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November 28, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - What is expected to be an extremely busy offseason for Vancouver Whitecaps FC kicked off yesterday with the club exercising options on seven contracts, while also declining twelve options.
Sam Adekugbe, Marcel de Jong, Brett Levis, Jake Nerwinski, Tim Parker, Kendall Waston, Tony Tchani all had options picked up. The same can't be said for, David Ousted, David Edgar, Cole Seiler, Sheanon Williams, Christian Bolaños, Marco Bustos, Nosa Igiebor, Matías Laba, Ben McKendry, Mauro Rosales, Russell Teibert, and Kyle Greig.
Leading goal-scorer Fredy Montero, has seen his loan come to an end. He has been returned to the Chinese Super League and club Tianjin Teda. Jordan Harvey, and Andrew Jacobson have earned MLS free agency rights, and they will test the waters. All three players could be back, but it's far from certain.
"We are still in talks with both free agents in Jordan and AJ." Coach Carl Robinson, said on Monday. "As well as Christian (Bolanos), Marco (Bustos), David (Edgar), Fredy (Montero), Matías (Laba), Nosa (Igiebor), and Russell Teibert. We are also thankful to all the players who are moving on."
When it comes to who Vancouver might sign, Robinson is holding his cards close to his sweater-vest. One player of interest is former Whitecap, Davide Chiumiento. The Whitecaps FC fan favourite was in Vancouver for the Caps alumni match this fall, and one thing led to another.
"I had a chance to talk to Robbo (Carl Robinson), we're really good friends," Chiumiento said. "He was here when I played here. We had a good talk, and he gave me the chance to come here, to train for two weeks, and to get in good shape. We gonna see what's out there, or what's coming my way, maybe."
What's coming his way, could very well be a Vancouver reunion. In those early MLS days, the club didn't have many marquee players. Chiumiento's vision, creativity, and passing prowess earned him admiration, praise, and respect from teammates and fans.
Whitecaps FC need someone with leadership, personality, and football experience. The 33 year-old Chiumineto, fits the bill in all of those areas. A lot of time has passed since he last laced up his boots for Vancouver on July 7, 2012.
Has Davide Chiumiento lost a step, is he too old?
"The problem today in soccer, is everybody that's over thirty, people think they can't play anymore," an honest Chiumiento said. "There is good players, and bad players. What I had, I still have it. In Vancouver when I was here, I played good maybe five - six months, and I had some other issues. Now, I feel older, more experienced, wiser, really healthy, and my mindset is a little different. I'm grateful that I had a chance to come and train, from there we gonna see."
The former Juventus midfielder, contributed 2 goals, and added 14 assists during his two seasons in Vancouver. After spending five seasons with FC Zürich of the Raiffeisen Super League, he is currently out of contract. At this point he has no expectations.
"It was beautiful to come back to train," Chiumiento said. "I still have fire in me to play soccer. In these two weeks, I trained really good. It felt really good with the teammates, the club, so I'm grateful for that. Yeah, we gonna see what's going to happen."
As Vancouver goes through a roster re-shuffle. It would be beneficial to have a footballer of Chiumiento's character, and ability on the books. He wants to play in Vancouver, he's familiar with MLS, and most importantly Whitecaps FC would not have to open the vault to sign him.
The gaffer knows that Chiumiento would love another opportunity to play for Vancouver, and he's aware of the potential qualities Chiumiento brings.
"I've known Davide since I was here six years ago," Robinson admitted. "He's a great guy, we know that. Fan favourite, crowd favourite. He was a fantastic little player back then, he left. I've kept in touch with Davide. Obviously he's still got a contract. He's asked me if he could come back in and train. He loves the city, loves the club, so I've said to him, come in, see how I work, see how we work, and we'll see what happens. I'm not closing any door on him. I like him as a person, he's the right type of character that I want. We'll see where we go next year. There will be evolution at this football club, there will be changes. I need some different types of players next year. I need some different types of characters next year, and he might fit into that category."
If Chiumiento does return, one thing would be glaringly different. Maestro Martin Rennie is long gone. Chiumiento would have an opportunity to play in his natural number ten position. Adding a footballer that wants to play in Vancouver with Chiumiento's skill set is a win, win, and a low risk move for Whitecaps FC.
"We never know, obviously it would be beautiful to come back, it's not something that I want to hide," Chiumiento said.
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