This is another in a series in which AJC reporter Doug Roberson will begin to look at Atlanta United’s possible player signings ahead of their 2017 inaugural season in MLS. Some potential signings, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, may be considered fanciful, and rightfully so. Some may be so practical as to be obvious.
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A few months ago, Goal.com compiled a list of players whose contracts will expire at the end of this European soccer season, which is just about done.
That means those players are available on free transfers, a much cheaper way of filling key spots on a team, and a possibly great way for Atlanta United to start to fill out its roster.
However, buyer beware.
There are usually pretty good reasons why some players haven’t had contracts extended or renegotiated.
Other players, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, simply wanted their contracts to run out.
These are players 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. Atlanta United’s front office personnel won’t discuss any players that aren’t under contract with them:
Kolo Toure, central defender
Most recently at Liverpool
Toure has been a consistent performer at central defender for Arsenal, where he was a member of the “Invincibles,” Manchester City and Liverpool during his time in England.
It seems likely that Toure will re-sign with Liverpool as soon as the team knows the fate of Mamadou Sakho, who earlier in the season failed a drug test.
Pros: Known as a good leader and reads the game well.
He may have played arguably his best game in years in Liverpool's loss to Sevilla in the Europa League final.This play in which he ran down a Sevilla player in a 20-30 yard sprint to make a vital tackle speaks to his desire.
This was written about him in the Echo, a newspaper in Liverpool:
Ask Steven Gerrard, ask Jordan Henderson, ask Brendan Rodgers, ask Jurgen Klopp – he’s adored by all who play with him, a leader in the dressing room, a friend and a colleague, capable of lifting spirits and driving standards, in training and in matches. He’s let nobody down whenever called upon during his Anfield career.
More than that, though, he’s got the CV of a champion. A Premier League winner with two different clubs, and an African champion with his country. His next appearance in England would be his 500th. Some going.
Cons: The 35-year-old is no longer quick enough to maintain a consistent starting spot at either City or Liverpool. Playing in the heat of the U.S., and on turf, could be too much.
Combine the elements with the league's physical nature and it could be too much for Toure. New York City's Andrea Pirlo refereneced the style of the league in recent comments.
Plus, owners in the MLS don’t tend to spend the big dollars (even targeted allocation money) on defenders.
My verdict: Perhaps not a bad signing with TAM, but not a DP.
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