Seattle Sounders FC targets Ljungberg

                                                  Photo by ISIphotos.com

GoalSeattle, the Seattle-based soccer blog, has revealed a rumor that Seattle Sounders FC has targeted Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg as a potential Designated Player. A West Coast source has confirmed that Seattle has, in fact, been in contact with Ljungberg and are trying to lure the former Arsenal star to the Pacific Northwest.

Is Ljungberg worthy of a DP? He does have the combination of skill and good looks ala David Beckham, only with a fraction of the star power.  Count me among those who don't think signing him to a DP contract would be a wise move. I think he could be a good player in MLS, but with only one DP per team, you have to wonder if he's the one you want launching an expansion franchise.

What do you think? Is Freddie Ljungberg DP-worthy?

poll by twiigs.com

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[dallen]

no.

[Dannyc58]

As a West Ham fan, I think he has a good amount left in the tank. However, personally, I wouldn't spend money on a guy that I'd be surprised to get 10 goals from OR one that is an attack minded midfielder.

I don't think Freddie is anything more (at this point) than a winger...

[Tony in Quakeland]

If they can do a "Huckerby" and get him for a non-DP salary, then he'd be great. If not, Paul Allen can afford a much bigger name.

Speaking of Huckerby, great article:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article4931500.ece

[john]

well, didnt he have his own armani underwear ads too?

no, i rather they lure h.nakata out of retirement.

[northzax]

interesting choice, I suppose. probably a better bet for a team in Minneapolis than Seattle.

[randomher0723]

They could do better. What happened to those Henry rumors? I know Henry would never go there, but at least they were thinking big.

[Jimmy Bobo]

This is an injury prone guy in the declining years of his career. The Sounders are going to pay him a bunch of money to go play on FieldTurf? This is a recipe for another "Claudio Reyna type" of designated player. Drew Carey and his boys should take a pass on Freddie.

[kpugs]

This really depends on how hard it would be to lure a legit DP to Seattle.

I don't think Llunberg is worth of DP money, even though I think he'd be a very good MLS player.

BUT, some team out there somewhere will pay him DP money. The question is whether Seattle wants to overpay and get Llunberg, or let some team in Europe or Qatar overpay him. If they think they can get more value for their DP money, they definitely should look elsewhere.

[Freddy]

If Nakamura says "no" to Seattle then go after Freddie.

[Freddy]

But if they can sign him without using a DP spot, then Seattle should absolutely go for it.

[SCNewJersey]

i'm still big on them trying to lure Nakamura from Celtic. His contracts coming up with the Bhoys, and i think he could bring an Ichiro-esque following to the Sounders.

[kevin]

Yes. Ljungberg is a star of the Premier League and at 31 still has a few years left in him. He recently retired from the swedish national team so he would have full commitment to the team. I think 2million a year would be enough to snag him to play for a few years.

[ECGooner]

The one thing I'll grant him is that he's an Arsenal legend. Other than that I don't see the point in signing him. Besides, he's now the third guy named Freddy or Freddie we've been linked with.

Since Weezer was just in town I will quote them for my overall feeling: "Say It Ain't So."

The guy I'd be interested in is Crespo.

[Dave]

I think he'd be a great addition to their team and to MLS, and if he took their DP slot, that's fine. Somehow, we as fans seem to think that the DP slot is only for world-class, in-their-prime, fantastic players. The reality is that Beckham is the exception not the rule, and MLS will not see the likes of C. Ronaldo, Kaka, Fabregas, Ballack, (insert your favorite star player here), etc. anytime soon. So, use it on a player who can make a positive impact on the team.

[Justin]

To contrast most, I think Freddie would be a good DP player for a couple years. I make this assumption by looking at the options there are/will be over the next few years. Earlier this year there was all the talk of Seattle trying to lure in Thierry Henry, but he isn't coming to the States for a few (i say 3-4) years. What other quality options are there that aren't uber-old?

Ronaldo? If he does come, likely will be to NY
Zidane? I Doubt he comes our of retirement
Figo? How old is he...and is he worthy of DP money.

