After a horrendous 2020 season, the Los Angeles Galaxy needs to revamp the squad once again. Of course they need to prioritize adding stronger defensive options, bring in fresh legs and ideas to the midfield, and lastly have some kind of attacking back up options.
Many of these players are all scenario based as well as best option in the bigger picture in my opinion. I am also going to leave out a goalkeeping option considering we just signed Jonathan Klinsmann.
Defenders:
Left Back– MARCELO. Yes, that Marcelo, Real Madrid Marcelo. He has unfortunately fallen down the pecking order as he has aged and began to show signs of being unreliable due to injuries. Yes that is already a sign of concern for the Galaxy, but I believe he won’t strain his body as much here in the MLS. This signing could be as important as Ashley Cole was when we got him in the twilight of his career.
Center Back– AARON LONG. An experienced Major League Soccer center-back. He has shown that he can be a consistent first-team player and a leader in the defense in these last three seasons with the New York Red Bulls. This season he had a 70% passing accuracy and 60% successful tackles. Considering how NYRB struggle to be real contenders in MLS Playoffs, Los Angeles Galaxy can try to reel him in with a convincing contract and role in this squad.
Right Back– DeANDRE YEDLIN. Once part of Newcastle’s starting 11 in the Premier League, he has now been used more as a sub there and as a starter in Cup matches. Although we do not necessarily NEED a player for this position, we can sure use his experience to help Julian Araujo advance his career and he can learn how to attack the wing as a right-back.
Midfielders:
CDM– HECTOR HERRERA. Probably the hardest player to actually get at the moment from this list, Herrera continues to be a key player for Atletico Madrid in all competitions. Although it was rumored that they were trying to offload him during the summer transfer window, he seems to have proven why he deserves to stay. If he were to become available again, he would help strengthen our midfield by adding experience, drive, defensive prowess and a danger in and around the box.
CAM–MEZUT OZIL. Not unlikely, but he will come with a hefty price tag considering his wages. Arsenal would probably love to offload of Ozil’s outrageous wages since he isn’t part of any preliminary squad. And now that Ozil also became part of a San Francisco capital fund as a strategic planner, it may be wise for his career to continue (end) in California. What will he add? Vision, assists, soccer IQ. Who will benefit the most? Chicharito. He can be a key player to bringing in more goals for the striker and our team.
JACK WILSHERE. The RISKIEST of the list since he has had an injury ridden career, BUT I think it is possible for him to save his career by coming to the MLS. As I mentioned earlier, the MLS would not be AS physically demanding as other leagues (especially the Premier League.) A healthy Wilshere, would absolutely dominate the midfield here in the MLS. Plus, him being 28 years old, he can give us at least 5 years of playing, a long term midfield solution if he manages to stay healthy.
Forwards:
STRIKER– GYAZI ZARDES. BRING HIM BACK. It was a mistake to let one of the best strikers we ever had go to a rival team. He has dominated MLS and has rejuvenated his career whilst at Columbus. He had a slump post 2014 MLS Cup, our system was not working with him which lead to him becoming a right back for us for a time being. We need goals, and if we do go back to having simple tactics and a coach that understands MLS, Gyazi would be able to come home and continue his LA Galaxy legacy.
AUGUSTINE WILLIAMS. We should already have him in our squad after the stellar season he had with Los Dos. Thirteen goals in fifteen matches, leading Los Dos to the USL play offs. We could have used his killer instinct this season as our strikers lacked that. It will blow my mind if he is not already in Galaxy’s plans, he is a MUST before someone comes to snatch him from us.
RIGHT WING– JULIAN GRESSEL. Better to have him in our squad than to play against him. He just joined DC United in January 2020, but by playing our cards right and trading some defensive options to DC, we may be able to convince DC to let him go. With 2 goals and 3 assists this season, Julian can have a great impact on our offense as well as be a good help defensively with Julian Araujo behind him.
LEFT WING– CARLOS DARWIN QUINTERO. Yes he is reaching the twilight of his career, but he is not slowing down whatsoever. Every time we play Houston he is always giving us problems down the wing. Quintero ended the season with 6 goals and 5 assists, and also landed in last place in the western conference. He possibly wouldn’t be a starter if Pavon were to stay, but he can give us cover on the left wing and even give Pavon a breather since he was the only player to play EVERY SINGLE MINUTE of the 2020 season.
Vamos Angelinos.
Honorable Mentions: Nemanja Matic (CDM), Juan Mata(CAM), Luka Modric (CM), Andre-Pierre Gignac (ST), Edinson Cavani (ST), Olivier Giroud (ST), Danny Welbeck (ST), Ola Kamara (ST), Ariel Lassiter (ST), Theo Walcott (RW), Romain Allessandrini (LW), Gylfi Sigurdsson (CM), Sergio Ramos (CB), Marcos Rojo (CB), Hector Moreno (CB), Dani Carvajal (RB), Sergio Romero (GK)
Stats are from FotMob App. I do not own any of the photographs in this blog post.
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