Encuentra la historia en Espanol aquí.
There’s a saying in Spanish in reference to when someone buys something.
If they’ve bought well, the saying goes that the acquisition was procured, “Bueno, bonito, y barato.” The saying loosely translated means, “good, attractive, and inexpensive.”
It was an off-season in which the Los Angeles Galaxy had the tough task of a roster rebuild, a slow and sometimes worrying process, but the approach and execution have proved correct.
This is shown in the type of business that the club was able to close with its last signings.
Of course, the proof is in the results on the field, but it can be claimed that the Derrick Williams and Samuel Grandsir signings are not only sound but are exactly the type of signings the club needs to make for the club to have success again.
Not for the players involved per se, fine players thought they may be, but for the terms of the contracts.
Williams, 28, is at the perfect age and should be in his prime.
The Ireland international defender has played in rough and physical leagues, demonstrating to be more than capable. His experience should instantly improve the team’s defense, second-worst in MLS last season.
If the player finds success with L.A., he could be the starting center back for at least the next three or four years, bringing with him the kind of stability that would give new Head Coach Greg Vanney the opportunity for his defensive ideas to be implemented and become the “culture” that the aforementioned is looking for.
In his first interview for the club, the defender confessed that although he likes having the ball at his feet and can play out of the back, he expressed that defense comes first.
“I find the biggest joy out of defending, in keeping a clean sheet and taking their striker out of the game,” Williams confessed.
Galaxy fans should find joy in the fact that the club got him for a relatively small amount.
Seems like a good piece of business
— Nate Gonzalez (@Nateology101) March 4, 2021
Williams and his previous club, Blackburn Rovers terminated his contract by mutual consent, which means the Galaxy got him on a free transfer. Los Angeles paid D.C. United $125,000 for Williams’ discovery rights, agreeing to a two-year contract with the player with an option for a third year.
The fact that Williams has a U.S. passport means that he won’t take an international spot, giving the Galaxy more flexibility in reconstructing a competitive side.
Good? Yes. Attractive? Yes. Inexpensive? Yes.
The Galaxy followed up that fiscal golazo with the signing of Samuel Grandsir. Putting aside the fact that his signing directly addresses an area of great need for the Galaxy, the right side or wing, Vanney, and General Manager Dennis te Kloese showed off with the numbers again.
The G’s managed to sign Grandsir on a free transfer as well. The French winger put pen to paper on a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year if the relationship between club and player proves fruitful. By being able to sign Grandsir without having to use a Designated Player spot (DP) the club added a key piece and will be able to add another when they find their DP.
As with Williams, if the Grandsir signing proves a success, one of the sides of the pitch will have an occupant for multiple years. Even more so if Grandsir is able to strike up an understanding with Julian Araujo, the young right-back who has made the position his.
The new 24-year-old signing, can create for himself, has an eye for goal, and puts in good service from the wings. These qualities will help the team to open up space on the pitch and this could help Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez by creating more goal opportunities.
The ex-Monaco player also has European experience after playing for the last five years in the French top flight.
“Good, Attractive, and Inexpensive,” indeed.
These two signings paint a good picture for the G’s and it begins to give an idea as to the type of player Vanney is looking for; young, experienced, and hungry to prove themselves.
That they are also fiscally prudent signings is the ace in the hole.
And while no ball has been kicked in the regular season yet, the Galaxy is already scoring victories in another area so that they may win on the pitch.
Featured Image: Aaron Sholl/CC BY-ND 2.0