I'd say sign Ljungberg as your DP for 2-3 years and then when his time is up look for a replacement. Possibly Henry, Shevchenko, Lampard to name a few that have shown MLS interest.

[kevin]

What are the available of new DP's for next year?

Thierry Henry? Freddie Ljungberg?

[northzax]

hey Ives, I know you need to make a buck, and you deserve it. but can you skip the negative political ads? (right now I see the one about Obama's Senate Office Pay, but I would complain the same about something calling McCain a liar. it would be great to see one place that didn't have the mud, don't you think?

and, of course, do you really want a hit piece ad under a line saying "SBI Sponsors"?

thanks for the consideration. I know you don't pick them (I assume they are google syndication) but can't you direct them NOT to do certain ones? It's really distasteful.

[adam b]

has Nakamura shown any interest in mls? i havent been following this story before now, just curious.

[supsam]

Anybody knows when Shunsuke Nakamura's contract is up for celtic? Cuz he is a definite ideal DP player for seattle and considering the vast amount of japanese ppl living in Seattle

[Danny]

I think Seattle needs to go with an Asian "star" with the DP. I think they need to find another Ichiro, not a Swedish model. Freddie has the looks, but a Japanese NT star would be a better move.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

its not even a matter of signing a DP with starpower, with Jimmy bobo on this one, declining years, always injured, yadda yadda. Save that dp slot for someone that can help

[cbr]

you are wrong if you think freddie wont be a great addition to any mls team on and off the field.

[Rudy]

Not for DP money, but I think Freddie would be a good MLS player.

[Ives]

Guys, I have suggested Nakamura as Seattle's DP since day one. The fact that the club is considering Ljungberg could mean that he has already turned them down.

I have heard from Seattle sources that signing a high-profile Asian player is a priority. Whether that means DP or a Schletto/Huckerby type of situation remains to be seen.

And Northzax, that ad you mentioned is a Google ad. I have no control over what ads Google places there. The only thing I can do is add it to a list of blocked ads once I see it myself. I need to see it myself in order to get the code.

[SCNewJersey]

Naka's contract is up at the end of this season.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Dave-
Not suggesting that highprofile players will come to the MLS, thats just not reasonable, i do think that the signing of healthy talent is a possibility tho. Honestly dont care who Seattle signs tho cuz i support TFC;)

[adam b]

thanks ives. keep up the great work.

[Scott C]

Yes, sign him. He seems to have a lot left in the tank, and would probably have the impact similar to Huckerby. He would certainly make Seattle a fun team to watch. Good DP candidates are not easy to find; I doubt Seattle could do any better over the next couple of years. I don't know why teams sit on their DP slots; if they don't use it, it does them no good. They can sign him for 2 years, and keep him for more if he works out...

[Mike_D]

That would be a huge mistake- he'd be their Claudio Reyna.

[This Guy]

What is the cap for non-DPs? I googled it but there is alot of discrepency. You think an expansion squad with the money to go big should go big name or big attacker. I don't know though.

[Brant]

I'd say if you can get Freddie with a Schelotto-ish deal, that includes a lot of incentives for appearances based on being healthy, then you're good. I"m not sure I'd use the DP on him even if that means not using it at all for right now.

Freddie's been one of my favorite players for years. Non-stop motor and the kind of 'effort' guy that US kids would do well to emulate. He was far-and-away Arsenal's best player in the UCL final v Barca a few years ago.

[Luis]

Nakamura and Freddie are both bad ideas. No offense to anybody intended, but Ichiro was signed because he appeals to Japan and that audience, as well as a Japanese owner. The Sounders have an American owner and are selling tickets just fine without having to pander to the Asian community, whether it be here in Seattle or in Japan/China/Korea (wherever you get the player from).

I don't see what exactly either guy brings to the table as a DP. They don't cause excitement, and they don't bring a skill set that can't be found elsewhere for less money. As a season ticket holder, neither of those guys is making me feel like I'm getting more for my money.

I don't have any better ideas, but I know what makes me yawn, and it's both those guys.

