Chicago Fire Rumor Mill: Dimitris Salpigidis
by Tweed Thornton on Dec 24, 2011 2:06 PM CST
in Fire Roster News & Analysis
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PrintChicago Fire head coach and technical director Frank Klopas recently traveled to Europe for his annual scouting trip. Earlier this week, the Fire posted a little story and a video of Klopas wrapping up his trip by visiting Atletico Madrid. Things have been fairly quiet on any European players that might but coming over to play for Chicago but the Greek press has the first morsel of information just before the European transfer window opens.
SentraGoal.com has this article on Greek club PAOK's Dimitris Salpigidis receiving interest from the Fire. Several other European teams are reported to be in the mix too but Klopas' Greek connections helped Chicago land Nery Castillo from Shakhtar Donetsk. Salpigidis likely wouldn't be as expensive as Castillo but he also has a lower ceiling. He would be five years older than when Castillo played here. After the miserable failure of the Nery experiment, I imagine fans are fine with taking some stability over a player that can be described as 'mercurial'.
Salpigidis has experience playing as a striker and on the wing in the midfield. That fits well into either taking Marco Pappa's spot in the 4-3-1-2 should FC Twente actually come through with their rumored purchase, challenging/backing up Patrick Nyarko and Dominic Oduro up top, or even getting some time in Sebastian Grazzini's role. Nyarko and Grazzini faced injuries last year, Oduro was forced to play a lot of minutes, and if Pappa is around he will be out for occasional international duty. Chicago needs at least one player that can come in for one of those four without the Fire losing too much offensive punch.
Salpigidis would get a designated player deal or at least close to it. That's what happens when you are a regular on Greece's international team. That status hurts his value this year because he will be out for all of June thanks to Euro 2012.
Given Klopas' Greek connections, rumored troubles for PAOK's finances, Salpigidis fitting in with team needs, and a couple of reports, I'd file this under a solid maybe. We'll keep you posted if we hear anything else.
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The inevitable FM stats comment
Football Manager’s database isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty damned good. They rate Salpingdis (he’s got an ‘n’ in there in the game) as an athletic guy who’s technically a bit limited.
Out of 20: 16 pace, acceleration, stamina, 15 strength; 11 finishing and 1st touch; 8 passing (?!). If the mental stats are correct (18 determination, 16 work rate and bravery) than he’s tough-minded, which is always welcome.
Interesting, I don’t play FM. How does he compare to Marco Pappa, Sebastian Grazzini, etc.?
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by Tweed Thornton on Dec 24, 2011 2:27 PM CST up reply actions
In comparison...
According to FM, both Pappa and Grazzini are superior to Salpingdis technically, but neither can offer his athleticism.
Pappa’s best rating is flair at 16, but his technical ratings are consistently a notch above the Greek. 13s in crossing, 1st touch, passing and long shots. Pappa’s athleticism isn’t bad either – 14s for acceleration and fitness, 13s in pace and balance.
Grazzini is an interesting comparison. As pure specimens, Salpingdis is clearly superior – in fact, Grazzini’s stamina (9) and general fitness (10) wouldn’t fill me with confidence if I was hoping to build a midfield around him. But his technical and mental stats put the Greek to shame: 15 in passing, 1st touch, creativity and decision-making – which is why he features as often as possible for the Fire.
All-in-all, I’d rate Salpingdis as a C+ acquisition – clearly he has something to offer, but it doesn’t seem likely he’ll make a tremendous impact. Sort of a Greek Sanna Nyassi, maybe … do we need more pace up front? I’m dubious.
He looked good in the World Cup... I saw all 3 of greece's matches.
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
by johnjahafanclub on Dec 28, 2011 5:25 PM CST reply actions
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