The Red Bulls took a look at several players during their stint in Argentina, but none was quite as impressive as Spanish midfielder Albert Celades. The former Real Madrid and Barcelona man showed the quality that one would expect from a player with his resume and he showed enough to lead the Red Bulls to make him an offer.
Celades has accepted that offer, having completed his signing with the Red Bulls on Tuesday. Celades was in New York to sign his contract on Tuesday and will join the Red Bulls for training on Wednesday, SBI learned on Tuesday.
In Celades, the Red Bulls add a polished and skillful veteran presence who should step in and challenge for a starting role in central midfield.
The Red Bulls aren't done there. The club is still expected to add Salvadoran left back Alfredo Pacheco and is still working on trying to acquire Costa Rican right back Carlos Johnson.
What do you think of this signing? Are you starting to see the Red Bulls as a serious title contender? Are they ready to challenge Columbus and Chicago in the East? Still not sold on the wholesale changes leading to on-field success?
Share your thoughts on the Red Bulls signing Celades in the comments section below.
After 13 seasons of high expectations only to be disappointed year in and year out, it’s wait and see how the season unfolds.
I like Trex’s line-up best.
Let’s see how this team plays in games that matter before we start booking a parade. Maybe I’m a glass half empty sort, but how would we rate this team’s chances if they’d been bounced out in the semifinals last year?
As for Celades, I just hope his fitness (and ability to stay fit) match his pedigree.
i would add hall to that above list of key subs
Stammler on the bench?? Not a chance. Try this…
——–Angel——Oduro——–
————-Rojas————–
Smith——————-Richards
———–Stammler————-
Pacheco——————Johnson
——–Petke—-Celades——–
Celades and Stammler will probably interchange alot during the run of play.
I think Celades is a good signing, a quality player who’s career never really blossomed like it looked as if it would when he was very young. Great institutional background, and still has something to play for and validate in his football life. I don’t know about this Pacheco guy, what are his qualities?
I’m with you on the lineup D4, except I assume your “Ramos” is really meant to be Rojas.
Interesting that you have Stammler as a sub, when he was a vice-captain last year. I guess he could be on the bench regularly? I’ve no idea
————–Angel————
Khano——Ramos——Richards
—-Celades—-Pietravallo—-
-Pacheco—-Goldy–Petke—-RB-
————-Cepero————-
key subs: Stammler, Kandji, Oduro
Yess on the signing
Booo on the jersey
A signing for which most pessimistic person’s can look on with a slight optimism. Good signing by the club. Hope he teaches the younger players some of those touches and passes.
I’d prefer they look at another option at CB and let Hall start the season at RB. If they’re keeping Pietravallo around at 200k a year they’ve gotta be thinking about giving him a run of games, at least at the start of the season. Who knows?
I always agree with Allegre…I am quite pleased, but ofcourse still feel it would be added bonus/ insurance, to have that dynamic additional proven Colombian delantero!!!…and p.s. on the short obsession, Del Piero anybody?…and ummmm that lil dude called Maradona? Thanks for the Forza Canna props too!
Ives, or anybody… if all these signings go through, can anyone predict a starting lineup for me??
well finally we have some one to support angel, i am not saying we dont have ANY. i meen it will be helpfull for angel
This is the lineup i think we might see on opening day:
Angel
Kandji Richards
Rojas
Ubiparapovic
Celades
Pacheco C. Johnson
Goldie Petke
Cepero
A great blend of athleticism and Great tactical players. I have a really good feeling about being RBNY being the best team in the league.
By far THE WORST jersey they’ve ever had. Terrible.
I know I’m late to this party and I’m sure it’s a good signing. But let’s see what he does – he is 34 after all.
fwiw, mlsnet does not list Borman, Richards, Kandji, Boyens, or Oduro as Internationals.
Can anyone clarify?
International spots
1. JP Angel
2. J. Ramos
3. J. Pietravallo
4. A. Celades
5. D. Richards
6. D. Oduro
7. D. Borman
8. M. Kandji
9. A. Boyens
(10. A. Pacheco)
(11. C. Johnson)
US citz/green card holders
Wolyniec
Echeverry
Sassano
Mbuta
Palacio
Ubi
Hall
Stammler
Smith
Mendes
Goldy
Petke
Conway
Cepero
Boss
Center back size is overrated, look at Cannavaro he is barely 5’9 an dhe is a great CB. He is the exception of course, but the Americans too often rely on the eyeball test rather than skill and ability
It looks like Pacheco is official as he is just waiting on his new passport which he expects to get this week.
