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With Cuauhtemoc Blanco set to leave MLS this winter, and his return far from certain, the Chicago Fire will be left with a big decision to make this off-season. How will the Fire replace Blanco?
Chicago has a promising young midfielder in Baggio Husidic who is already getting playing time, but Husidic can't place Blanco's star power or overall impact. The Fire will need to sign a Designated Player capable of making a major impact on and off the field.
But who will it be? Will the Fire be able to find another high-profile Mexican player? Could a Polish star be the next target? Will Chicago sit on the DP slot and hope that Blanco returns this summer?
Who would we sign? There simply isn't another readily-available Mexican star with Blanco's type of profile. Could Chicago lure a speedy striker to Toyota Park with a big contract? Someone like David Suazo? It's tough to tell what will happen in Chicago when we really don't know who will be running the show there after this season.
What would you do if you were the Fire?
Share your thoughts below.
The only reason Blanco is leaving the fire is to be able to participate in the national team practices. If he stayed with the fire, Blanco would only be with Mexico’s national team 15 days prior to the world cup. By going to the mexican team, he will report 60 days prior to the world cup.
Blanco will return to the fire after the world cup.
P.S
Look for nery castillo to join a mexican team to gain playing time and to also report 60 days prior to the world cup.
There is no Suazo in Portugal. Humberto Suazo from Chile is playing with Monterrey in Mexico. David Suazo from Honduras is playing with Inter Milan in Italy. David Suazo used to play in Portugal for Benfica, but it was only a loan.
In which case why is he playing in Portugal?
ive always argued the point he stated that he would retire with Juve… doesnt mean the door is closed, but i think when he’s finished there he’s going to stay retired.
still the fact remains it would be a solid pickup
John O’Brien
No way Stu plays anywhere in the MLS beside Houston. Some here think he is going to do the one year deal with the Dynamo and move after the World Cup.
After Beckham, Ronaldinho probably has the most star power of any player in the world. Pick him up for Beckham-type money and watch the ticket sales rocket.
I would say Beasley. But I don’t think he’s worth that much money.
Baggio ???
Baggio is our 3rd (or 4th really when you consider Lowry) option CM.
The only thing about Baggio should be if he is going to still be in MLS in 2 years, not if he is going to replace Blanco. Are you nuts?
(SBI-He’s started the last two games of the season, so maybe you should remind Denis Hamlett that Baggio is only his 3rd or 4th option.)
Humberto Suazo from Monterrey.
Brad Friedel. Would help the Fire, Brad Guzan, and USMNT
as much as blanco is a pain he is irreplaceable for the single fact that he is a mexican icon. loved or hated you need to see him. he is also a great player who, for his age, has the moves to win games. that being said the fire cannot be hostage to this egomaniac. if they get a dp go for a great player the fans in chitown are sophisticated to go and see a winner.
The Fire first need a midfield before we start talking about getting any strikers. Unload Mapp, potential is just that potential. If he can’t deliver already then it’s time to move on with his shaggy self. Pappa could have been that player in the mid-fied but hanging around Mapp looks to have killed any hope of that.
Ronaldinho
That would make sense.
Krzynowek could score goals all day in the MLS. The only problem is, he seems like a really flighty player. I could imagine him not giving a toss after pay day.
I believe you may be wrong about Marquez signing the extension. I remember that as recently as four days ago, Laporta and Barca’s Sporting Director had been all over Marquez’s case about it.
Unload Mapp. Bring back Beasley.
hahahaha
Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs.
It will be Beasley. I got a gut feeling in the depths of my bowels.
hahahaha
hahahaha.
we are talking about centre attacking mids here people to replace Blanco, not centre backs, strikers, and wingers
i would say veron, ronaldinho, or adu
Chicago does need another centre back though to go with conde….say just below the DP mark if he would sign without that much money, Sol Campbell next to conde, this is along with veron, gaucho, or adu
too many chicago players leaving, youve got to look at some big names….keep in mind to folks, MLS SALARY CAP will more than likely be raised by some extent for next season which means chicago would have more money offer campbell below DP money
You are so right about Landin. Wow, I did not know that he was so overweight. He needs to lower the weight down to gain match fitness. He seems to have good soccer skill.
