LA Galaxy snatches another prospect in Samuel Grandsir
Another MLS club swiped another young prospect from English soccer scouts as LA Galaxy signs AS Monaco attacking midfielder.
Midfielder Samuel Grandsir, 24, has shown up on Watford FC scouts’ radar, even before they were relegated from the Premier League to Championship. But the organization hesitated to close the deal and LA Galaxy got him.
FC Cincinnati went to Brazil and got a contract inked with the player. So Arsenal can stop compiling the Brenner reports now.
Grandsir is not quite as developed a player as Brenner. That doesn’t mean Watford coaches will feel justified in losing him to LA Galaxy in MLS. After all, if Watford FC didn’t have plenty of room for development overall, the team would still be competing in the Premier League.
So Grandsir needs to develop his skills. And Galaxy staff has committed to coaching him up.
Making scouting news in Europe
The attacking midfielder first started making scout-news at age 22 in Ligue 1. That season he got just 699 minutes of play, yet generated big chances per 90 minutes at a rate of 0.64. In Europe, that rate was topped only by Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Serge Gnabry.
Overall Grandsir has score 12 goals in 131 first-team appearances. Galaxy has roster room to spend time growing him. He joins wingers Efra Alvarez and Cameron Dunbar. The team still has an open Designated Player spot. That’s because the Grandsir contract will be paid using Target Allocation Money.
Yet with his goals record, Grandsir’s scouting reports consistently praise his defensive contributions on the pitch more than anything. He enjoys making tackles. When he gains control of the ball, he looks to cross or execute a short pass.
His defensive contributions will increase once LA Galaxy coaches cure his weaknesses. The most glaring of those are in aerial duels and keeping hold of the ball.
He favors his right foot. Late in games, he can fill in at a forward spot. He’s been most effective in the right pitch. But he has had some success the past four seasons at left wing.
His professional career started with Troyes in 2016. He moved to Monaco in 2018 but spent most of the next two seasons on loan with RC Strasbourg and Stade Brest 29. He’s made four international appearances with the France U-21 team.
Next. FC Cincinnati signs Liga MX star Luciano Acosta. dark
The Galaxy has taken an option for one year on Samuel Grandsir. That will be enough time to see how the winger responds and develops as a player.
Look for more defensive contributions. And more goals from Grandsir.