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Posted by
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July 15, 2015 |
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Aaron Nielsen
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@ENBSports
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With the European Soccer season in the middle of its offseason, clubs are restocking their squads. In a similar fashion that we are used to in traditional North American Sports, this includes players who are free agents. Most free agents in soccer are out of contract players who either choose not the sign with their clubs or players who were let go. Due to the amount of professional leagues in Europe this includes quite a few players and in my personal database there are close to 2000 players who were free agents after the 2014-2015season. Of these 2000 about 600 or so players played at a comparable quality of what we would call “MLS quality” or in Europe tier two/three leagues or the lower division of tier one leagues.
Some of these players are big names such as Didier Drogba, England international Glen Johnson, and French international Yoann Gourcuff, to name a few. All would be interesting signings from an MLS perspective, but would also be under the category of designated players and if signed would be used by MLS clubs as much as a marketing tool than what the player would provide on the pitch. Personally, I have a close relationship with a few clubs in Europe and use my statistical database and other scouting tools suggest potential players to sign. Most of these clubs have comparable budgets to MLS clubs, minus the designated players and play a similar quality to the MLS, with the most important goal is success on the pitch. Under the brand of my new project ProspectXI, I will suggest younger players who I feel would not only provide added strength the upcoming season but can also be sold for profit in the future. However, many clubs are not concerned about generating sales return and care more for winning now so are interested in players of all age groups.
Of the current players who are still free agents, there are a hundred or so who I feel will provide value and worth signing for the upcoming season, including the current MLS season. The reason for this is their consistent play including the recently completed 2014-2015 season. As well as the minimum risk for the club, including no transfer fee and in the case of the MLS players you can afford at the lower end of the salary cap range. One of my biggest criticisms of MLS has been their poor scouting in finding these type of players and lack of risk or effort in general recruiting. MLS clubs have shown some improvements, a good example is Toronto FC signing of Bruno Cheyrou and Damien Perquis, who are actually more high profile than the players on my list, but have the same combination of experience and ability and could provide a MLS club similar levels of success and at even a cheaper costs.
Here is an example of 10 players who if signed by MLS clubs this summer could improve the overall quality of the club for this season and future seasons, as well and be an improvement on players currently in the league at comparable wages.
Marvin Elliott, Holding Midfielder
Born in England, although recently he became a Jamaican international, including scoring a goal in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Panama, Marvin is a strong and hard working holding midfielder who has a number of years of success in England with both Millwall and Bristol City. He has played most of his career in the English Championship, including an eight goal, impact-season with Bristol City in 2011-2012. In 2014-2015 he played with Crawley Town in League One and scored six goals in 27 games. Known for being a very strong header of the ball, Marvin plays aggressively and has athletic ability, which makes him a dominant force in the center of the midfield. His size at 6 feet also makes him an option at center back, but Marvin also possesses good midfield skills such as ball control, passing ability and speed.
Charles Kazlauskas, Right Back/Right Midfielder
Unlike the other players on this list, Charles was actually born in United States, which means he would not count as a foreign signing. A similar background to Canadian International player and now MLS player Marcel De Jong, Kazlauskas started his career in Europe in 2001 playing in Holland and ended up having a 14 year career with clubs NEC, Fortuna Sittard, FC OSS and Helmond Sport. Playing a combination right midfielder/right back, Charles has used his ability to make an impact offensively including scoring 17 goals and adding 31 assists over the last six seasons playing in close to 90% of Helmond games. The 32 year old was born in Milwaukee and played for the United States U20 team in 2001 and a return home seems the right move for the veteran.
Mads Toppel, Goalkeeper
With MLS success of past Danish keepers such as Jimmy Nielsen and David Ousted, 33 year old keeper and free agent Mads Toppel could be a great option for MLS clubs who are not secure in the goalkeeping position. Mads played the last four season with OB Odense in the Danish Superliga and was the starting keeper the last two seasons including games in the Europa League. At 6'4, Toppel has good size and also pedigree including once the Danish U-21 national team keeper. He's known for a keeper with great diving and reflexes and will come out of his net to punch the pall and eliminate trouble. Toppel is a transfer target for other Danish teams but he could come to the MLS for an average keeper salary.