[BigWaveinBallard]

I remember hearing Adrian Hanauer say that Seattle was looking to sign a DP that would reflect Seattle culturally. This basically limits the selection to an Asian player (Asians comprise ~20% of modern day Seattle) or a Scandinavian player. Although many of the true Scandinavians in Ballard (Seattle's Scandinavian Quarter) are of the older generation, it was they who played a primary role in the early development of the city. An Asian DP (many suggest Nakamura) would match the modern cultural demographic better than a Scandinavian DP (such as Ljungberg), but I believe that Ljungberg would garner far more interest and jersey sales due to his name, PR experience and (ahem) appearance. Many will agree that it's important for a young club to "make itself known" to everybody in its viewing area (that is everybody outside the cultural and soccer demographic). Freddie can do this...Nakamura cannot. Is Nakamura a better player than Freddie? I'd say yes. Could Seattle sign Nakamura away from Celtic? This guy has one of the best (if not THE best) left foots in the world, so I'd say no. Could Seattle sign Freddie? With Freddie currently in limbo and with Paul Allen as our owner, I'd say yes.

[Skinn]

Luis, ???????????????????????????

[Drew D (From FL)]

I like the idea of crespo to Seattle, I think that is who seattle should be going after. He's 33 I believe, and he should be on his way out of inter now that they have mancini, quaresma, ibrahimovic, julio cruz, balotelli, etc. It's going to be hard to get in the lineup now, and he is the type of player that deserves DP money, and could impact a seattle team for at least 2-3 years. The question is, would he make the move?

[northzax]

this guy: there is no cap for DPs. The first $400k counts as league salary and against the cap, everything else is on the investors. Look at the package AEG put together for Becks.

[GoSounders.com]

Some quick points...

1. Seattle has a very large Scandinavian population.

2. Nakamura, although indeed would be a great fit in Seattle wants to head back to Japan. He's stated on at least 4 occasions that he will return to his original club- the Yokohama Marinos- when his contract runs out. I don't think there's enough $$ to get him to the Pacific Northwest.

[Squard]

Didn't Ljungberg say that he'd like the lifestyle of living in the U.S?
He didn't say that that MLS is a competitive league, or playing here would be a great experience for him or anything soccer related.
That's a red flag on him right there. He'll be worse than Reyna. He'll be another Lothar Mattheus.

[nig]

they should get shunsuke.

shunsuke ftw.

[allie]

I think he's worth a DP. I loved him at Arsenal and was really sad when he left. He is a great player and even though he is older he still has a lot left to offer. I miss those sneaky runs into the box, he would pop up out of nowhere and score. In terms of Beckham I think Freddie has him on looks. Ljungberg is hot, have you seen those CK ads?

[DemonJuice]

There's no way he is going to play in MLS without DP salary, but where would he work?

Since there's no team in Michigan, where are the secondary Swedish populations?

Seattle certainly has a good concentration, but so do Chicago and Philly. Would he work there? I don't see it.

I just don't seem him being the marquee player for a MLS side.

Seattle need a Japanese DP and I'd like to see Thierry Henry in Montreal. Can you imagine that?!

[Carl Setterlund]

Well, I've heard Nakamura is set on going back to Japan. Frankly, if his choices are: get paid more at Celtic or get paid more in his home country, why would Nakamura come to Seattle? (Unless of course they want to give him several million (don't ask me how much it would take).

Anyways, with Ljungberg, you know what I always say about DPs... it's better to get a good player who will be an MLS All-Star than to not use the spot at all.

[Pat]

to all the Nakamura people... he will never play in MLS. It makes no sense. MLS does **NOTHING** for his marketing value in Japan, and he has no market value over here. His salary with Celtic is paid by partially by his image rights... he will never play in MLS. Furthermore he wants to leave Celtic because he's tired of flying... and you think he wants to play in Seattle then? Fat chance.

On Freddie: old dried-up injury-prone player looking for 1 last big payday. No thanks.

John who said we should try to get Hidetoshi Nakata out of retirement... I laughed. Brutal. =D

[amy]

hahaha.. so doing CK underwear ads means he's worth of a DP spot?

[betinho]

Was Angel that much of a bigger name when he came to the MLS? I don't think so. Would Freddie come to an expansion team on the other side of the planet for anything less than DP money? Who else would? I think these are all fair questions. And at the end I think the answer is - pay the man and put him on the roster if he's willing. Then thank him for doing so!

