Here we are again with our final wishlist for Garthy Claus. With a seemingly complete winger corps but a complete void at the striker spot due to the departure of Josef Martinez to Inter Miami, Ronaldo Cisneros’ return to Chivas de Guadalajara, and Dom Dwyer’s getting waived, this one will be a little heavy on the No. 9 spot. Still, we have to do everything, so, let’s go look at our wishlist for Garthy Claus:
Wingers:
Zay:
Christian Tabo (Cruz Azul), 29
A right winger, Tabo wouldn’t start over Luiz Araujo. He’s a veteran player, having played for Racing and Nacional in his native Uruguay, as well as with Atlas, Puebla and Cruz Azul in Liga MX. He would bring nearly 12,000 minutes of experience and, in the past 5 seasons, he’s tallied up 20 goals/assists in 95 appearances. He likes to get in behind lines and can pick out a pass. According to Salary Sport and Pledge Times, he makes about $460k/year, making his salary affordable. He’d be a decent depth piece and bring some experience and leadership to the side.
Carlos Valenzuela (Club Tijuana), 25
I really like Valenzuela. I don’t know how realistic it is to expect him to back up Luiz Araujo, seen as the only time he came off the bench more than he started is when he played for Familcao in Portugal, but, if it happened, I’d be excited. The former Argentina U23 international did very well in his stint in Portugal, ending his time there with 0.39 goals/assists per 90, but really struggled with Barracas Central in Argentina. Now, however, with Club Tijuana, despite not scoring or assisting, he has over 5 chances created per 90. I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from him at Tijuana. He’s a livewire with pace who likes to take people on, will try things and isn’t afraid to have a shot. I think he’d be a really good player to bring on off the bench against tired legs. He only recently joined Tijuana and only has played two games, but his market value is very low. Who knows, maybe Atlanta can make his time there short?
Strikers:
Zay:
Chimy Avila (Osasuna), 28
Chimy has been my pick to replace Josef for a while now. He reminds me a lot of the old Josef. He’s super pacey, clearly a very skilled player who can put the ball in the back of the net, and has a fire to him. He’s also in the 54th percentile in goals/90 in La Liga, which is not bad. It’s worth noting that he’s spent a good deal of time as a winger. He has the pace and the ability on the ball to play there, but at Atlanta he’d be on the end of the chances. I really think he could light the league on fire.
Jonathan Calleri (São Paulo), 28
A very good proven goalscorer. He finished 2022 with 18 goals in under 3,000 minutes in Brasileiro Série A, had 5 in 867 minutes the year before, and 5 goals and 2 assists in 1,544 minutes in La Liga. He had good production in leagues definitely better than that of MLS and, in his first full season in Brazil, had phenomenal numbers. He’s a proven goalscorer with experience in Brazil, Spain, Argentina and the EPL. What more can you ask for?
Matteo Cassiera (Zenit St. Petersburg), 25
Another lad I really like. He was a recent addition to Zenit so this one is almost certainly off the table. It still could happen, though (look at Yuri Alberto, who came to Zenit, played 727 minutes, went away on loan and was ultimately signed by Corinthians). I think he’s one who could do incredible things in MLS. He has no goals but 3 assists in his 637 minutes with Zenit, but he had 14 goals and 4 assists in 1,849 minutes with Sochi the year before and, in his last full year at Belenenses in Portugal, tallied 10 goals and an assist in under 2,000 minutes as a 23 year old. He had 4 in under 1,800 the previous year. He’s a very good player entering his prime who can find the back of the net and is prone to finding good positions to score. If Atlanta managed to bring him in, I genuinely think he could be a 25-30 goal/assist striker with the right pieces around him.
Strikers:
Xylph
Jose Lopez (Palmeiras), 22
Lopez only played 12 games and only had 2 goals. He would probably want to get his career back on track.
Chicho Arango (LAFC), 27
For some reason LAFC wants to trade him. Arango would be a great Josef replacement. He had 20 g/a last year and had 16 g/a the year before.
Raul Jimenez (Wolves), 31
Well let’s be honest, this one is kinda unrealistic, but hey, whatever. Raul would be an upgrade on Josef
Pedro (Flamengo), 25
Ok, this one is probably more unrealistic than Raul but, like Raul, Pedro would be an upgrade on Josef. He had 27 goals and 10 assists last year with Flamengo.
Gabigol (Flamengo), 26
Gabigol is probably everyone’s first choice Josef replacement. We all know why… he’s an amazing player. He scored 28 goals last season.
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