(Editorial) – Robbie Keane is possibly the best Designated Player in Major League Soccer history. He’s recorded 80 goals and 44 assists in 118 league games with 0.61 goals/90 minutes. He’s the captain and undisputed leader of the LA Galaxy. He’s the face of the biggest club in the league.
He’s had some injury issues the past few years. Keane is out of contract at the end of the year. With the 36-year-old coming to the twilight of his career, what are the LA Galaxy to do?
Robbie Keane Contract Situation: What The Galaxy Should Do
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the Irishman indicated that he wants to remain with the club. It’s their decision.
“It’s out of my hands and it’s up to the club to come and speak to me. But if not, then no problem, I’ll move on and find somewhere else where I’m wanted.” Keane said. He added “But my choice is to stay here. I’m settled here. If I’m still producing on the field then there’s no reason why I should leave this place.”
Keane currently has seven goals and one assist in 10 league games this season. He missed some time early in the year due to knee surgery. He was also with the Irish National Team for their entire stint in the UEFA Euros 2016, which did not completely overlap with Copa America, causing him to miss several games.
However, since returning to the Starting XI, the Galaxy are on a tear. They’re hosting the Semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in a few weeks.
The Galaxy appear to be making their (almost routine) push in the second half of the season. This turnaround corresponded in part with Keane returning to the lineup. If you look at his production per 90 minutes this year, it’s right up their with his averages of year’s past.
Robbie Keane’s game is about intelligence and skill more than it is speed and athleticism. That’s why he’s aged so much better than most athletes. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if his stats per time on the field for 2017 are close to his totals from the past two years. The issue is how much he’s going to play in the future.
Keane has yet to retire from the Irish National Team. He wasn’t a starter in the Euros this summer so he could be on his way out of the national team. Still it’s something to consider.
Furthermore, this is now two years in a row Keane has missed more than a month due to injury. Even for a player who takes good care of his body and who doesn’t rely on athleticism, Father Time is winning and will win this battle. Just ask Kobe Bryant about the exponential decay of the human body.
The Galaxy should wait and see how the season plays out. If Keane plays in every league match from here on out, he’ll play in 27 of 34 matches. That would be his second most games played since coming to MLS. If he’s able to stay healthy, that’s vindication that he can and will be effective in 2017.
If not, it might be time to play hard ball. It’s difficult to argue signing a DP who won’t be healthy and available for less than two-thirds of the season. If that’s the case with Keane, it might be time for the Galaxy to cut bait or set a limit on Keane’s salary.
The striker made around $4.5 million in 2015 and will make $3.5 million this season. One could argue just drop his salary to say, $2 million. The issue is, this is the LA Galaxy. They only have 3 DP slots and those slots are always going to be taken up by big players. If Keane has one foot in the proverbial grave, why sign him to a lower contract when you can go out and get a block buster contributor who will be available every week?
This leads to the possibility of the Galaxy offering Keane an even lower contract that can then be bought down with Target Allocation Money, making room for another star. (Zlatan Ibrahimovic did sign just a 1-year deal with Manchester United).
Would Keane take a 70% pay cut to stay at a club and in a city he and his family are happy? Would a U.K. based team come and offer him a more lucrative deal? Might he want to return to Ireland to retire there if he feels the Galaxy are shafting him?
If Keane is healthy and produces the rest of 2016, all of this is moot. Even if Bruce Arena leaves after this year, Keane’s the established captain and would make for an easy transition for a new head coach and/or general manager.
If Keane doesn’t stay healthy or doesn’t produce, the Galaxy might have to make the prudent but gut wrenching decision. Regardless, Robbie Keane will go down as one of the greatest DPs and LA Galaxy players of all time.
Arena is a mastermind and no doubt has a contingency plan for each of the above scenario. He and Keane will have these conversations when the time comes. The right decision will be made. Until then, the focus is solely on winning.
