It’s that time of year to talk about transfers, so we're doing our Wishlists for Garthy Claus, and asking him to get us some defenders. With an ever uncertain goalkeeping situation and Alan Franco’s loan to Sao Paulo seeming imminent, as well as a possible revamp of our center back corps, there’s a lot to ask for here, so, without further ado, the first installment of our list to Garthy Claus
Center Backs:
Xylph:
Felix Torres (Santos Laguna), 25
Torres would be a great replacement for Alan Franco.
Zay:
Sebastian Caceres (Club America), 23
I love this lad. He’s a complete center back in my opinion. He’s not an avid passer of the ball, but he’s been above the 70th percentile in pass completion percentage in 2022-23 and in 2021-22 . He’s also a great ball carrier and he’s a really solid tackler of the ball. He would be a bit pricey, and I’m sure he’d be asking for a decent bit of money, but if he could come not on a DP deal, he’d be a very good player.
Alexander Callens (New York City FC), 30
I mean… What do I need to say? One could easily argue that he’s the best center back in MLS, and he’s without a doubt in that elite group of center backs. He’s a tried and true MLS veteran with experience in the playoffs (take NYCFC’s 2022 Eastern Conference Final push, or their 2021 MLS Cup win). He’s a free agent right now, and made $814k last year. If we get out of some bad salaries or Alan Franco ends up making the Sao Paulo loan move and we somehow get out of his contract through it, he could be a real possibility.
Luis Segovia (Independiente del Valle), 25
He’s a little less known and less likely to be what Callens and Caceres can be. Still, he’s a good player and would be a good asset. He’s a good passer, a solid defender, and good at getting the ball into good spots (He was 95th percentile in Copa Libertadores in key passes). He’s not the strongest dribbler with a 60% dribble success rate, but he isn’t necessarily bad. He’d be a good ball player who can still develop the dribbling, and doesn’t need to feature in a starring role. He would be inexpensive, too. He’s only worth $1.5M st the moment, per transfermarkt.
Fullbacks:
Zay:
Franco Escobar (LAFC), 27
I really don’t think we need fullbacks. We’re fine at the moment. But, this is an interesting prospect and if I have to write about one guy, he’s at least the most fun. An MLS vet and former Atlanta player, he can also play center back. He’s won two MLS Cups, and doesn’t need to be a starter. I think he’s interesting to say the least.
Goalkeepers:
Xylph:
Vicente Reyes (Atlanta United 2), 19
Reyes is ready for that next step, it’s time Boca…
Zay:
Vicente Reyes (Atlanta United 2), 19
Also doing this lad. I have to. He’s more than ready. With our goalkeeper situation over the last few years being an area of concern, or at least questionable, Reyes is the answer. He’s been starting with Chile’s U20 squad, and there is some glowing stuff about him out there. He’s a baller and should be in Europe in a couple years.
Sean Johnson (New York City FC), 33
He’s a free agent at the moment, and is one of the best goalkeepers in MLS. The Atlanta native would be a very good pickup. He’s got MLS experience and has won the league with NYCFC. He made $550k last year. A move to Atlanta is definitely possible, and would help the club a lot.
Comments