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With Przemyslaw Frankowski’s transfer to RC Lens complete, it’s left a lot of Chicago Fire fans debating whether the move was a positive for the club. Clearly, it’s a good deal for Frankowski—he moves to a top five league back in Europe, where visits to see family in Poland and international call ups will be far easier.
As for the Fire, they’re losing one of their best performers over the last few weeks. Frankowski came out flying since returning from the European Championship. So, in the short term, it’s a bad thing. Big picture, though? The Fire proved they can sign a youngster, develop him, and sell him to a bigger league for a profit. That’s a good thing, even if losing Frankie stings right now.
And, if Leo Messi does move to PSG, maybe there’s a Frankowski-Messi rivalry in the works. You never know.
Another Navarro on the way?
His name has been batted around for weeks, and it’s possible the Fire will soon announce the signing of Federico Navarro, a 21 year old midfielder from CA Talleres in Argentina’s top flight. Selling Frankowski wasn’t key to making this happen—it just appears the two deals ended up coming together at the same time.
Like most of Georg Heitz’s signings, Navarro is young and potentially raw. But, if he can step in at the No. 6 role, it would allow Gastón Giménez and Álvaro Medrán to push higher up the field. Heitz’s track record with South American signings has been hit-and-miss at best so far, so if this deal does get over the finish line, it will be interesting to see if Navarro can step in and make an immediate impact, or if this is more of a long term project.
Gaga makes the Team of the Week
Gabriel Slonina is 17 years old. Stop what you're doing and watch this. pic.twitter.com/aIhjWLjGZJ
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) August 5, 2021
Gabriel Slonina’s had quite the week. After stepping in for Bobby Shuttleworth, the 17 year old made four saves and earned a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with NYCFC, wowed Fire fans with his poise, humor and intelligence in his post-match news conference, and earned MLS Team of the Week honors as the starting goalkeeper. Not a bad week, at all.