Metros sign another aging veteran

Czar Jake · 02-18-2005, 02:09 PM

The Metros have signed another old veteran, this time French:

Soccernet's story

Do you think this is another foolish move by the Metros?

Rover · 02-18-2005, 02:17 PM

Great role player, but 37 years old? This looks more like Lothar Mattheus than Carlos Valderrama. Typical Metro . . .

Arelius · 02-18-2005, 02:38 PM

Holy crap! Another justification for my season tickets!! Djorkaeff is all class! He still has a lot left in him. Did you see him while he played in the Prem these last few years?

The signing of players of his caliber reflects very well on MLS.

Yahooooo!

Czar Jake · 02-18-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arelius

Holy crap! Another justification for my season tickets!! Djorkaeff is all class! He still has a lot left in him. Did you see him while he played in the Prem these last few years?

The signing of players of his caliber reflects very well on MLS.

Yahooooo!

I admit I only know him as one of the French WC winners. Has he been playing well in the Prem? What kind of player is he in your estimation Arelius?

Arelius · 02-18-2005, 03:21 PM

I used to watch him all the time when he stilled played for Kaiserslautern. Before Kaiserslautern, he was with Inter for 3 years.

He started his career with Grenoble, moved to Strasbourg, then Monaco and then Paris Saint Germain. He was the leading scorer in the French league in the 1993-94 season. From PSG he moved to Inter. The image of his trademark bicycle kick was enshrined on 1997-98 Inter season ticket.

With the French Nats he has at least 82 caps and more than 25 goals. He tranferred to the Prem and Bolton Wanderers in 2002, where he scored 4 goals in 12 appearances in his first season. He is more of a play-maker than a goal scorer but has a very deft touch. He ended up scoring 20 goals in 75 league outings with Bolton.

Let’s not forget that he has won the World Cup with Les Bleu, in addition to the UEFA Cup 1997/98, Cup Winners Cup 1995/96 and French Cup 1991/92.

I’m happy to see players of his caliber signing with MLS.

Rover · 02-18-2005, 03:39 PM

Quality player and a great team guy, but he hasn't played much over the last year including only a handful of minutes while on loan from Bolton to Blackburn. He does have a strong resume, for sure, but most of the good stuff was in the last millenium.

If Metro can find a role for him on the field that can make use of his skills without pushing his fitness, it can work for them. Otherwise, he's a good signing to teach their young players but not much else.

I can't stand Metro, but Djorkaeff has been a top level player so I hope he can deliver a couple of good years for MLS fans. I have serious doubts that he can at his age and current form. We'll see.

bordelais7 · 02-18-2005, 04:32 PM

Djorkaeff = talent, leadership, excellent playmaker, etc,etc. Yes, he's getting up there in age, but the guy is amazing. I personally don't think that his form has dropped off all that much. 37 isn't the end of the world. I'm very excited to see him in the league. Now we just need him to convince some of his French buddies (Lizarazu, Desailly, Micoud) to do the same 😉

Arelius · 02-18-2005, 05:59 PM

Why sign a 37 year old? This is why:

http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20050218&content_id=22570&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

Rover · 02-18-2005, 06:18 PM

Too bad none of them (Valderrama, Nowak, etc.) were 37 when signed. All were under 35. Take it from one who knows--each year past 35 counts double for wear and tear.

bordelais7 · 02-18-2005, 06:22 PM

Random Djorkaeff clip

http://www2.raisport.rai.it/news/rubriche/coppe978/199901/27/36af77b805779/21.MPG