Toronto FC: How would Victor Vazquez work with Alejandro Pozuelo?
Victor Vazquez has said that he would like a return to Toronto FC. But how would the creative midfielder fit with Alejandro Pozuelo now in the side?
One of the brilliant aspects of Toronto FC’s 2017 team was the complementary cohesiveness of the set-up. Greg Vanney and co. assembled a positionally versatile team that possessed players who fit together well.
Jozy Altidore was ideal with his back to goal as an offensive focal point, Sebastian Giovinco was then afforded space to buzz around the American, while Michael Bradley was the ideal deep-lying anchor and conductor to provide structure and balance to the central midfield.
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At the heart of it all was creative midfielder, Victor Vazquez, who excelled in behind Giovinco and Altidore. Vazquez was not an especially athletic player. He was skilful, possessing lovely close control, but he would rarely sear past three or four defenders. He drifted between pockets of space, used his body control and control to shimmy past defenders in tight spaces rather than driving into channels like Giovinco, for example.
He was also a supreme passer. He slid through balls between defenders, his crossing was inch-perfect, and he understood the importance of timing and weight, often playing a pass with the perfect pace to lead a teammate forward. Breaking stride did not exist when receiving a Vazquez pass.
When Giovinco departed at the end of the 2018 season, Toronto FC ‘replaced him’ with Alejandro Pozuelo. But while Pozuelo was the big-money investment like Giovinco before him, on the pitch, his influence is much more akin to Vazquez than Giovinco. He is more athletic than his compatriot and he can drive past defenders like Giovinco, though he lacks the top-end speed to do so consistently. But the crux of his game revolves around receiving the ball in between the lines, on the half-turn, before supplying runners ahead of him.
Amid talk of a Vazquez return to Toronto, Toronto FC General Manager Ali Curtis told the Toronto Sun the following:
"“Victor is a great guy and was a terrific player for TFC. I haven’t spoken to him directly for some time. While Victor still remains part of the TFC family, at the moment, we’re focused on the current players on our roster, the staff, and managing through the challenges of the pandemic.”"
Earlier, Vazquez told The Footy Talks show hosted by Kristian Jack that he would love a return to Toronto FC following the expiration of his contract in the summer. While a reunion seems like a no-brainer for a Toronto team that is ready to compete for an MLS Cup and more once again this season, questions must be asked of how Vazquez and Pozuelo would fit into the same team.
Toronto did sign Pablo Piatti in the offseason to provide that skilful, pacy dribbling competent to the attack, akin to Giovinco. Allying the Argentine with Pozuelo in support of Altidore does form an attack that looks very similar to the 2017 team, with Pozuelo playing the creative role that Vazquez made his own. So what is the need for Vazquez?
Well, in the starting XI, there isn’t much need. Vazquez does not fit. But that does not mean he carries no value. As Ilsinho proved for the Philadelphia Union last season, having substitutes who can come on and change games is invaluable. Vazquez would represent one of the most exciting and creative substitutes in all MLS.
Having sold Vazquez for more than $500,000, Toronto would have to trade up from the number 25 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order. Last summer, they concocted a deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy that consisted of $400,000 in Allocation Money and a first-round draft pick to jump up to the number one spot. Something similar would be required again.
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Is a substitute worth such an outlay? Curtis and co. will have to determine as much. But with Pozuelo in tow, this is not as easy as bringing a great player back to the team. The ‘does he fit?’ question is vital, and there is not an obvious answer.