Is De Guzman the Answer?

By: Jon | July 16th, 2009

If you are a Reds fan by now you probably have heard the rumors of Julian De Guzman possibly landing here at TFC. Many are excited at the fact that this could be our biggest signing yet. But is De Guzman the answer to all our problems?

There is no doubt in his quality as a player. He is versatile playing both attacking and defensive mid-field. Many actually consider him one of the better holding mid-fielders in the world. If you have seen him play, not only will you see a player who can marshal the mid-field but also start creating. For kicks you might take a peek at these…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZlkFSOdcAA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ViEg5EIHFQ&videos=nNzm57ssve8&playnext_from=TL&playnext=1

Like I said, no quall on his ability. My question is however: Is this what the team really needs right now? About this time in the season we have a good view as to our strengthens and weaknesses. We are having our best season yet, but honestly we could be doing better. 24 goals for, 26 against still worries me. It would seem that, where as we are creating and attacking we should be shutting down more.

3 Year, $10,000,000!!!!!

Maybe in this sense De Guzman is what we need. Some one to keep possession, someone to feed the ball to DeRo and Amado, someone that can change a -2 goal difference to a positive one. But how much would you spend on a holding mid-fielder? How many clubs out there have a holding mid-fielder as there top paid player? I don’t know about this one. I like De Guzman and I won’t complain if this goes through. But I think there are more economic ways of tightening up our defense. Our first DP a hold´ em mid? I think I rather see cash like that spent on striker…

Think about it. While defense is honestly our biggest need right now there are cheaper ways to fix that. Our leading goal scorers are mid-fielders. None of our forwards have really cemented themselves as being a clinical striker and that is the type of player I’d like to see the money spent on. There are plenty out there, plenty who could tear the MLS apart. What is more, we deserve it.

Am I alone in this????

COMPARE:$1,500,000 a year, 39 Goals in 64 Games?????

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• Will |  July 16th, 2009 at 9:23 am

  
  
  

  Regardless of the DP contract, only $425,000 counts against the cap. It’s not as though they are having to cut back on anything to pay him. There is a premium that has to be paid to lure a 28 year old from Europe, because all other things being equal he would choose spain over Canada if he gets a descent offer. I’m happy TFC is going after a player in his prime still at an elite level as opposed to an older striker.

  TFC is doing well in offense even if it’s mostly from Guevarra and DeRo as opposed to our strikers. Gerba is coming in with an excellent strike rate both at MKD and the national team. The best part about a possible De Guzman deal would be if Carl Robinson moves to central defense. That’s where we continue to be weakest.

  Posted from Canada

  

• Laurie |  July 16th, 2009 at 11:13 am

  
  
  

  I love De Guzman — when Canada were playing Brazil here in Seattle in a friendly last summer, he was a class above all the Canadians and a lot of the Brazilians. The guys behind me kept saying, “Who IS this guy?”

  That said, that’s a LOT of money for a guy who’s not a “brand” like Blanco or Beckham.

  On the other hand, MLS needs players in their prime who’ve been playing abroad to grow.

  So I guess what I’m saying is, whatever you guys decide, I’ll be good with it. (Because I know you were waiting for my approval.)

  Posted from United States

  

• Jon |  July 16th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

  
  
  

  Im not convinced on Ali. We´ll have to see.

  Posted from United States

  

• Nolan |  July 16th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

  
  
  

  With all due respect for TFC, de Guzman should be playing in Europe while he is at the peak of his career – he showed he can cut it in Spain and Germany, two of the best leagues in the world, and it’s nice to have some Canadian representation in the big leagues (his brother doesn’t count)

  Posted from United States

  

• Lee |  July 19th, 2009 at 11:09 am

  
  
  

  What TFC needs is another defender. Without Attakora they are downright awful. They could move Robinson back or trade him for one.

  By the way, it’s good to see this blog get resurrected.

  Posted from United States

  

• John |  July 27th, 2009 at 8:46 am

  
  
  

  He’s a defensive midfielder — take a look at the problems TFC had defending a lead on Saturday, and you have your answer.

  This team does not need offensive help. Ali Gerba can score. So can Dichio — Vitti (and now Barrett) are being better utilized as ‘creative’ playmakers rather than simply strikers.

  This is exactly what TFC needs but, the deal is off the table according to various media reports.

  Too bad. It would have been a great move.

  Posted from United States

  

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