Another tease on squad building from IMCF HQ. A late night meeting to pitch to another player, the kind of effort which can probably only mean it’s another potential Designated Player target. But does this contain a clue big enough to connect the dots back to the possible target?
I am an empanada enthusiast and who isn’t? And who doesn’t love Graziano’s? Product placement or a hint to the player’s nationality? Let’s assume the latter. An Argentine DP for IMCF makes a massive amount of sense. Anyone who gets out to games in Miami knows that Argentineans show up for soccer and they love being in a stadium watching the game live. South Florida may not have the big numbers of Argentineans as it does Cubans, Colombians or Venezuelans but you can’t go to a game without seeing a River or Boca jersey or maybe someone chilling with their maté. A lot of names have been touted as striking options but if you are IMCF you would absolutely be looking at filling your #10 jersey with a DP. The #10 jersey is always a great thing to see on the back of an Argentine player. Maradona… Messi…
Looking at the profile of Cavani as a target. Is there someone out there with a contract expiring, a big enough profile to wake people up and who would be stellar in MLS? Why yes there is and that man is Éver Banega.
Banega is the kind of technician that the team needs in the midfield engine room. A wonderful player on the ball capable of creating chances and controlling the game. He is a fantastic playmaker. Coming to the end of his career in Europe in La Liga with Sevilla he was the player Unai Emery built his Europa League winning team around. The rumours in the Spanish press are that Los Rojiblancos might be looking to cash in early. Turkish club Galatasaray had a little interest while the transfer window was open. What this means is that for a few million dollars IMCF might be able to land Banega in the winter market, so he could join up with the franchise for the start of the MLS season.
It’s a move that makes a lot of sense for the club but possibly the player as well. Banega is currently 31 years old so the security of a 3-4 year contract on a DP salary might turn his head. Éver might also be considering a return to his home country but the unique challenge of being the main man in the 305 is something that might very well interest him at this stage in his career. The possibilities are there. Might you find yourself in line at Graziano’s in 2020, turn around and see Señor Banega? Maybe.
