Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Top 5 Candidates to Replace Thierry Henry

Which big star will take Henry's place?

Henry's Contract Runs Until the End of 2013


                                                               Via www.redbullusa.com

Enough of the articles on David Beckham's DP replacements. Who will replace the only* New York Red Bulls star player when he leaves? Who knows if this will be Henry's last season, what we do know is that this do-it-all player will be an unlikely find in the future.

In 66 games for the New York club, Henry has 32 goals and 20 assists. That puts him in the top 6 scorers and in the top 10 for assists over the past 3 seasons. All of that plus the fact that he has played 15-25 less games than all the other players ahead of him the in rankings. With Red Bulls management always looking to out-do itself, here are (in no order) the Top 5 Replacements for Misure Henry.

5. Miroslav Klose

                                                                  Via Goal.com

Linked with a prior move to New York, the now 34 year old poacher is nearing the end of his Lazio days where he has scored 27 goals in 57 games over the past two seasons. Although his contract runs to the summer of 2014, a low transfers fee and a slightly high salary (He's making $2.1 million per season) could persuade both Lazio and Klose that this is the right move.

4. Diego Milito

                                                                Via SkySports.com

The goal-scoring machine from Inter's miraculous 2010 UEFA Champions League victory is no longer. While 42 goals over the past 98 games is nothing to slouch out, it seems like his time at Inter may be over. The likes of fellow Argentinian Rodrigo Palacio, Italian bad-boy Antionio Cassano and recent purchase Tommaso Rocchi all seem to be in front of Diego as he has seen his minutes steadily drop.

Although a recent report has said that Milito would like to stay until next year, with only a year and a half left on his contract and the Italian league in serious financial constriants, are Inter willing to pay out Milito's $4.5 million salary? Only time will tell.

3. Emmanuel Adebayor

                                                              Via Dailymail.co.uk
Adebayor is the youngest player in this list at 28 years old but many suspect he is willing to make the jump to MLS soon.

Friends with Thierry, he has recently attended a Red Bulls home match. Henry could convince him to come to New York but that would have to come at a significant price. According to The Telegraph, Adebayor is making $6.4 million this season. With a transfer price listed at over $16 million, it would cost around $35.2 million to get Emmanuel on a 3 year contract. Oh, and that's without a raise in salary. The question is, are the Red Bulls pockets deep enough for that kind of talent?

2. Fabrizio Miccoli

                                                      Via laltrocalcio.blogspot.com
Miccoli is a humble player who never really got a fair shot with the Italian national team. At age 33, some say he is better now than in his 20's. The fact is, his beloved club Palermo is in a religation battle. If they drop to Serie B, it would be hard for both Palermo and Miccoli to stay together. Miccoli is this highest paid player in the club. Could Red Bull persuade the diminutive striker to come to the USA for a pay raise?

1. Kaka

                                                          Via Footie.co.za

While not a true forward, it is not secret the Red Bulls are interested in the 30 year old playmaker. The New York Post reported that Kaka was open to the idea of joining an MLS side for the right price. Red Bull is one of the highest spending teams in the league and could give him a shot at money and a title.
The rumors will get a little more juicy after today when Here Is The City reported that after Saturday's red card against Osasuna, Real Madrid would let him go on a free transfer.

Oh the possiblities.





*No, Juninho nor Cahill are stars. Sorry.

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