The hunt for Major League Soccer’s next DP: Ligue I – Part I

by Gunnar Berndt

Might MLS’s next big star be coming from France? With Collective Bargaining negotiations between MLS and its Players Union looming, Gunnar Berndt examines which Ligue 1 candidates could fill additional Designated Player (DP) slots.

While many MLS team owners are increasingly willing to dish out big money to exceptional talent (much of a DP’s salary not counting against the salary cap), the recent past has shown that players whose acquisition does not involve a transfer fee remain far more likely to be considered as DPs. That’s why this analysis favors free agents, in addition to considering other factors such as on-field quality, name recognition and age.

The focus here is on the French top flight, which surprised by turning out a true treasure trove full of underrated difference-makers and accomplished veterans with plenty left in the tank. Be sure to keep an eye out for parts two and three of our Ligue 1 analysis and, as always, feel free to share which of these potential DP candidates you would like to see in MLS.

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MLS DESIGNATED PLAYER CANDIDATES:
LIGUE 1 GOALKEEPERS AND DEFENDERS

Maarten Stekelenburg (33 – Netherlands – Goalkeeper – Monaco)

Stekelenburg recently went on loan after losing his Fulham starting spot.

While the Ajax legend is under contract with the Cottagers until 2017, his Monaco deal is up in eight months and Stekelenburg is unlikely to return to London following a sour exit.

That may allow an MLS team to sign him to another loan that could include an option to buy later at a fairly low price, especially if the accomplished shot-stopper keeps losing his battle for the Monaco starting gig.

A member of the Dutch squad for all major tournaments between 2006 and 2012, Stekelenburg missed out on the 2014 World Cup. This could be a positive, as national team considerations may play less of a role in determining the future of the man who turns 33 this week.

 

Jérémy Morel (30 – France – Left Back – Marseille)

The epitome of loyalty and dedication, Morel played in well over 200 matches for his hometown team Lorient before moving on to one of the biggest clubs in Ligue 1 three years ago.

Since then, the left back, who turns 31 before his contract runs out in June 2015, has established himself as an integral part of Les Olympiens’ defense.

The question is whether reliability and model professionalism are enough to warrant DP money from an MLS side.

Maxwell (33 – Brazil – Left Back – PSG)

While the defender’s value is inevitably decreasing with age, he doesn’t turn 34 until after his PSG contract expires in summer 2015.

What’s more, Maxwell, who holds a Dutch as well as a Brazilian passport, has been free of major injuries for most of his career and has been known for his professionalism.

This has allowed the former Ajax, Inter and Barca man to earn a Ligue 1 best eleven selection as recently as last year, followed by a call-up to Brazil’s 2014 World Cup squad, a decade after being recognized as the Dutch Footballer of the Year.

With Maxwell finding playing time increasingly difficult to come by at mighty PSG, could MLS be on his radar?

 

Mouhamadou Dabo (27 – France – Left Back – Lyon)

While the former Saint-Étienne and Sevilla FC man’s value has recently decreased a bit, he continues to hold the edge over fellow left backs Maxwell and Morel, partly due to Dabo’s relatively young age.

This could also make the Frenchman, who turns 28 in November, a bit more of a long shot in terms of a move across the Atlantic.

That said, it might just be worth a try for an MLS club, given Dabo’s contract is up in summer 2015 and he has recently fallen out of favor following three years as a key Lyon contributor.

After all, a certain Michael Bradley joined MLS at 27.

François Clerc (31 – France – Right Back – Saint-Étienne)

Clerc, who represented France at Euro 2008, has recently donned the captain’s armband for Saint-Étienne, which serves as a testament to his experience and leadership.

The former Lyon and Nice stalwart turns 32 about three months before his contract expires after 2014-15, and he may be looking for a new challenge after what will have been three years with his current club. Might an MLS team look to shore up its defense with this seasoned veteran?

 

Guillaume Gillet (30 – Belgium – Right Back – Bastia)

Gillet recently raised some eyebrows by making his return to the Belgium squad following a year-long absence, lacing up for a September friendly. The Anderlecht legend, who won his third consecutive league crown with the Belgian giants in 2013-14, was loaned to Bastia ahead of the current campaign and has since been a key contributor.

Following the expiration of his temporary deal next summer, Gillet remains under contract with Anderlecht until 2016. However, the Purple and White may well be open to a year-long loan to MLS, at the conclusion of which the right back would be a free agent and able to make the move permanent. Gillet turns 31 in March.

Mathieu Bodmer (31 – France – Center Back – Nice)

Since falling out of favor at mighty PSG in 2012-13, Bodmer has steered his career back on track with a loan move to Saint-Étienne and a subsequent transfer to Nice, where he remains team captain after solid performances over the course of the past season.

The former Lille and Lyon man, who has one cap with the French national team, has smartly reinvented his game by making a more permanent switch from central midfield to the center of defense. Bodmer turns 32 in November, about seven months before his Nice contract expires next summer.

 

Benjamin Angoua (27 – Ivory Coast – Center Back – Guingamp)

After unsuccessfully trying to help Valenciennes remain in the top flight, Angoua recently moved straight into another relegation battle, as he signed with current Ligue 1 bottom dwellers Guingamp.

Given his relatively young age, the soon-to-be 28-year-old may prefer to continue his career in Europe at the conclusion of his contract in summer 2015, but that doesn’t mean MLS teams shouldn’t put in their bids.

Angoua was a member of the Ivory Coast squads for the 2010 World Cup as well as the 2010 and 2012 African Cups of Nations. He is capable of playing both as a center back and as a holding midfielder.

 

Gunnar Berndt is a long-time soccer writer and the former Director of Communications with USL PRO side O.C. Blues and PASL side Anaheim Bolts. Click here to follow him on Twitter.