do we think Bolton fans are too excited about this signing? Doubt it..............
doesn't matter all that much what he does or doesn't do at Bolton, if the deal is right, MLS will be happy to have the transfer fee dollars that Bolton is apparently willing to spend on the player.
Allez Le Toux indeed! From the USL to the EPL in 4 years. At 28! I'll always remember him being the last guy to hit the showers at Starfire because he was signing autographs and he would not go until every single person who wanted an autograph or picture was taken care of. I wish him all the best. He has said he will always love Seattle and still owns a place here.
and truth be said, there are some pretty mediocre teams in the EPL (basically just like any/every league). but congrats to Le Toux for likely moving on to a bigger pay check and more recognition.