Atlanta United in for Latte Lath?

Put yourself in his shoes, I think he’d love to have an American experience.
I would have thought his end goal in joining us was to play in the prem on a massive contract. I don't see how moving to a backwater league like the MLS will help him get a Premier league move.

If he ends up at Atlanta it's because his agent is chasing his short term commission rather than thinking about Manu's career.
 
I would have thought his end goal in joining us was to play in the prem on a massive contract. I don't see how moving to a backwater league like the MLS will help him get a Premier league move.

If he ends up at Atlanta it's because his agent is chasing his short term commission rather than thinking about Manu's career.

Players are surely no different to us. If Atlanta offer him a big pay rise then why wouldn’t he consider it? I know I would.
 
Players are surely no different to us. If Atlanta offer him a big pay rise then why wouldn’t he consider it? I know I would.
And that hits the nail on the head for me. If we agree a fee and Lath ends up signing it’s a money move and not an ambition one in my eyes. If he wants the lifestyle and the money then it makes sense but in football ambition terms it’s a poor move
 
I would have thought his end goal in joining us was to play in the prem on a massive contract. I don't see how moving to a backwater league like the MLS will help him get a Premier league move.

If he ends up at Atlanta it's because his agent is chasing his short term commission rather than thinking about Manu's career.
His end goal? What’s an end goal in a footballers career? He’s an Ivory Coast international and he plays at the moment for Middlesbrough, he’s achieved a huge amount already and I doubt he’s thinking about “the end” just what’s his next best move. If our price is met he’ll move on to whoever is offering the best package and that could be in the Prem but no doubt the coffer from Atlanta is decent if the fee is £20m or more. And sorry to say it but the MLS is not a backwater league anymore. We have to get used to players going there, the lifestyle and the money is clearly as good as anywhere and getting better - certainly they can compete with the champo in terms of a draw for players.
 
I remember when I was younger moving to a small company from a large multinational for a 18% increase in pay and a job title promotion.

When I got there I found it was in a right mess, they were turning over 10% of their staff every month. Within a few weeks I realise I had made a mistake but stayed there for a stressful 8 months. It was a experience, but I should not have left the big company when I did and I did not realise the differences until I experienced them.
 
Living in American on a shed load of money.....I think as fans we overstate how much these players value playing over lifestyle and money. He's spent a significant amount of time in Italy since signing for Boro, I think that says a lot.

I wonder if it'll mean we keep him until the end of the season?
 
His end goal? What’s an end goal in a footballers career? He’s an Ivory Coast international and he plays at the moment for Middlesbrough, he’s achieved a huge amount already and I doubt he’s thinking about “the end” just what’s his next best move. If our price is met he’ll move on to whoever is offering the best package and that could be in the Prem but no doubt the coffer from Atlanta is decent if the fee is £20m or more. And sorry to say it but the MLS is not a backwater league anymore. We have to get used to players going there, the lifestyle and the money is clearly as good as anywhere and getting better - certainly they can compete with the champo in terms of a draw for players.
Of course it's a backwater league. How often do players move from top euro leagues to the MLS in their mid 20s?

He'd be mad to go to the MLS when there is indicated interest from prem clubs. If he can't hack it in the prem then the MLS will still be there. If he goes to the MLS then his chance of earning prem money is probably gone.
 
His end goal? What’s an end goal in a footballers career? He’s an Ivory Coast international and he plays at the moment for Middlesbrough, he’s achieved a huge amount already and I doubt he’s thinking about “the end” just what’s his next best move. If our price is met he’ll move on to whoever is offering the best package and that could be in the Prem but no doubt the coffer from Atlanta is decent if the fee is £20m or more. And sorry to say it but the MLS is not a backwater league anymore. We have to get used to players going there, the lifestyle and the money is clearly as good as anywhere and getting better - certainly they can compete with the champo in terms of a draw for players.

It certainly is. It's improving but it's still nowhere near a top league. Theres a few star players but most rosters are still filled with players that wouldn't look out of place in the lower end of the Championship and top of League One.

