New England Revolution: Thomas Vermaelen the necessary defensive solution?
The New England Revolution are reportedly considering a free-agent move for Thomas Vermaelen. Could he be the necessary defensive solution that Bruce Arena requires?
The New England Revolution wants a shot at free agent center back Thomas Vermaelen. His FC Barcelona contract expired on July 1.
The defender recently entered free agency with other options than joining MLS, let alone the New England Revolution, but he’s turned the most intriguing offer down.
With Vermaelen out of contract, any team can add him to the squad with no transfer fee. So, Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht in the Brussels region of his native Belgium offered him a spot as player-coach on a three-year deal. He turned it down.
He is still looking for a playing position on a suitable team. That’s after five years featuring only 53 appearances for FC Barcelona and bouts with injuries during and directly after.
He has enough honors on his résumé to qualify as a real catch for the New England Revolution. He has a UEFA Champions League title, four La Liga trophies, two Copa del Reys, an Eredivisie league title, an FA Cup and is a veteran of three World Cup runs with the Belgian national team. So when he gets to MLS, he will be one of the most decorated players in the league, that’s if he doesn’t end up with interested clubs in Qatar or China
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Vermaelen is an excellent natural defender with superb speed and deceptive leap for his size. He is also very composed in possession, with calm, composed passing. Those strengths, combined with his play style can fit in well with a three-year contract in MLS. The only problem? Health.
Over the past two seasons, he has missed a total of 40 matches. The problems he has dealt with include but are not limited to hamstring, hand, ankle, thigh, and hip issues. He has also missed huge time with Achilles tendon problems and a torn cruciate ligament earlier in his career.
Nevertheless, with a dependable return to health, he could be an invaluable member of the Revs backline, which has not been the most stable this season. They have kept just two clean sheets all season, including none in their last seven games in all competitions, despite a strong turnaround in form under new head coach Bruce Arena, and have allowed 36 goals all year, the third-worst record in MLS.
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Vermaelen boasts both the experience and the quality to solve those horrendous defensive shortcomings. He now just needs health. With that, the Belgian may be the catalyst for the Revolution to continue their leap into the playoff hunt.