[Luis]

I don't sense that many people disagree with my take on either Freddie or Nakamura.

I just never understood using a DP to bring in an ethnic population of fans - doesn't make sense to me. They tried it in LA and it failed, despite having millions of Mexicans to draw from. A DP is going to put butts in the seats if he is exciting to watch and helps the team win - that's it. We could bring in Denilson and watch him do six step-overs every time he gets the ball, but that will wear off after a few weeks, as it did in Dallas, when we aren't winning.

I'm not even sold on the idea of bringing in a DP just for the sake of having one. MLS has shown that teams can have success bringing up the overall talent of the squad and not spending the money on one guy who may or may not make a significant impact.

Give me a team that wins games, not an oft-injured midfielder in his underpants.

[Adam M.]

If Seattle can't land anyone bigger, then, yes, Freddy would be a solid DP for all of the obvious reasons. For those of you who wouldn't want Freddy or Ronaldo in MLS, who, realistically, are you after? MLS may have the luxury someday of fighting off good players with long international experience, but this isn't that day. While no team should overspend just for the heck of it or to meet some player's unreasonably demands, but every team should be willing to sign a player like Freddy Ljunberg. The best way to look at a player like Ljunberg is this: if every MLS team had a player like him, would the league be better? If the answer is yes (and it is), then someone should sign him pronto.

[William]

Ljungberg (blanked) her. Someone had to say it.

[stever]

Ljungberg aside, I think the MLS should look to draw players who can enhance the game through their skills rather than another marketing machine such as Beckham. Does Man U select players by what they look like or what designer brand they support? Hopefully not, and the MLS may wish to take note.

[m_____s]

Seattle is not Los Angeles; we do not need to be tricked into watching soccer. The Sounders have already sold 16,800 season ticket deposits for next year, the Seattle Times reported last week.

I don't want to diss Beckham. He's clearly good for the league. But Seattle doesn't need a pop star to appeal to its teeny-bopper demographic. My goal for the Sounders is a player who can solidify our roster.

Speaking generically, my preference is for less glamour. Maybe a central or attacking midfielder. And probably not one coming directly from Europe, where we have to pay name-brand rates for second-hand goods.

[Krista]

Ives- why would the club consider Ljungberg if he has already turned them down? If he has turned them down why even state that they were talking? Thanks.

"The fact that the club is considering Ljungberg could mean that he has already turned them down."

[John]

I think Ljungberg would play at about the level of Donovan. Not quite as quick but more consistent.

Now he wouldn't sell tickets. But every team in MLS would jump at the chance to get another Donovan.

[Cosmos Forever]

Loved Freddie as a Gunner but he's so injury prone that I wouldn't sign him, especially at DP level. And he won't sell tickets so what's the point?

[pablo escobar]

Freddie won't sell tickets? there are only a few dps that will sell tickets and none of them want to go to the mls. Winning sell tickets andfreddie will help seatle win if healthy so therefore he will selll tickets. your poiunts been disproven im right im a genuis. i win!!!!!!!!!

[huricano]

With the exception of Argentina, I like European league football much more than South American & 10 times more than Mexican or Central American soccer. I only get FSE in PR, so I've had to put up with the Honduran league many a night. However, there are good young players in the region and we should buy them as DPs, and not old EPL stars. Lets put some scouts and money int CONCACAF's best talent.

[Reed]

"Ljungberg (blanked) her. Someone had to say it."

You win. Now where did i put that mat...

[Doug]

Ives,

I concur with the earlier comment regarding the negative political ads. This is not the first time I have seen one on your site nor is it the first time I have complained about it. Morever, both that I have seen have been attacks on Obama which makes me think you are promoting a particular view. You are entitled to your political opinion but I don't have to keep coming to you for my news if you are going to pander it on your site. Please, try to keep them off. If I see another, I will make good on my promise to seek my soccer news elsewhere despite my overall respect for the hard work you do and the overall quality of product you provide.

