This is another in a series in which AJC reporter Doug Roberson will begin to look at Atlanta United’s possible player signings and managerial candidates ahead of their 2017 inaugural season in MLS.
You can follow Roberson for news about Atlanta United on twitter @DougRobersonAJC, and bookmark the paper's Atlanta United page.
Here is the series so far:
Liverpool's Kolo Toure, whoh has since signed with Celtic
Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who has since signed with Middlesbrough
David Moyes, who has since signed to manage Sunderland
Roberto Martinez, who has accepted the job managing Belgium's national team
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These are players (or managers) who I think may fit the criteria that Atlanta United president Darren Eales and technical director Carlos Bocanegra have laid out:
- They want a team strong up the middle;
- They want Designated Players who want to be in Atlanta and MLS and understand the responsibility of being the first players signed. It is incredibly difficult to build and maintain a culture in a company, it is more difficult to fix a poisoned culture;
Some may be players who probably fall into the level below the Designated Player level and into the Targeted Allocation Money group.
I’m not going to differentiate between those two groups in this series.
I again remind you this reflects my opinions only:
Continuing the series with:
Tim Ream
A report on Sunday says that American defender Tim Ream is being looked at by various MLS clubs in case he decides to leave Fulham and England’s Championship to return to MLS.
Once a an automatic starter for Bolton and Fulham, Ream is finding minutes hard to come by this season, which may explain why MLS is suddenly interested.
Pros
Ream can play almost any position across the back, which would be a valuable asset for Atlanta United, which has announced no signings who are fullbacks, wingbacks or central defenders.
He is just 28 years old, which means he has several years of productivity ahead.
He’s a U.S. international, having been capped 21 times. That will carry weight and presumably leadership in the locker room.
He may not require being signed as a Designated Player, though I would be stunned if he would sign in the league for anything less.
He knows MLS, having played for New York Red Bulls before being transferred to England for a fee of $3.3 million.
He’s good with the ball at his feet.
Cons
After signing a four-year deal last year, he is barely playing this season. I’ve searched for reports why, but can’t find a reason.
If he does require a DP salary, that’s one less slot available for Atlanta United and MLS teams rarely spend that kind of money on defenders.
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