Breaking the Logjam

There are reports on the Internet that Celtic might sign Fire midfielder Freddie Ljungberg. As much as I think Ljungberg still has the potential to contribute at a high level, this is probably for the best, because maybe -- just maybe -- the reason Nery Castillo was such crap last year was because Freddie was in his spot, and he just isn't nearly as effective playing out of position.

Or isn't as effective playing out of position when combined with being hideously out of shape and generally disinterested. Here's hoping a full preseason will make a significant difference.

In any event, Ljungberg and Castillo on the field together never clicked, so removing one or the other from the equation can only help. Part of me would like to see both removed, with Bratislav Ristic being most likely to inherit the role of playmaker, at least until Baggio Husidic can step up.

Thinking out loud -- and being consistent with the season -- it looks like a 4-3-2-1 "Christmas tree" formation may be our only option in the absence of a strong (as opposed to fast) forward. With Castillo, he'd likely pair with Ristic or Husidic behind Calen Carr, with Pappa and Nyarko on the wings and Logan Pause holding down the middle. Or, if Carr isn't up to it, Ristic moves to one flank and Nyarko moves up top. Without Castillo, it would be Ristic and Husidic behind the lone forward, which might look the most like a conventional 4-4-2 with Baggio pushing up and Ristic hanging back.

Obviously, we've still got draft picks, homegrown players and foreign signings that might fill in some gaps. As opposed to most other teams, who have draft picks, homegrown players, foreign signings and trades -- Ljungberg's departure would mean we only have a single player who came from another MLS club, and that was Cory Gibbs through the dispersal draft. And being a Designated Player, I discount Freddie as being a "real" trade, anyway.