Transfer Rumours Safc beat off 10 premier league rivals to secure the leagues 8th all time highest scorer for Jozy

So you were 1000% suspicious then is that it?

 

Time will tell fella. We'll see. We both seem convinced the system won't change it's just a matter of how he'll be deployed

 

You can go off people you know

 

Under Gus we tend not to play lump ball so I don't see his height being an issue, we'll probably play through balls for him to run onto. Either way, he'll be a great addition to the squad imo.

 

Good point JD.

However, consider these key factors in looking at a probable length of a Footballer's (and other athletes) general careers - Height,build and obviously, overall fitness.

It's interesting that on average, a small compact fit player, especially small strikers, tend to have a more prolonged career compared to that of a larger heavier player.

Obviously a striker's main objective isn't to tackle all over the pitch, and therefore, if he stay injury free, and his overall fitness remains high, then smaller compact striker can ride a tackle better with his lower center of gravity....like Phillips, Cotte and Zola did...and like Messi does.

It's no coincidence at all that these great strikers (approx 5ft 7) played into their mid to late 30's.

For me, Defoe, if injury free, could easily play for at least another 4 seasons still.

 

one 0 too many. I was so suspicious it was concentrated!

My suspicion(probably a bad word but i'll keep using it anyway) was based on the dozens of stories being pumped out at that time from Canada and the US. It's had more legs than a nest of spiders.

 

But we play a slow build up game. There's never any space between opponents defenders and their keepers. The only space we can ever find behind defenders is those runs from fullback. He'd have to change the system to give him that service. Can't see it myself.

 

But i could never go off you fella.

 

He was 2/1 yesterday now ye canny get odds

 

I had a look at that time this morning and all the bookies had closed odds for the day. Damn bookies protecting themselves.

 

TSN has learned Toronto FC has agreed to swap striker Jermain Defoe to Sunderland AFC of the Barclays Premier League with US Men's National team striker Jozy Altidore and cash heading to Major League Soccer. The cash amount received has not been disclosed at this time but is believed to be significant.

Although the swap has been completed, Altidore is not yet a Toronto FC player. Altidore played for the New York Red Bulls from 2006-08, meaning he would have to go through Major League Soccer's allocation process for re-entry into the league. Toronto FC sits sixth in the allocation rankings and the club doesn't believe any of the teams ahead of them have interest in the player (Montreal, San Jose, Colorado, Chicago, Houston). However, there is sentiment among many the league would prefer to see Altidore land with an American based team, namely back with the Red Bulls. Toronto FC wants to keep the player. But depending on how the process plays out, they may be forced into a settlement with said team ahead of them in the allocation rankings if they decide they want Altidore. Again, Toronto FC doesn't want the cash transaction; they want the player.

This adds an intriguing wrinkle; if MLS head office wants Altidore in New York, they can make it happen. As sensational as it sounds, MLS could in fact play a role in Altidore landing elsewhere despite the swap deal agreed upon by Toronto FC and Sunderland. Which begs the question; how does MLS feel about having two of the top US Men's National team players both playing for Toronto? The Red Bulls are the team to watch in the coming days. If they jump up in the allocation process, they threaten the chances of Altidore joining Toronto FC while raising questions about league influence in transfer dealings. The drama and intrigue revolving around Altidore's landing spot will play out in the coming days. If all goes to plan, Altidore will be a Toronto FC player.

In Altidore, Toronto FC would potentially get a player seven years Defoe's junior and a motivated striker to resurrect his club career. It is believed Altidore would sign a four year contract with Toronto FC (financial details have not been disclosed) and will be a Designated Player. Toronto FC see Altidore as a young player (25) suited to MLS having significant value in the North American game. Altidore failed to settle at Sunderland after a $10 million move from AZ Alkmaar of the Eredivisie in the summer of 2013. In 2012-13, Altidore helped AZ to their first Dutch Cup title in 31 years, scoring 23 goals in league play. Altidore is a mainstay with the US Men's National team having scored 25 goals in 76 appearances. The striker suffered a hamstring injury in the United States opening match against Ghana in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, ruining his competition. Altidore is good friend's with Toronto FC star midfielder Michael Bradley, who is said to be "very, very happy" with the pending acquisition of the striker. Altidore returns to MLS after scoring 15 goals in 37 appearances for the New York Red Bulls between 2006-08. A swap move for Defoe was always in the cards with Sunderland's need for reinforcements up top. TSN reported talks between the two clubs were progressing last Friday. The deal fell into place after additional financial considerations were agreed upon.

