Toronto FC: Sebastian Giovinco’s desire for contract is positive
By Nick McAdam
Just hours before kickoff in the Champions League Final between Toronto FC and Guadalajara, Sebastian Giovinco was talking about his contract.
Sebastian Giovinco’s $7 million deal is set to expire with Toronto FC soon, which has only provided more concern for the Atomic Ant.
ESPN reported Giovinco’s concern about his future, but also his willingness to open talks with TFC.
"Sebastian Giovinco believes Toronto FC’s unwillingness to enter into new contract talks is a “a little bit” of a problem. “I already talk, but they said it’s not the moment [for contract talks],” Giovinco told the Toronto Sun. “For them, that’s not a problem, for me it is a little bit.“I want to know my future. I have family. I’m 31 years old. For what I do for the city, I think I deserve it, no? For them it’s not a problem, for me it’s starting to be a problem … I already said I want to stay here forever … If not, I have to think about other options.”"
The Reds will most likely have to raise the bar in terms of monetary value to extend Giovinco. At the moment, Transfermarkt has the attacker valued at $8 million. However, expect that number to double if Giovinco notches near 15 goals and continues his 90 percent assist clip.
The price will surely be worth it for Toronto. A former MVP and a player who has won it all with the Reds, the history with Giovinco is there. His abilities speak for itself, but the most crucial part of resigning the 31-year-old is his promising stat-line in 2018.
Giovinco, along with the rest of TFC, shifted a lot of focus to the Champions League instead of domestic competition. The Italian striker might have been one of the few to benefit from what was mentioned before, as he assisted 10 times in 11 appearances.
Gio’s stats in the MLS make not look pretty right now, but his advanced numbers look very promising. Several databases including WhoScored have Giovinco ranked as the top TFC player with double the rating of second place on the list. This has been the case for three consecutive seasons.
The former Juventus man is now producing six shots-per-game, along with three key passes and 2.7 successful dribbles. It shows hope in both the passing and scoring departments, as luck has to be on Giovinco’s side soon with the amount he’s pumping.
In all honesty, there should be nothing to worry about from Reds’ supporters. The simple fact that Giovinco would bring up the contract scenario shows some willingness to grab attention from the management to sign him soon or let him walk.
Pay the man!
— James Flannagan (@Angel12Flan) April 26, 2018
There’s absolutely no chance general manager Tim Bezbatchenko lets his prized asset walk. MLS is an old man’s league in truth, and Giovinco has been ripping it apart ever since his arrival.
Giovinco has some gas left and his numbers are showing that. He’s noted that he prefers TFC, so Bezbatchenko should let him finish in the North.
Another point to be made is that Giovinco is a perfect time gap between now and the future. The Ant is looking to produce a 15/15 clip, which is good enough to keep the Reds competing. While that happens, the time would be now for TFC to start filling the cupboards. Toronto has already started to do this with several promotions from TFC II and new signings Aidan Daniels and Julien Dunn.
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If the media story turned into reality, Giovinco would walk and the Reds would have a huge gap in the attack that would likely be filled by Tosaint Ricketts, at best. Ricketts, another player over age 30, is not the ideal attacker for Toronto in the future.
Giovinco may not produce the way he has over the past two seasons, but a simple 10-15 scoreline in two columns is good enough to make some MLS clubs drool.
There’s a lot of objectives to consider between now and the summer for Toronto. Developing the midfield and defense, catching ground in MLS and preparing for action with World Cup competition coming as well.
The Reds will surely have to add “sign Giovinco” to the list.
Next: TFC fall agonizingly short in the Champions League
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