They’re talking about Humberto Suazo from Chile only leaving to Europe. David Suazo from Honduras is not in Portugal, he is back with Inter Milan. He was on a 1 year loan with Benfica. He is currently on the 3rd year out of a 4th year contract.
Just so you guys know… The reason he went to that 2nd division team is because is getting paid about 1.5 million just to play 11 games.
the answer to that question is that if you care about the game in this country and live anywhere near an MLS stadium, you should buy season tickets. if you don’t, you’re part of the problem. seriously.
Unless a sweet deal presents itself to the Fire in the off-season, (and make no mistake about it, it would have to be one hell of a deal to replace the man who has put so many butts in seats) Blanco will be back after the WC. Where else is he going to go? Back to the 2nd division in Mexico?
whys that?
Pawel Brozek from the Ekstaklasa
I agree with both Gilby and JohnC.
Chicago is going to need a creative midfielder. Jacek Krzynowek could be an option, but not at a DP salary.
They should consider a good Mexican that can put the butts in the seats like Blanco has done.
I agree they are going to need a creative midfielder.
I’m calling it now, Fire sign Hugo Chavez. Yes that’s right, the President of Venezuela will sign with the Chicago Fire. Name one person who wouldn’t want to see that.
gazza
Ummmm…Suazo is already in Europe (Portugual currently) and has been for several years. I agree he wouldn’t come to MLS though…a bad transfer to Inter and an injury this year with Benefica has caused his stock to drop but still capable of playing in good Euro league.
It’s a long shot but how about Gooch. He is coming off an injury and will need to get some games in before the World Cup. It’s unlikely he will see the field for Milan and I could see Chicago being able to pick him up if they were willing to take over his contract.
Klopas wants a younger offensive minded DP, and he loves Polish players, so my guess is Ebi Smolarek if Peter Nowak doesn’t steal him from under his nose first.
Maybe he can split the spot with Batata.
Stu Holden for one year, hes out of contract with the Dynamo. he gets to play for the fire before going to the world cup and then goes over to europe after to see how it fits.
Question part 2- how do I decide on buying season tickets with out knowing who will be on the field?
Bagio Husidic and Stefan Dimitrov have shown me they should get more playing time. But Blanco/Rolfe/Soumary/Prideaux/ all leaving create significant gaps. Fire were recognized to have a deep roster, now the pool seems more shallow.
nick garcia
Klopas could totally lock this down. Call him up, let’s do this!
No point to bringing in a DP unless they are going to put some butts in the seats. I would like to see either Van Nistelroy or Ronaldinho in MLS next season. Both still have something left and are not getting the time in Europe. Both I believe are out of contract after this season. No to the Mexican Icon’s. Blanco has been a good player, but if you are going to spend money on a good Mexican player, let it be a younger player like Vela or dos Santos.
Why does everyone name players who would not sign with MLS in the next year or two? Del Piero would be awesome, He’s not coming.
Ruud, Rudd, Ruud (VN). Actually, maybe they should spend that dough
on Nery Castillo…not to play him, but to beat his mofo ass.
Seriously, this is the most overrated player in Concacaf. Beasley used to be so, but at least he apologized. Imagine Beasely with the audacity of having a big mouth…thats Nery. The Mexicans wont throw him under the bus, but at least the Fire can. It would be worth every penny too.
Blanco will come back for the $. Enough said.
DaMarcus Beasley or Freddy Adu. Why not?
Well based on his past experiences with Chelsea and then AC Milan, I don’t think Cheva’s scoring touch will result in too many goals for any MLS teams.