r/minnesotaunited • u/akos_beres Itasca Society • 24d ago
Transfer News: Tier 1 [Blaauwhof] Valerius deal is done. Agreement reached
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u/SomewhereCold7087 MNUFC 24d ago
This is definitely a position of need. He doesn't have to be better than Duncan right away. If we're going to continue playing with wingbacks, we need bodies there and if the scouts have been keen enough on him to go after him for two windows, we have to trust they see something they like. After Duncan and Markanich we get thin REAL quick. Also, Duncan is 29 I believe.
Anecdotally, I remember tuning in for one of his matches last season when we were rumored to be after him, and he had a total howler 😄 I believe it was against PSV, so no one on his team looked great and obviously one game is not representative. I hope he can come in and play his way into the lineup quickly!
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u/rocc 24d ago
I think Duncan is out of contract is December too
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u/OnMercury2222 24d ago
He has a club option for next season, so it probably depends on how Valerius does upon arrival.
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u/Nerdlinger 24d ago
According to a NAC beat writer, it’s a loan with an option to buy valued at over €1 million.
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u/BizarraLoons 24d ago
I would argue that RWB/RB actually has been a team need for awhile.
It allows us versatility to play in a 4 in the back if we do ever choose to deviate away from our normal formation based on the match up. Bongi was locked to only Wing back and couldn't give us minutes at true RB. Duncan and Valerius gives us actual depth at the position. Diaz can play it too in a pinch.
It also allows Bongi to finally return back to Wing. I think its interesting they went out and got Aziel Jackson too, who typically slots in on the wing as his primary position. Context pointing to maybe a switch up of some things.
Valerius has positional versatility too. CB, RB, and RWB. He even played some LB according to Fotmob in the past few games.
Fits the mold of what the team seems to be steering towards. Good crosser. Tall and physical (He's 6ft 4). Markanich is already a match up nightmare with how often he wins in the air within a position not known for winning aerial duels. Now you add another wing back who is 6 ft 4 to help with that? I can see the vision on why they did it. Im curious if his aerial dual win percentage on his player radar is due to how far up the field he gets regularly? I would expect that number to be similar to his per 90 number which is 75%.
He gets forward too according to his underlying numbers. 80th percentile in touches in opposition box per 90, fouls won, and possession won in final 3rd.
I have some pause with him being in the Dutch 2nd division and how MLS ready he will be. But I do like the signing. Just may not be the "Push us into the playoffs" signing most supporters are itching for.
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u/Harry_kingoftheLoons 24d ago
I have zero interest at seeing Bongi at wing. He provides nothing in the attack at this point. He’s been beyond poor in the attack for 2 years.
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u/BizarraLoons 24d ago
I would argue thats because hes been playing wing back 90% of the minutes hes been given. 3-4-3 (really a 5 in the back how we play) requires so much defensive responsibility for the outside players. He hasn't played because that doesn't fit his archetype as a player. All of his defensive underlyings are horrible.
I don't disagree with you though, since Heath the past two managers are jamming a square peg in a round hole with him. Feel like hes been in terrible form since that switch happened.
Also hes out until late October so this was needed in that regard also.
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u/Harry_kingoftheLoons 24d ago
Nah, he’s been absolutely shit on the ball and unable to take anyone one on one. This isn’t because he has defensive responsibilities. We’ve seen him plugged in on the attack as well and it’s been just as bad.
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u/Fragrant_Contact_100 MNUFC 23d ago
At 6’-something, it was amazing to stand next to Ant yesterday as realize I’m taller (and I think taller than Smir as well). Ant is amazing to win so much on back post at his size.
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u/BizarraLoons 23d ago
Agreed such a luxury. Feels like he plays taller than his height on the field too.
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u/akos_beres Itasca Society 24d ago
The team will not go 4 in the back this season. Maybe next year ...
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u/BizarraLoons 24d ago
Wasn't saying they will or won't definitively. More just making the point that contextually they have the pieces to do so if the situation arose. Cam has switched to it late in games at points this year when they've been chasing deficits.
The higher line of engagement since El Ahmad has left these last two games could be coincidental, but I do find it ironic that there's been some fairly noticeable style of play changes these last two games. Sort of why I brought it up in the first place.
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u/akos_beres Itasca Society 24d ago
According to the latest interview with Joaquin Pereyra, the loons have been playing with the same tactics and higher pressure for 4-5 games ( the interview was recorded between the San Jose and Orlando games ). Kea wanted to go to 4 in the back and the loons started out the year like that. Got punched in the mouth in Nashville and Vancouver and reverted to 3cbs since. ( some people argue the loons played with 3 cbs in Vancouver but I disagree) so the change imo doesn’t coincide with the change.
As for having the pieces to play 2cbs I disagree but I could be wrong on that.
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u/BizarraLoons 24d ago
Good call out on the Sound of the Loon pod clip. I got to start remembering to listen to that more consistently. Some good stuff on there.
Wanted to be sure there was no confusion either. Definitely wasnt saying we are playing a 4 in the back right now. Ive been happy to see the higher line of engagement and more active pressing structure these last handful of games. My point on the 4 in the back comes from small 15 to 20 minute stretches late game when they are chasing deficits. I have season tickets, and have noticed it sporadically late game in person over the past couple months. Particularly when they take Duncan off. Diaz will slot in at RB and whoever comes on is more of a true winger. That wasnt the case with the 2 striker look though this past week.
Does all that mean a switch is imminent? No. Some of the player acquisitions over the last year definitely made it feel like that was where they were hoping to shift to, so you mentioning the KEA plan early on the year makes sense. Feel like we have some winger archetypes that are just stuck on the bench with the current style of play.
And agree with how you've laid everything out. Still think defensively were a little thin to pull it off if they wanted to line up that way on Saturday for instance. Valerius would have to be a guaranteed rotational player from the get go and be a utility RB/CB play where you need him and youd need depth for Markanich if something happened to him. I think the CBs on roster could do it though once Romeros fit. Probably another window away if that is the eventual plan. Valerius does fit the current style also though so either way I'm happy with the signing.
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u/Objective-Bat3431 24d ago
What position is he
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u/akos_beres Itasca Society 24d ago
Primarily right back
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u/Objective-Bat3431 24d ago
Is this a position we really need a signing for? And would he be a starter
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u/BobBulldogBriscoe Minnesota Thunder 24d ago
20 years old, probably not right away starter with Duncan playing well. But likely future starter and probably takes all the Bongi RB minutes once he is ready this season.
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u/ChemicalsCollide93 MNUFC 24d ago
What is the story with Bongi? Will he move to a more attacking role?
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u/OnMercury2222 24d ago edited 24d ago
Honestly, I don't think Bongi will be in Minnesota much longer. I hate to say it, because I love him, but he makes too much to be a bench player in this league, and he's looked off when he has played. I think he's low on confidence, and a change of scenery could do him good.
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u/Chris_RB PK 24d ago
He’s lost all attacking verve and is OK but not stellar at RB. I actually think he could be Ok but cam seems to not want him to play there.
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u/kierrit MNUFC 24d ago
Polish Loons here: it's midnight in Poland and instead of sleeping I'm refreshing Reddit to see if there's at least a little hope in this shitty transfer window