Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran is reportedly being linked with MLS expansion franchise Nashville SC.
According to ESPN, Nashville SC is after the veteran and current Atletico Madrid defender. The 34-year-old’s contract will run out at the end of June and is also being linked with Brazilian clubs Corinthians and Sao Paolo.
Nashville SC has begun preparing for their debut MLS season in 2020 adding players with top-flight experience. David Accam and Derrick Jones are two players with MLS experience that have already been acquired by Gary Smith’s side for 2020.
Juanfran won 22 caps in his time with the Spanish National Team. He totaled 243 appearances with Atletico Madrid from 2011-19, scoring three goals and winning two Europa League titles and one La Liga crown.
He’s also appeared for Real Madrid, Osasuna, and Espanyol during his professional career.
Nashville SC are currently third in the USL’s Eastern Conference with 28 points through 15 matches.
Incredible signing. I only wish they waited until he was in his late 30s and out of his prime. Oh wait that’s exactly what the MLS continues to do.
Would you like MLS to go out and sign Pogba? What about getting Neymar, we know he is not happy at PSG.
What exactly would you like them to do?Most top players simply are not going to come to MLS while they are still in their primes, regardless of the money.
I would love for the MLS to go out and sign Pogba or Neymar…who on earth would say “nah let’s pass on him”. Point being if the MLS is going and spending millions on European players who have exhausted their options at the top level and are only coming to America because they see it as a retirement league and final paycheck, then how are we helping MLS grow? All that is doing is taking opportunities away from young Americans who need those minutes to develop and improve.
Use your head dude. Do you want the MLS to be a league where Americans can grow and improve and get opportunities to get to the highest level and thusly making the National Team the best it can be which will in turn make the MLS a strong league? Or would you prefer less chances for Americans to play domestically so that a 34, 35, 36 year old can have a final 2 or 3 years before hanging it up?
No, use your head! You missed the point of my post! Yes, I would love those guys in MLS now, but regardless of how much you pay them, they are not coming here in their primes.
There is plenty to criticize MLS for but not getting Pogba or Griezmann in their primes is not one of them. Those guys are only going to certain teams in certain leagues. Hell, Manchester United is having trouble keeping and attracting players right now because of the position they are in.
As for older stars, did Villa or Rooney come here to retire? What about Keane and Henry? Those guys came here and elevated the league.
MLS is a league with playoffs, a salary cap, a summer shedule, a useless draft, TAM, GAM, allocation lists……etc. A LOT has to change before it is ever a league of choice for big European stars in their prime.