Thanks.
Doug

[Trent]

As bad as the UK media has trashed MLS since Beckham arrived, your going to have a helluva time convincing any big name player to come play in MLS. They need to concentrate on South America looking for the DP's.

[pablo escobar]

The only place the mls should be looking for talent is south america. Freddie montero starts for columbias national team and leads the columbian league in goals. he would be a lock for mvp and proably the best young player in the history of the league. MLS needs to look at South American players like Slavador Cabanas, Humberto Suazo, Carlos Bueno, Sebastian Abreu, Rodrigo Palacio, anyone in the brazialin league would absoultely tear the mls apart. It so obvious I don't know why it hasn't been done.

[Slyboy]

Yes... thats why Denilson "teared" MLS apart.

plenty of players who formally played in the Brazilian league, some are good ...others arent.

i say give Frankie a chance, but as DP. maybe something along the lines that we pay Darren Huckerby.

[chi-towns finest]

DP= someone who is gonna score goals or create goals.

GOOD DP= Blanco, Angel
OK DP= Beckham
BAD DP= Davino, Chad Barrett, Will Hesmer

[Brant]

"i say give Frankie a chance"

Frankie who? Hejduk? He's in Columbus already... ;)

If you're talking "Freddie", then give 'im a chance

[Tom P]

Tony in Qland

Thanks for the link-great article.

[Nick]

I'm not too familiar with the racial demographics of Seattle but why not try to sign Dong Fangzhou? He's not with a club at the moment, he may not be Japanese but he's asian, he's fairly young, and has experince from being at Manchester United (even a few champions league matches!). I think he might cost a bit, but won't command a transfer fee, and could bring a lot to the club. Or if they're after Japanese players, why not sign a few straight out of the J-League? It's a pretty good league, and we haven't seen almost any Asian players in MLS. Japanese players might not be big and strong, but they are amazingly quick and are very good technically. Sure, they won't have the big names, but they'll up the level of play, and get a whole new demographic of players to start being considered by other clubs. If the club wants to sign a scandinavian player, why not try this: if buisness is good say 3-5 years down the road, and the fanbase is expanding quickly, but there still is no scandanavian player playing for Seattle, why not break the bank and sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic (spelled that wrong) when he's out of contract at Inter? He's quite up there in terms of age, and when his Inter contract expires he'll be around 32-34 (I believe he's either 29 or 30 now). He won't command a transfer fee. He might cost a lot, but will still have that incredible nose for the goal and probably will have a bigger scoring impact than Juan Pablo Angel. And the signing of him won't just bring out the swedes (even though he's considered one of the best swedish players EVER), he might even bring out a few Italians, who would know him from his days at Juventus and Inter Milan! Why not try that? Might not be the cheapest route but if Seattle are doing well and have cash to spare I say go for it! It could turn out to be great!

[pablo escobar]

There are no bad players that start in teh brazialian league and they would tear MLS apart try anyone on FLuminese. Denilson couldn't start in the brazialin are th qatar league or any league. you take anyone on fluminese, sao paolo or internacaional anyone who starts for them would tear mls apart. you cant even nameone player from the barzilain league so shos how much you know.

[heio]

the whole "get an asian DP" baffles me.

I have been going to soccer games/events over many many years in this town and I can tell you that I have yet to see the "asian" community come out and show up.

It just aint there folks. It just aint.

[Pat]

Re: Nick on JLeague
MLS is unlikely to attract JLeague players since there basically isn't a salary cap in Japan (there are on youth players but it goes away pretty fast).
JLeague players are comfortable in Japan, their language and country ... you would have to overpay most of them to come to the US since it's not considered a step up from what they already have.
If a player wants to be on the NT, they're also unlikely to consider a move to MLS.

[Carl Setterlund]

Nick, on behalf of the worldwide Swedish population I would like to say shame on you. Ibrahimovic turned 27 like a week ago. He's a year younger than Ronaldinho. He's the same age as Eto'o and Berbatov. He's six months older than Kaka. There's still plenty of time for him to lead the Swedes to the promised land and he's still got 5 years left in Europe at least.

[axy]

i think ljungberg i a great player and i know he will be one off the best msl-players. i´m sure!!