Comments on: Zenga=Figo?

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:13:46 +0000

Logan, you’ve raised a very well reasoned point here. But by referencing Chelsea I was hoping to allude to the following: people started caring about Chelsea when they started winning, and the Revs will win if they invest smartly in players like Luciano Emilio. Chelsea signed great players, still in their primes, not golden oldies like Figo! If Figo would sign as a non-DP for say, the league max of $300K, then I say he’s worth it. If he was signed for more than a million for more than a year, then what’s the point?

By: Logan

Logan — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:13:19 +0000

Dan,

I understand your point in this post, but what you say about Chelsea here in the comments strikes me as off, Chelsea didn’t build up support patiently like other clubs ie: Tottenham, Everton etc. Chelsea had loads of fans jump on the bandwagon once they shelled out the bucks for big names. One major name is Jose Mourinho, another Portugueser like Figo.

I agree Figo is past his prime, and not really a long term investment, but I echo your earlier thoughts on his benefits in the form of crosses for Twellman [maybe it'd keep him happy for a bit] and the mentoring for Wells et all. Figo wouldn’t add a spark like Blanco or be as big of news as Beckham. But he would sell tickets, especially to the home crowd [with all the local Portuguese especially] and he’d provide leadership for the team that would last longer than his own skills.
I agree, it may not be the wisest investment, but I won’t lie, I’d love to see the legend play here.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:12:35 +0000

Thanks Jeff! I finally have a forum, usually people just don’t want to hear about the MLS…

By: Jeff Bull

Jeff Bull — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:27:01 +0000

Good post. I’m pretty lukewarm on the DP rule, but wonder if there’s not a way to accommodate a player like Figo – e.g. a geezer with a name. Whenever they next negotiate how contracts work, I’d float the idea of allowing contracts for guys like Figo, allowing a base salary right up to the limit, but then making them earn the rest through bonuses and other incentives. Would anyone bite? Would MLS allow it? I very much doubt it. But I think the current DP set-up doesn’t make much sense from a financial standpoint either.

By: Allen Taylor

Allen Taylor — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:34:10 +0000

I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.

Allen Taylor

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:20:52 +0000

Asses in the seats are temporary. Man Utd and Barca didn’t always have huge fan bases. They had to build them, look at Chelsea 15 years ago and look at it now. All it takes is time and patience.

By: Dave Martinez

Dave Martinez — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:09:33 +0000

Figo would put asses in the seats. Thats why he is so coveted.

But point well taken about the Marinellis or the world. We do need more.