LAFC: Eduard Atuesta what must happen with success
LAFC enjoyed one of the most productive inaugural seasons in MLS history. Re-signing players like Eduard Atuesta to long-term contracts is what must now happen as a result of their success.
I remember, a few years ago, listening to a Southampton fan on the radio. He had phoned up to talk about the goals of the club for the coming year. The hosts spoke of pushing for a Europa League place, building on a productive season the year prior.
The fan agreed, to an extent. But he said something rather poignant in contingency to that. He said that he wanted Southampton to do as well as they possibly could without losing any of their players.
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In other words, he wanted them to finish in the highest possible position that would not attract the big clubs to poaching their best players. He wanted success. But not too much. He understood the price of too much success. And Southampton, after being raided year after year, are now feeling the effects of that price.
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For Los Angeles FC, they now face a similar conundrum. Entering the season as a complete unknown, a well-backed expansion club with no history to predict the future, they proceeded to enjoy one of the best inaugural seasons in MLS history. Bob Bradley led his team to a third-place finish in the Western Conference, amassing 57 points and playing some truly scintillating football on their way to such an impressive finish.
That success, though, has attracted the vultures. Many of the players upon which this blistering start to life in MLS has been built are now being targeted by other clubs. Diego Rossi. Walker Zimmerman. LAFC have some uniquely excellent players with a bright future ahead of them. Any prospective buyer would be wise to invest.
That is why the recent news that LAFC have tied down midfielder Eduard Atuesta to a new, three-year deal is significant. Atuesta was only on loan last season, with his future wildly uncertain entering the offseason. But after an impressive campaign, in which his work without the ball was especially noticeable, breaking up play with great tenacity and regularity, LAFC clearly wanted to keep Atuesta in-house.
And so they did. They acted quickly, decisively, made the necessary investment, and ensured that the short-term future of an extremely talented and influential 21-year-old will remain at Banc of California Stadium. That is what they must continue to do with many of their young stars this offseason and in the coming months and years.
The success that LAFC enjoyed in their first season, and the anticipated success that they will likely achieve in the coming years, will have consequences. Like Southampton, clubs will come calling for many of the talent that LAFC exhibits. To sustain success each and every year, LAFC must find a way to hang onto this talent and replenish it when it does depart.
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Deals like the Atuesta one must happen when clubs achieve success and have intentions of sustaining that success. LAFC are being smart here. They are doing what they must do. But the hard work, unfortunately, has just begun.