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LA Galaxy: Would Chicharito or Zlatan be the best fit?

By Chuck Wharton

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Javier Hernandez of West Ham United celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Watford at London Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Javier Hernandez of West Ham United celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Watford at London Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
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Late transfer rumors have Zlatan Ibrahimovic heading to MLS and LA. Would he make sense as an addition for the  LA Galaxy? How about Chicharito?

In a recent ESPN report, LA Galaxy officials wouldn’t commit to how far negotiations had progressed. Sigi Schmid would only say they recognize Ibrahimovic would definitely have a strong, positive impact the team seeks.

"Schmid: Guys like that have an impact on your team. Obviously, he’s been a successful player, he’s won trophies everywhere he’s been, but until it happens, I’m not going to worry about it."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on December 26, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on December 26, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Ibrahimovic seems happy with Manchester United and stays in negotiations for a new contract there. He could fit as a forward in any MLS formation that the LA Galaxy goes with, especially the 4-2-3-1 favored by both the Galaxy and Manchester United.

Despite being 35, he has such a strong pedigree and international brand that it’s easy to understand the case for why a club like the Galaxy would sign him.

But is there a better option?

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Javier Hernandez of West Ham United reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Watford at London Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Javier Hernandez of West Ham United reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Watford at London Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) /

Then there’s Javier Chicharito Hernandez. Writing last April, we noted that LAFC had talked with him as he prepared to move from the Bundesliga’s Bayer Leverkusen. Instead of MLS, the 29-year-old striker landed at West Ham United, where he got the added playing time he craved.

In fact, he’s starting. Frequently he works from a complex 5-4-1 formation.

With Chicharito’s increased experience in formations, both MLS standards and complex, he could easily and quickly fit in. His experience across Europe and appeal landing at a club so close to home for him, place the Galaxy as a top contender for this next move.

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Nothing has changed since April to convince me that Chicharito’s contributions aren’t worth pursuing. In fact, the player himself stated he was hoping to be moved from West Ham during this past winter transfer window. If the LA Galaxy decides to give up, their neighbors should continue the chase. A strong, attractive deal with a loan-back option with their club in Europe would do it.

Zlatan is Zlatan, but Chicharito is the player that would help the Galaxy more – both now and in the years to come.

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