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January 12, 2018 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C - It's been a quite a busy offseason for Vancouver Whitecaps FC manager, Carl Robinson. The Caps have signed six new faces for the 2018 season, while also saying adios to several fan favourites. The key acquisitions of Kei Kamara, Anthony Blondell are sure to add a significant boost to the Whitecaps FC offence. Doneil Henry, is expected to provide depth on the back-end, and Brian Rowe will compete in goal.
The next possible addition to the Vancouver roster is expected to be 29 year-old defensive midfielder, and right full-back, Efrain Juarez. Several reports have linked the C.F. Monterrey and Mexican international with a move to MLS with Vancouver.
"The addition of Effie (Efrain Juarez) once it's done and dusted, if it is. Effie will play in the midfield so that's a good addition for us," Robinson revealed on Wednesday.
How exactly will the 39 times capped Mexican senior player fit in with Whitecaps FC? It has been speculated he could play full-back, but that's not exactly what Robinson envisions.
"Listen Effie can play on the right side," Robinson said, "We've known that. Effie's background is, he likes to play in midfield. He will play in midfield for me. He will increase the competition in central midfield. He's predominately being brought in to play as a central midfield."
The Caps gaffer is still looking to add two or three further pieces to his team before the MLS campaign starts on Sunday, March 4 vs Montreal Impact. Any additional pieces to the roster puzzle aren't subject to the return of Peruvian international Yordy Reyna.
"First of all thoughts are obviously with the family," Robinson said. "It's a horrible thing to happen. As you've said, Yordy's been cleared. I spoke to Yordy, and I expect him to come back in January. There's a big year ahead of him for the World Cup. He wants to get into that squad. Until I know, he's back here, and I can sit down with him face to face, he's been at his Mom's place in Peru. He will be back, and we look forward to having him back."
While Reyna will return, one player who is unlikely to don a Whitecaps FC kit, is defensive midfielder Nosa Igiebor. Red Nation Online has learned that contract talks have been up and down. It's suggested Nosa would like to return to the club, however salary constraints aren't in his favour.
"We took a risk on Nosa, we brought him in, knowing that he had good pedigree," Robinson explained, "He had a good back ground, but he had been at two or three clubs in two or three years. It was a low risk for us. He come in and it took a number of games to get him fit."
Former Whitecaps FC fan favourite, Davide Chiumiento is fit and clamouring for a return to the Caps. The 33 year-old Swiss international enjoyed some of his best playing days while with Vancouver. Chiumiento trained with Whitecaps FC for two weeks in the fall.
He wants to come back, and he's made it widely known to Carl Robinson. Whether or not there is an opportunity for Chiumiento part 'due' the gaffer wasn't tipping his hand.
"Well that's a real question isn't it," said Robinson, as he searched for his answer. "I'm in contact with Davide, he loves the club, we know that. We know the fans love him, he's got a lot of respect from me. I've kept in regular contact with Davide, and there might be a possibility he comes into preseason to see what we're about. He wants to come back, which is important. I want players who want to play for this football club. I'll speak to Davide."
The silly season isn't always about which players will be coming and going, manager appointments are often hot discussion point. Carl Robinson's name was mentioned as the next possible Wales manager. Robinson insists that he is happy with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and he hasn't talked to anyone about the Wales job.
"Listen, as a manager you're always flattered when your name gets mentioned," Robinson said. "I've got a fantastic job here, I work with some great people. I'm happy here, but I'm a very passionate Welsh person."
If the Welsh FA wanted Carl Robinson to manage the national team it would likely be hard for Robinson to turn that down. His busy, tireless, work ethic during the MLS offseason shows that he is committed to the actual job he has now, with Whitecaps FC.
The roster shuffle, organizing, and planning for the upcoming MLS season continues for Robinson well before the Caps step out on to the pitch. That's exactly the kind of manager you want at a football club. Wales would be lucky to have a manager like Carl Robinson.
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