The New England Revolution has had a very hit-and-miss campaign to date. They have gone through times of struggling for goals and also times of failing to keep the ball out of the other net. Bruce Arena has rolled the dice in the summer window with hopes of getting his team above the playoff line. Two of the new arrivals are Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Christian Makoun, this duo was just introduced to the New England press.
Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Christian Makoun Are Welcomed In!
Ismael Tajouri-Shradi Arrives From LAFC
Winger Ismael Tajouri-Shradi may be joining from LAFC, but is best known for his time with NYCFC. The Libyan international began his MLS tenure in New York and went on to spend a few seasons there. His new manager spoke highly of him in the press conference, saying that he “Is a good attacking player. He can take people on, he can finish. He scored a number of goals in his MLS career. We’re hopeful that’s something he can contribute to us once he gets healthy.” The player went on to say that he “Will hopefully be back in 10 days to two weeks.”
Talking of Arena and Tajouri-Shradi spoke on the conversations he had with the coach prior to joining. “I had a conversation with the coach, and he knows me already from before with New York City. So, he knew what I like to play, what I can do, what I have to improve, we talked a little bit about that… I’m going to try to do that and get there as soon as possible.”
Bringing firepower to Foxborough 🔥🫡 pic.twitter.com/qfjwafy4Nm
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 5, 2022
In terms of off-field affairs, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi has moved around a fair bit. New York, LA and New England are three very different places. The 28-year-old spoke about his new home: “I didn’t know much about Boston. We just came here as opponents, stayed around this area [Foxborough], and played the games then went right back.”
“I remember when we played against New England, they were hard to play against. It was a team that was really physically good with the ball, really direct, so always hard to play against.” He continued to speak highly of the Revolution: “This is a great team with a lot of character, and I can’t wait to be out there with the team.”
Christian Makoun Switches Charlotte for New England
Moving over from Ismael Tajouri-Shradi to the other new face, Christian Makoun. Love him or loathe him, Bruce Arena has a great track record when it comes to MLS and the Venezuelan defender spoke about his impact too. Apparently, Arena “Played a big role. They were very direct. When they told me about the opportunity, they explained what they wanted from me, what the plan was. I didn’t doubt it because it’s a great club.”
Having introduced him as a centre-back, his versatility knows no bounds. 2In the past years, I’ve learned a lot of positions. I’ve played a lot as a center back, which is my principal position, center back on the left. I’ve also played a little bit of left outside back, a little bit in the middle, but I identify most as a center back. But I’m a part of this team and they can put me where they need me in that moment.”
New no. 6 sighting👀 pic.twitter.com/XSgZQfDWcI
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 4, 2022
Christian Makoun and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi join the Revs in an interesting position. One positive result and they’ll be back in the provisional playoff spots but all is still to play for in the bid for post-season football. “We know we have some injuries at the moment but the team’s handling things in the right way. I’ll keep working when it’s my turn to help this team get points and make the playoffs.”
The pair both stressed the idea that it is a club with lofty ambitions and they plan to match them. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Christian Makoun are just two of a number of new arrivals. Giacomo Vrioni, Clement Diop, Djordje Petrovic, and Dylan Borrero have all arrived in this video with two of them getting a mention from the latter, as follows. “I’m building chemistry with Giacomo [Vrioni]. We can communicate in the same language. Same with Dylan [Borrero], Maciel, Wilfrid [Kaptoum], Gustavo [Bou].”
We are into the final stretch of the season and the Revs’ playoff hopes are hanging finely in the balance. There are some big fixtures on the horizon, starting with this weekend’s visit of D.C. United to Gillette Stadium.
