Vancouver Whitecaps FC have made it clear that they’re committed to their player development program and will ultimately look to field a roster built on the young talent that they foster, a la Arsenal under the guidance of Arsène Wenger, mentor to Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson.
More youngsters will be on their way after the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, but the club is also well aware that they won’t achieve the immediate success that they desire without an injection of experience and leadership.
“You look for the right blend of youth and the right blend of experience,” explained Whitecaps FC director of soccer operations Tom Soehn to MLSsoccer.com before adding US defender Jay DeMerit. “You look to put the experience in parts of the field that will benefit everybody the most.”
Another piece to the puzzle may have been found with news that the club is looking to sign veteran Welshman Robbie Savage of English Championship side Derby County.
"I am fully committed to Derby and seeing out the end of my contract there but Vancouver have asked whether they will release me so I can be ready for the MLS season starting in March,” Savage told The Daily Mirror.
The 36-year-old midfielder has played in the top English leagues for over 16 years, starting his career in Manchester United’s youth system before spells with Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and now with Derby County.
Savage fits the mold of leadership that Whitecaps FC management have been targeting. He’s a hard-nosed, feisty player who has captained his English club, very much akin to DeMerit. He also has quite the energetic personality, a trait that has led him to a side-career working for the BBC and ESPN in England.
In order for the move to be completed, Derby will need to let Savage go on a free transfer. Luckily for Vancouver, part-owner Jeff Mallett also owns a large share of the Derby club and would presumably have a say in making such a transfer happen.
"Derby have got a big decision to make and if they say I can go, then so have I," said Savage.
Think you know the game? Test your powers of prediction with MLSsoccer.com's new fantasy game,Pro Soccer Picks. Play NOW!
