Nothing lasts forever! The news that superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be returning to the MLS for a new season has hit the US soccer world like a thunderbolt. Seeing as how the MLS is a league built on the kind of star power that can attract large crowds, the franchise is scattering to find a suitable replacement.
Here are 5 of the players rumored to be negotiating with US clubs and considering following in the steps of the great Swede. What impact will they have on your fantasy football draft?
Edinson Cavani
He’s Paris Saint-Germain’s best ever goalscorer and a one of the best strikers of his generation. But, his days in Ligue 1 are rumored to be numbered. And, MLS teams have expressed their interest. Cavani has replaced Zlatan Ibrahimovic once before, at PSG. The Uruguayan’s most likely destination is in fact LA Galaxy.
Fantasy Rating: A+ Edinson Cavani has managed only 59.55 points in FootballCoin this year, but this is due to missing out on games through injury. In the MLS he will no doubt be a top player with few other forwards capable of challenging him.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez‘s legacy in European club football is well established. As a Liverpool and FC Barcelona striker he terrorized defenses the world over. But, even the formidable forward has had to admit recently that his time in Barcelonamay soon come to an end. The club is already looking for a replacement. And, according to fellow Uruguayan international Nico Lodeiro, Suarez is anxious to join the MLS.
Fantasy Rating: A+ Suarez would no doubt be a superstar in the MLS. In fact, although few players have quite the personality of Zlatan, Suarez would be one of the few to get close to filling his shoes.
Adam Lallana
While Jurgen Klopp insists that Adam Lallana is one of the most influential players in the Champions League winners’ squad, the midfielder has been a rare presence for Liverpool in recent times. But, an important goal against Manchester United reminded the football world about the players’ qualities. And, now, Lallana is a transfer target for various clubs in the Chinese Super League, as well as the MLS.
Fantasy Rating: B He is not quite a star on the same level as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Lallana’s skill an experience would make him an ideal addition to your Major League Soccer fantasy draft.
Olivier Giroud
Giroud is a World Cup champion with France and a veteran of the Premier League. In fact, the striker still starts games for the French national team, which is no small feat. He hasn’t been given much attention by Chelsea manager Frank Lampard. And, with a career that previously included Arsenal, the Frenchman may be tempted to try out something new. The Vancouver Whitecaps are said to have made an inquiry into Giroud’s status at Chelsea and the player seemed to confirm he is considering a move to the MLS. Will it happen next season?
Fantasy Rating: B+ Giroud is a World Cup winner with considerable marketing potential. Moving to the MLS may be the new career start the player needs and it would almost certainly put an end to his goal drought.
Alfredo Morelos
Alfredo Morelos is one of the most highly sought after strikers in Europe at the moment. Only this week it was reported that Brendan Rodgers had convinced Leicester City’s hierarchy to invest in the player that has scored 19 goals in 25 appearances this season. LA Galaxy is also pursuing the forward and is ready to shelve out a good chunk of cash for the talented Colombian.
Fantasy Rating: A- The MLS tends to pursue players that are past their prime. Morelos is just growing into his own. The player has the potential to successfully replace Ibrahimovic, although he, for now, is missing the public appeal enjoyed by the Swedish striker.
How will your MLS fantasy draft line-up for the new season? Have your say in FootballCoin. The best fantasy drafts receive real rewards. Perfect deal? see you there.
Eduard Bănulescu
