Top five MLS bargains and where they might move
MLS has produced some fantastic players over the years and many of these MLS stars moved to the Premier League and shone. Former players like Cobi Jones, Kasey Keller, Brian McBride and Claudio Reyna all played a big part for the teams they represented in the Premier League. Former players from the MLS still playing in the Premier League include Clint Dempsey, Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Tim Howard and Brek Shea. Former MLS players have played a major part in Europe as DaMarcus Beasley at PSV, Michael Parkhurst at Augsburg, Oguchi Onyewu at Standard Liege, Carlos Bocenegra at Rangers, Jermaine Jones at Schalke, Sacha Kjestan at Anderlecht and Michael Bradley at Roma all had great success. MLS has a reputation of not being the most exciting league and the standard has been questioned; but with all the aforementioned players, is it that bad? Let’s have a look at the current MLS players who could have an effect in English and European football.
Diego Fagundez (18) – New England Revolution
Scout Report: Diego Fagundez has been a revelation for the Revs this season as his elegant passing game mixed with enthusiasm and technical abilities gives this player an old head on young shoulders. Fagundez has already represented Uruguay at U20 level and looks likely to feature in the first team in the future. Fagundez has been on the books at The Revs for 2 years, and this season he has been given the chance to show what he can do; he has definitely done this. He’s scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists this season from either a winger or floating attacking midfielder position. Fagundez terrorises defenders and ghosts into the spaces, which makes him difficult to keep quiet. At 18, he’s getting better each game he plays.
How Much: Fagundez is young and could be a cheap option in his debut season; but as his performances are getting more attention, his value is increasing by the game. Looking at £750,000 for him now, but at the end of the season you could be looking at £2 million.
Who should sign him? He is a project for any team and he is getting better by the game, but he will need to keep up these performances. Maybe Wigan, Newcastle, Norwich, Burnley or Watford, as all these teams set out with attack in mind so it’s the right environment for him.