(Editorial) – Well, it’s finally official. The LA Galaxy have signed Ashley Cole. It’s a bit ironic that this was the first big rumor to start and is the last of the signings to become official for LA this off season. The Jelle Van Damme and Emmanuel Boatang rumors both started later yet both were signed last week.
There’s a lot of controversy and confusion around this LA Galaxy Ashley Cole signing. What does it mean for the club and are there any positives to it?
Age, Fitness, and Injury:
Cole is old as dirt, 35-years-old to be exact. That’s old for any outfield player, regardless of position. For a full back in the Galaxy’s system, speed and the ability to go forward are important. Left backs in their mid-30s either need to have another aspect to their game or be a veteran spark off the bench.
The English International hasn’t played a competitive match in over 10 months. His stint with AS Roma was a failure by any standard. There’s a question of whether he’s even fit considering his injuries while with Roma. If he was playing 90 minutes every match for Roma or even if he was the first full back off the bench, I’d understand.
But looking at his age and recent playing time (or lack there of), this signing is a head-scratcher.
His Lack of Respect for MLS:
Cole had some disparaging words for MLS not to long ago. This past July when rumors of the left back moving to MLS, he responded that he was “not ready to relax on a beach yet.” Say what you will about MLS, but Cole’s old national team teammates David Beckham and Steven Gerrard have praised the quality of the league. It might not be the EPL or Series A, but do not underestimate it.
Head Coach Bruce Arena and the rest of the front office do their homework on players before signing them. They did so with Van Damme. Hopefully, they’ve talked with Cole about this and it isn’t an issue going into the season.
I hold judgement until after we’ve heard Cole comment on these past opinions. Does he still feel this way? If so, is he just here to collect his $300,000 pay check and chill at South Bay? If not, what changed his mind? Friday’s press conference should shed some light on this matter.
Full Back was not a Need:
When healthy and fit, Robbie Rogers and A.J. DeLaGarza are one of the best full back combinations in MLS. On the bench, the Galaxy have Dave Romney on the left and Dan Gargan and Oscar Sorto on the right. DeLaGarza can also play left back. Romney had some good moments in 2015. Gargan is a well-seasoned veteran. Sorto is probably the right back of the future in waiting as an Homegrown.
It appears Arena will have Rogers switch to right back so Cole can play left back. Based on their 2015 salaries, that’s over $500,000 dedicated to four players who all play the same position. DeLaGarza could make a return to center back, but with Van Damme’s return, he again would be coming off the bench.
This signing does give the Galaxy possibly the best outside back depth in MLS. That said, they’re spending a lot on these two position. Waylon Francis and Jorge Villafana were two of the best full backs in MLS last year. Both made less than $150,000 this past year. Rogers, DeLaGarza, and Cole will all be more expensive than that.
If left back was a huge hole, I could see going and making a big signing. That said, other teams in the league have found good, inexpensive, and young pieces at this position.
I hold judgement until the season starts to see where the pieces fit, but there will probably be cheaper and sprier options on bench. Those options might be better if Cole isn’t fit or can’t adjust to MLS.
It Could Have Been Worse Money Wise:
The LA Times reported that Cole will be making around $300,000 in 2016. That is below the DP threshold and it appears that no Target Allocation Money (TAM) was used. Furthermore, it’s possible that Nigel De Jong and Van Damme did not consume all of the Galaxy’s 2016 TAM.
$300,000 for a left back is a very poor use of money under the MLS salary cap system. That amount for a player of Cole’s age is a pore use of money considering his injuries. That said, it could have been a lot worse. Cole could have demanded DP money. It could have required TAM. It could have required ALL of the TAM. It didn’t.
If the Galaxy win MLS Cup and he’s a Best XI full back, I’ll be the first person to raise my hand and eat my humble pie. Until then, I’m cautiously pessimistic about this signing.
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