Daniel De Ridder, Winger/Midfielder
For fans who follow the game closely, De Ridder is probably the most recognized name on this list. The Dutch Winger/Midfielder played for the Dutch U21 side 30 times and also played for clubs Ajax, Celta de Vigo, Birmingham City and Grasshopper to name a few. By 2012 De Ridder returned to the Dutch Eredivisie where he has been since and played 21 games with Cambuur in 2014-2015, scoring two goals and adding two assists. Now 31, Daniel could be a risk but his exceptional technical skills and his ability to play multiple positions could also make him an asset to most MLS clubs. At his best, De Ridder has some of the skills of a Giovinco, a willingness to run with the ball and shoot from multiple areas on the pitch, and if motivated he could be a marketing star in the MLS with his trademark long hair and mustache.
Alan Dunne, Defender/Right-Back
A great example of experience, and a player who is known for being hard-nosed and leaves it all out on the pitch. With Millwall football club since 2000, the Republic of Ireland defender has played over 340 games with Millwall and has been with the club since the age of 8. Now 32 years of age Alan has been club captain of Millwall since 2014 and in the last five seasons has played over 200 league games including 39 at the English Championship level this past season. Dunne’s size of 5'11/161 is regarded as a strong marker and has decent sprint speed and passing ability, although his greatest feature is his aggression and strength which can get him in trouble sometimes, but for a league like MLS which has many naive and arguably soft defenders, Alan would be an asset on most clubs.
Gonzalo Zarate, Midfield/Winger
A player who can play multiple positions in the midfield, the Argentinian moved to Europe in 2007 and was key contributor in both the Swiss Super League and the Austria Bundesliga. Gonzalo played with Grasshoppers in Switzerland and scored 14 goals and eight assists playing in a forward position and was sold to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. In 60 league games with Red Bull scored seven goals and adding seven assists. He returned to Switzerland with Young Boys and was an influence in the midfield, although finished this most recent season as a player coming off the bench. Now 30, Zarate is a technical player who is either-footed and shows a high quality of skill moves. He also is a good free kick taker and can shoot from long range and should play well with MLS clubs who have taken advantage of other South American talent.
Joe Devera, Center Back/Full Back
Now 28, Devera is a lower league defender born in England, although his father is Venezuelan. He's been a consistent performer since his professional debut in 2006 playing with Barnet, Swindon Town and Portsmouth. Devera has played in over 200 league games the last five seasons, including 39 games during the 2014-2015 season. At 6'2 he's a defender who is useful in the box and although not overly technical he has the skill to play with both feet making him eligible for all three defensive positions. He's hard worker who plays the full 90 minutes and has above average marking and tackling skills and is also capable as using the long ball as an offensive weapon. Based on his lack of reputation, an MLS club could attempt to get him at a minimum MLS salary where he can provide great depth and potentially even be a starter.
Martin Cranie, Center Back/Defender
The 28 year old was once looked as player with a significant England National Team future, playing over 40 games with the England youth team from the U17 to U21 level. He was also part of the Southampton Academy team who made the final in the FA Youth Cup and played in Premier League games. Martin was loaned out to a number of clubs before establishing himself first with Coventry and then Barnsley playing over 150 games in the English Championship and 39 games in league one last season. A center back who is 6 feet, but with technical skill, allows him to play across the back four or in a midfield role. At 28 years of age he probably has a number of seasons remaining in the game and could be brought in by a MLS club as both a long term or short term option.
Sanchez Watt, Winger/Forward
As an Arsenal youth player, Watt was given similar praise as Raheem Sterling has gotten the past few years for his great speed and his ability on the ball. Sanchez played with Arsenal in cup games but never made his Premier League debut and was loaned to Championship side Leeds United where he played 22 games with them in 2010-2011 and League One sides Southend, Sheffield Wednesday, Crawley Town and Colchester United, where he eventually signed. Watt played 50 league games with Colchester scoring eight goals and adding nine assists and showing the skills that had talk of him being a future England or Jamaican star. Watt is a bigger risk overall than some of the other on the list as he has suffered some injuries and might not have the maturity of others in this list, but his skills are comparable to a Portland's Darlington Nagbe, at half the cost to a MLS teams cap.
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