It comes as no surprise Defoe heads back to England after just one season in Major League Soccer. Defoe, 32, preferred to be in England for personal and professional reasons. The striker joined Toronto FC last January from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported $10 million transfer fee on a four year deal. Reports out of England indicate Defoe has signed a 3 and a half year deal worth £80,000 per week ($129,000) with Sunderland.

Defoe had a dream start to his Major League Soccer career scoring eight goals in his first nine games. Toronto FC established themselves as an early playoff threat. Defoe seemingly became unsettled after being left out of England's World Cup squad. A nagging groin injury and shift in focus ruined his second half of the season. Returning for treatment in England and continual questions about his future were unneeded distractions. Toronto FC didn't win a game Defoe played in after July 12th.

Defoe's first and only MLS season reads 11 goals in 19 games. His two-goal opening day performance in a win in Seattle and a crucial missed late-season penalty in a home loss to 10-man Houston Dynamo will serve as the high and low points of his tenure. Sunderland win the Defoe sweepstakes with four other Premier League teams interested. The Black Cats have only scored 18 goals in 21 league games played, the second worst tally in the Premier League. Defoe joins a Sunderland team 16th place in the Premier League table, just one point out of the relegation zone.

TSN can also confirm negotiations to bring Juventus attacking midfielder/striker Sebastian Giovinco to Toronto FC continue to advance and a deal is on the verge of being completed to see the Italian join Toronto FC on July 1st. A fourth designated player spot is needed for any deal to be consummated or current Toronto FC striker Gilberto would have to be dealt to open another Designated Player spot. Financial terms are close to being completed, indicated Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment have approved an annual salary in the $7 million range. Giovinco, 27, has seen limited first team chances with Juventus this season, starting only two Serie A games. He has featured for country 20 times and would represent the type of elite playmaker required at Toronto FC. Giovinco has a superior work rate and talent to help Toronto FC bolster an attack lacking a creative spark in the attacking third.

These acquisitions of Altidore in Giovinco would be a coup for Toronto FC. Both players are in their prime, bringing talent and upside to Toronto.

 

My opinion is that we play a certain system to suit the players we have, what's to say that this is the way we will always play. I vaguely remember Gus saying he wanted to produce a fast counter attacking team, maybe Defoe is just another piece of the jigsaw?

 

Fine. If you're right though, the only way we can play him is to sacrifice Giaccherini or Alvarez. He would add pace to either of them - agreed. But whether or not he's better than them ... ? As you say, we'll have to wait and see.

 

It's a dimension he said he wanted to add but his present system won't change, just means we'll actually have a chance of punishing teams when they push us back. It will help no doubt but he still won't change the system. If we're given the possession to control games it will be more of the same. he's installed the system on every level of the club and refused to budge this whole time while we're screaming change it. I don't expect it to change. I think he'll play in an inside forward position myself.

 

Sky just reduced the odds on Ings going to the bin dippers 11/4

 

Well we'll have more options where ever he's deployed. Can't grumble with that so that's something.

 

You might be right mate but imo, he still offers us way more than Altidore ever could so for that i'm happy if he signs.

 

Don't get me wrong fella. Very good signing. I don't like the little rat as a person but a great signing all the same. I just have a feeling Gus will bypass the chance to change things and will yet again try to cram another player into a system he doesn't really suit. I think he needs a CAM or SS to force center backs to step out and create the lad some space. But we'll continue with that big unoccupied hole behind the striker which is no good to defoe as a lone CF.

 

Echo quoting the deal won't be done today, bugger there goes another sleepless night.

JERMAIN Defoe is undergoing a medical ahead of his proposed move to Sunderland.
The Black Cats are on the verge of completing a deal to bring the England international back to the Premier League after making a breakthrough last night in talks with MLS outfit Toronto FC.
The switch is likely to see Black Cats frontman Jozy Altidore moving in the opposite direction, albeit that still needs to be ratified by the MLS, who have been conducting the negotiations to take the USA international back across the Atlantic.
But while Sunderland are not expected to unveil Defoe today, the deal is edging closer, with the 32-year-old understood to be in the North East and undergoing a medical prior to his switch to the Stadium of Light.

 

@YoungSunEcho: Suggestion from @KurtLarSUN is that SAFC have spent app £6m on Defoe, of which they'll get plenty back from selling Altidore to MLS 1/2