All delays aside, it's time for the last of five transfer-themed T5L's, and perhaps the one of most interest to stateside fans. It's very simple: who are the European aces (plus one... you'll see) available to MLS clubs for free this summer?
Last season, San Jose pounced on Norwich striker Darren Huckerby, and his arrival sparked a run that nearly got them into the playoffs. There will be plenty of players running out of contract in June and July, but obviously not all will want to make the move and some who do will ask too much in salary.
For instance: a few Americans - Watford captain Jay DeMerit, Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann and TOP Oss handyman Charles Kazlauskas - can be had for no fee, but I'm guessing none of them is ready to come home just yet. Therefore, they remained at best in the honorable mentions, along with stars such as Inter Milan's Luis Figo and Villarreal's Robert Pires, who may not be worth the money at their age.
Yes, we have a decided veteran slant to the list, for obvious reasons, but I have been careful to point out only the guys who I believe would come to America without a holiday attitude. I have also marked all those who have publicly spoken of playing in MLS at one time or another with an asterisk - it should come as no shock that four of the five guys on the main list carry one.
Honorable mentions: MF Lee Bowyer (West Ham), MF Tom Caluwé* (FC Utrecht), F Bernardo Corradi* (Reggina), D Leandro Cufre* (Hertha Berlin), Julian de Guzman MF (Deportivo), D/MF/F Gary Doherty* (Norwich), MF/F Jason Euell* (Southampton), MF Luis Figo* (Inter Milan), GK Marcus Hahnemann* (Reading), MF Martin Jørgensen (Fiorentina), F Kanu* (Portsmouth), F Shefki Kuqi (Crystal Palace), D/MF Theo Lucius (F-Word), MF Paul McKenna (Preston North End), MF/F Siyabonga Nomvethe (Aalborg), MF Robert Pires* (Villarreal), MF Aleksandar Rankovic (ADO Den Haag), F Hasan Şaş* (Galatasaray), MF Ervin Skela* (Energie Cottbus), D Curro Torres (Valencia), D/MF Steve Watson (Sheffield Wednesday), F Sylvain Wiltord* (Marseille), MF Ricky van den Bergh (Heracles), MF Zheng Zhi (Charlton).
#5 - Zé Roberto* (Bayern Munich)
Long linked with FC Dallas, the left/central midfielder is showing his Fountain of Youth-type stuff as one of FC Hollywood's top performers this season. His versatility, leadership and skill would make him the perfect swoop target for a handful of MLS clubs. The problem is: he may actually be playing too well to leave Bavaria.
Who should be calling? Colorado need a two-way guy to soak up destroyer Pablo Mastroeni's offensive responsibilities and... well... some crafty speed work to support left winger Colin Clark. The Brazilian may decide to stay with Bayern or he may depart for a foreign land. It's up to MLS to see that the destination is not Brazil or Saudi Arabia.
#4 - Gregg Berhalter* (1860 Munich)
You knew there had to be one American on the list, and the veteran Lions center back is my "Most Likely To Come Home". Not only could he finally take part in the domestic league, but he could set up his post-retirement coaching career (Berhalter already has his "B" license). After being a stalwart for years, Berhalter is suddenly a back-up at the Allianz, which means he could be relatively fresh come summer...
Who should be calling? I want to say "Fuhgeddaboutit. New Yawk, baby!" - but they are rather far down the allocation list. D.C. United, however, are desperate for a veteran defender and sit #3 in line. This one's so simple even Congress couldn't screw it up (knocks on wood).
#3 - Christian Panucci* (AS Roma)
While up now 35, Panucci can still provide energetic play at right back or in the middle - he even scored a goal at Euro 2008 last summer. He has flirted with the move before, and is now so fed up with the capitulating Giallorossi (who can blame him?) that he is ripe for the picking. Plus, he would be able to visit his ritzy Dominican Republic eatery Cafe Milano more often.
Who should be calling? Is there another team in the world crying out for veteran backline leadership so loudly as the Los Angeles Galaxy? And wonder of wonders, they hold the top MLS allocation spot at the moment.
#2 - Fernando Morientes* (Valencia)
Now a bit Mestalla player, the 32-year old forward is sure to have some European suitors, but he has often spoken of MLS. He has over 200 goals in England, France and Spain, and could provide a "Juan Pablo Angel spark" to someone in America. It seems the perfect time for him to hop the pond.
Who should be calling? With Kenny Cooper surely out the door before long and the #2 allocation slot, FC Dallas appear the place for El Moro to go. He has also been linked with Seattle, but they already have a few big salaries. At Pizza Hut Park, the front man could feast off Dave van den Bergh crosses and provide someone for speedy guys like Jeff Cunningham and rookie Peri Marošević to run off of.
#1 - Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul)
I know he's not yet 30, and I know he has several suitors in Europe. I also know that he didn't overly enjoy his time overseas. I also know he is a sturdy traffic director of quite impressive caliber.
Who should be calling? This is a no-brainer. Chivas USA have lost Panchito Mendoza and will lose Sacha Kljestan, while Jesse Marsch, Raphaël Wicky and Sasha Victorine are each over 30. Furthermore, the Goats badly want a popular Mexico international. Well... here's one who would be well worth low-Designated Player money.
- Greg Seltzer
Posts
4 comments:
Greg,
Thank you for this! Do you have any similar info for players in South America, Mexico or other parts of the world?
Interesting read.
Thanks, Eugene. There were a few issues in researching such players out of South America and Mexico.
First, it was difficult to determine precisely how long most players were signed. Second, many of them were either ancient or quite young - the latter being either highly talented and unlikely to come to MLS or players I was unfamiliar with (which is definitely a major blind spot I have when compared to league scouting staffs).
Torrado was one I could confirm, and too perfect to leave out, at least as someone MLS should make a run at.
Why do you bring up allocation order in your discussion of Morientes? Allocation order shouldn't have any effect in determining which team gets a non-American who never played in MLS before, right?
@ aaron: As I understand the crazy system, the signing of Morientes, a noted senior international, would (or perhaps only could) affect the allocation ranking if he is not signed as a Designated Player.
I'm not sure how likely this is, but I figured I'd assume the allocation just so I have it covered. I didn't actually realize FCD was so high until after thought of sending him to Dallas - they don't all work out so well. :D
* There is also the less likely case that two teams file a league request for him on the same day, which automatically makes the player one needing an allocation.
Post a Comment