Two players LA Galaxy could sign to replace Cristian Pavon

Here are the two players LA Galaxy could sign to replace Cristian Pavon

It is going to be a winter of transition at LA Galaxy after their disappointing 2020 season. They need to compete in the playoffs next year and have to get their recruitment right during the post-season. Dominic Kinnear’s side have been dealt a blow with key player Cristian Pavon returning to his parent club Boca Juniors.

Pavon, who is 24 years old, was a key player for the Galaxy and his departure leaves a real void in their roster. He scored 14 goals and gained nine assists this past year meaning they need to bring a replacement in to replicate that type of form.

LA Galaxy are a side that have attracted some big names over recent years. The likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have all worn the white shirt and they face a big decision as to who to bring in next. They still have room for one more designated player if they want to fork out the money to land one.

Jonathan Dos Santos and Javier Hernandez occupy their other two DP slots but they could do with bringing in an attacking midfielder to fill the gap left by Pavon’s departure. They have a chance to start anew and build a style of play around a new signing, which would be exciting for their fans going into the next campaign. Here are two players they should look into signing.

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Mesut Özil

It is no secret that Mesut Özil is poised to leave Arsenal and he would be ideal for LA Galaxy. The German international has some serious pedigree and has been linked with a move to MLS over recent times.

Özil, who is 32 years old, needs a fresh start having been frozen out by Arsenal this season and a move to America could be something he looks at to prolong his career. He still has a good few seasons left in him and isn’t ready to hang up his boots yet.

The ex-Schalke, Werder Bremen and Real Madrid man has won the World Cup with Germany in 2014. Özil has been with Arsenal for the past eight years and has scored 44 goals in 252 appearances for the London club. He has also helped the Gunners win the FA Cup three times but is now a forgotten man with Mikel Arteta’s side and appears to have played his last game for them.

Özil is the type of player LA Galaxy need to establish themselves as genuine MLS Cup contenders again. A move to MLS could turn his head from a commercial point of view as well and a move to LA for him is not beyond the realms of possibility for him. There is no doubt there will be other clubs in for him as he heads for the Arsenal exit door. If the Galaxy wanted to sign him they would likely have to fend off stiff competition from elsewhere for his signature.

Giorgi Chakvetadze

It could be the case that LA Galaxy go down the avenue of pursuing a more younger option. This way, they can bring someone in who is young and can develop them to potentially sell them on for big money in the future. MLS has a reputation of being a league where players from Europe go at the end of the career and clubs are starting to now make it the opposite.

Another option the Galaxy could look at to replace Pavon is Gent’s Giorgi Chakvetadze. The youngster is being tipped for a bright future in the game and has already established himself in Belgium. He has stood out in the Belgian First Division over the past couple of seasons and it won’t be long before he starts to catch the eye of clubs elsewhere.

Chakvetadze, who is 21 years old, has made 66 appearances for Gent so far in his career and has chipped in with seven goals and 14 assists. They signed him from FC Dinamo Tbilisi in 2017, which is the club he graduated from. Not many knew much about him when he rocked up at Genk but he has quickly become a key player for them.

The attacking midfielder is also an international for Georgia already and has scored five goals in nine games for his country. He should be looked at by LA Galaxy as they weigh up their next big transfer. He is a lesser-known candidate to sign than Özil but he does have more years ahead of him in the game.