Lou –
Apparently, Pacheco says he’s signed, no one at RB s saying a thing.
-Mike
I heard Pacheco was already signed, though i don’t believe johnson was. There have been reports that include pacheco saying he is happy to be a red bull etc etc. I see Celedas playing defensive mid with stammler or ubi, that may been that pietravallo will be gone (more good news, he just eats up cap space).
Too soon to call them a title contender. Have to complete revamping the backline and hope everyone can mesh. While there’s reason for optimism with Rojas, we also know that he can be a nonfactor. And Khano Smith appears to be a total wildcard. And then there’s the question of how all of these speedy pieces we have are going to make it into the lineup…
Lots of questions. But things are not looking bad.
Yeah, buddy! I like the way this team is taking shape!
YES!! Go Osorio!!
RBNY Shaping up to be MLS Title condenders, and it won’t be a surprise this time.
Kudos to Oso and Agoos! Great signing…now finalize Johnson and Pacheco and look out MLS…here come the NY Red Bulls!
Nick,
The idea with height is that he may be playing centerback. But regardless, I agree with you. It doesn’t matter that much at all.
-Mike
Who seriously cares about how tall a defensive midfielder is? The focus on height/build on American soccer websites is completely baffling to me.
I’m sure you all would have passed on Makalele 5 years ago because he’s just ‘too damned short’.
Certainly seems like NYRB is making some shrewd signinings. They seem to be bringing in lots more backline quality than DCU (ok- it’s out of the bag… yes I’m a DCU fan). Bad news for the rest of league depending on how well the signings adapt.
We all know how that turned out for DC in 2008 but then again comparing the two Gonzalos to Celades is not even worth it 🙂
most excited i have been for a season in a long time
Great news! I’m psyched for the season. Finalize Pacheco and Johnson and yes we are contenders with Chicago and Columbus in the east.
Sounds like he’ll play CB in a 4-4-2/4-3-3(stammler at D-mid) and D-mid with stammler in a 4-2-3-1.
Things are looking good!
Danny –
Thanks man! Just saw that. Good news if true (and, of course, if every new guy lives up to their hype/potential)
Wow, this is huge. I’m sure if he was tall enough for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, he’s probably tall enough for RBNY. I’m really looking forward to the new season!
Awesome! Promising.
But, my only question is why didn’t we sign him to join the Red Bulls in July?! He must obviously not want to be here. We only need him for 13 games. And, it would be great if he were going to get call-ups to the National Team for those last 13 games. Only then would I believe he REALLY wants to be with the Red Bulls at all.
This is good. Is he number 5 in above picture? Looks tall enough to me.
Osorio is showing his value…RBNY should be tough to beat this year.
kahlva,
According to the El Salvador media (and Blewis’ website — hope you don’t mind me plugging him, Ives) Pacheco is all but signed…$30,000 loan and just waiting on passport…
Great news! Though it is not clear whether he will be used as a centerback or a central midfield option, Celedas will surely add polish and experience to the center of the field for Red Bull. This is very much needed as the club do not currently boast a player of this type. When you look at the central midfield core of Sassano, Sinisa, Stammler, and Pietra, none of these guys are at all similar. All have average skill and are more physical than technical. Celades will bring that technical ability that VDB brought last year on the left. Even if he were to come in as a defender, he’s an upgrade to Goldy who had been pairing up with Petke.
Yes they become a contender and I gurantee them back into the MLS CUP FINALS
Awesome!
I actually doubt he’ll see much time in CB, mostly as a Defensive Mid.
And I do think we’ll sign Johnson. Not sure about Pacheco.
The big question is – who gets let go??
Amit,
Good call. And the international slot as well.
Duh on my part…acting like Johnson & Pacheco were official!
Is looking good so far!!!
so who goes if we sign Pacheco and Johnson?
This season has so much promise for RBNY! From the intensive Argentine training to the additions to the team, there is a lot to be excited about. I can’t wait to see the upcoming formations the additions of these players will allow Osorio.
Love that Red Bull really seems to have stepped up to the plate in support of the team! Hoping for a great season and maybe open Red Bull Arena with a championship team.
I thought Pacheco and Johnson were already signed? Great the the Red Bulls have added an experienced defender that can play CB, although I don’t believe Celades is very tall.
Danny, as of now, Celades is probably just taking up the spot left by the departure of Chris Leitch.
gonna be a rough start to the year with the changes to backline. Good thing its easy to get into the playoffs
Impressive.
Ives, do you know who was cut and/or moved down to Dev roster spot?