A few select players get paid well but most still aren't on a great wage. It's not a prestigious competition to win. If he wanted to play in the PL or top tier leagues it isn't a great step at this stage in his career. He's coming towards the peak sort of years and moving to the MLS probably kills off any long-time goals of reaching the top levels. You could understand a move to Saudi because of money. At least that has a clear reason. Moving to MLS won't earn him huge money that he couldn't earn in the PL and a good few seasons in MLS isn't going to earn him a move to a top league as they'll feel he will be too old to bring over when he's reaching around 30ish.
 
I’d be off personally, Middlesbrough or Atlanta City isn’t really a difficult decision is it.
 
His end goal? What’s an end goal in a footballers career? He’s an Ivory Coast international and he plays at the moment for Middlesbrough, he’s achieved a huge amount already and I doubt he’s thinking about “the end” just what’s his next best move. If our price is met he’ll move on to whoever is offering the best package and that could be in the Prem but no doubt the coffer from Atlanta is decent if the fee is £20m or more. And sorry to say it but the MLS is not a backwater league anymore. We have to get used to players going there, the lifestyle and the money is clearly as good as anywhere and getting better - certainly they can compete with the champo in terms of a draw for players.
Aren't the top leagues in the World? - EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesligia, French Lique 1 - its where the top South American and African players tend to play at the height of their careers.
 
I’d be off personally, Middlesbrough or Atlanta City isn’t really a difficult decision is it.

It is if you want to play in a top league. Career progression would be a backwards step moving to the MLS. Outside of the top tier leagues - the Championship is as good as any as a shop window. The MLS only really works for someone wanting to get a move to Europe at a young age. Or an established player winding down their career who would be offered bucket loads to join. Not really for someone who is approaching their peak age of their football career and still hasn't proven themselves at the highest level.

Why do you think Morris moved here from MLS? It certainly wasn't for the lifestyle. But for the attempt to improve their career.
 
Last edited:
It is if you want to play in a top league. Career progression would be a backwards step moving to the MLS. Outside of the top tier leagues - the Championship is as good as any as a shop window. The MLS only really works for someone wanting to get a move to Europe at a young age. Or an established player winding down their career who would be offered bucket loads to join. Not really for someone who is approaching their peak age of their football career and still hasn't proven themselves at the highest level.
I imagine the US is the big chip here, quality of life, the big vibrant city, etc, plus they will be offering him more money too, but take the pay rise out of it playing in the top league in North America isn’t anything to be embarrassed about, he’s not in a top league now is he. I can see the appeal, that’s all I’m saying, I hope he stays but won’t begrudge him, nobody questioned Matt Crooks for it
 
He's 26, if they pay him a good wage and he gets a 4 year deal, he is laughing as that takes him to his final contract, and imagine he would score goals for fun in a league like that given how even some mediocre players have done out there.

I think people put too much stock in how much footballers care about their career Vs pay packets and quality of life
 
I imagine the US is the big chip here, quality of life, the big vibrant city, etc, plus they will be offering him more money too, but take the pay rise out of it playing in the top league in North America isn’t anything to be embarrassed about, he’s not in a top league now is he. I can see the appeal, that’s all I’m saying, I hope he stays but won’t begrudge him, nobody questioned Matt Crooks for it

The difference is people don't view Crooks as someone who could play at a higher level. People think Latte Lath can. They are different stages in their career. A PL side would beat pretty much any MLS side for wages. They aren't giving him Messi style wages.

And the not in the top league right now is kind of the point. He is being linked with PL sides as well. This is his opportunity to get there. Making the wrong move now probably kills the opportunity forever.
 
The difference is people don't view Crooks as someone who could play at a higher level. People think Latte Lath can. They are different stages in their career. A PL side would beat pretty much any MLS side for wages. They aren't giving him Messi style wages.

And the not in the top league right now is kind of the point. He is being linked with PL sides as well. This is his opportunity to get there. Moving to MLS probably kills the opportunity forever.

Maybe not Messi style wages, but the rumour is they're offering him 70k a week with yearly pay rises linked to performance
 
Back
Top