Marco Pappa to FC Twente?
According to a new tweet by Fire Confidential's Guillermo Rivera, Goal.com Latino is reporting that the Chicago Fire and FC Twente are in negotiations for a January transfer. This certainly meshes with some past rumors of European clubs interested in Marco.
Although not all Fire fans are enamored with Marco, I personally am a big fan of his. He definitely improved his defensive work rate the second half, which is one of his big knocks. He can also score in ways no other Fire player is capable of. IF he leaves this winter, a replacement MUST be brought in.
We have money, and would likely have more depending on the deal that would be agreed to with Twente if it does in fact happen. We must spend that money and bring in some goal scoring. Frank Klopas has stated a striker is a priority, and it becomes an even bigger objective if we lose Marco's playmaking ability.
This offseason is certainly shaping up to be interesting. Rather than just seeing what we do to bring in players, we will also find out what players end up going out. Although I would like to see Marco stay, if we get a good deal AND get a good replacement in that can score, I think we definitely should pull the trigger.
UPDATE 1 (via Tweed Thornton): De Telegraaf has an update on FC Twente's position. Serbian and current FC Groningen player Dusan Tadic is listed as FC Twente's top choice and Marco Pappa is listed as a cheaper alternative. In the late summer/early fall, Pappa was being thrown out there as a replacement for Bryan Ruiz. Ruiz has since been sold to Fulham but Pappa doesn't seem closer to leaving the Fire. Marco seems to be a solid Plan C that FC Twente knows they can pull the trigger on at any moment should their top plans fall through.
6 months ago
Ryan Sealock
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Pappa can drive me crazy at times, but I wouldn’t want to see him go. If he does go, I think it would be good for him. After the way these past two seasons have gone for Chicago, Pappa seemed to give up during some games this past season. I didn’t feel like he played all that inspired this past season until after the Fire brought brought in Pardo and Grazzini.
But yeah, if he goes, our midfield/attack gets significantly weaker. Somebody would need to be brought in to replace him. If the Fire don’t replace him, the only option I can even think of would be to have Nyarko take his spot, but I don’t know how comfortable Nyarko would be on the left side.
Regarding Pappa: I’d personally be happy to see him go. Thought he was gifted way to much playing time last year and needed to be pushed by an incoming midfielder. To many times he was lackadaisical on the field and unwilling to make the simple pass to keep the attack flowing. Unless you like dribbling at 3 players instead of passing. Yes he played better down the stretch but by no means was he at his best. If you take away the RSL game you don’t have much in offensive production. He was completely invisible during the USOC final. Also he tends to drift towards the middle, which was fine when Grazzini wasn’t here but it isn’t fine any more.
I think this is another case of a player being over rated by Fire fans and observers. Solid player but by no means someone who can’t be replaced with an existing MLS midfielder.
I have no idea what Twente is thinking.
A guy like Bobby Convey is available who could come in and start in the left winger position and he actually is a left winger who doesn’t need to drift into the center of the park to be effective. He also was effective last season with SJ. Was released due to his current salary number ($350k). He can be had for half that going forward or maybe even less. Re-entry draft should prove invaluable for the Fire this season.
You can also start Nyarko on the left. He has played significant minutes on that side of the field the past two season. Has been known to flop sides mid game with Marco. Since Patrick can’t shoot but can seemingly pass with both feet there is little harm to be done to his game moving him to the left. Again making Pappa easier to replace. I’ve been of the opinion that Nyarko is significantly more important due to his consistency of being a positive on the field for the Fire. Sure he doesn’t get the highlight level goals but he is the more consistent defender and offensive creator.
Good point on Nyarko...
If he could not pass/cross effectively with his left foot, I wouldn’t want him on the left. Too many players end up playing on the wrong wing and can’t use their opposite foot, thus making them much more ineffective. Patrick does not have this problem like many others. I would still prefer a true lefty out on the left wing, but Nyarko definitely can handle it. Once we see who we end up bringing in, the need for him to move may not be necessary anymore.
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by Ryan Sealock on Nov 27, 2011 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
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