As we usher in the Nery Castillo era in Chicago
By: Dieter Kurtenbach | July 17th, 2010The Fire will announce the signing of a designated player after their SuperLiga match against the New England Revolution on Saturday. It is fully expected that the Fire will welcome Mexican attacker Nery Castillo into the fold.
Former CF97er Cuauhtemoc Blanco was rumored to be in the running for one of the Fire’s DP spots, but after joining Mexican side Irapuato, Blanco was clearly out the running.
Castillo, 26, was at one point in the running for a move to English giants Chelsea. That was in 2007, and a lot has changed since then. Castillo toned his skills at Olympiacos, where he was one of the best players in Greece. A transfer to Inter Milan fell through, and Castillo’s subsequently strained relationship with the club led to his move to Ukraine.
Castillo went to Man City on loan in 2008. It did not work out as planned, as Castillo did not score in seven appearances. The failed English experiment forced Castillo back to Ukraine, and chased away all former top-flight suitors.
In the two years since, it is remarkable that Castillo did not sign with a Mexican club. A move to the Fire will be the first North American club in Castillo’s career.
Castillo is a versatile forward. He can play striker, but if Carlos de los Cobos maintains his current 4-5-1 formation, Castillo will likely play an outside role similar to Marco Pappa’s current position. With Justin Mapp out wide, Mike Banner and Wilman Conde holding in the middle and Pappa or Castillo in a CAM role, moving the formation to something more like a 4-2-3-1, the Fire might be able to find the offensive spark they have been missing in their last few games.
The Fire have another DP spot available, and while bringing home free agent and former Fire star DaMarcus Beasley would be great for the fans, the signing of Castillo makes it highly unlikely.
The Fire will likely use that DP spot on a unglamorous but desperately needed defender.
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