A Youri comeback?
Could Youri be asking his old teammate for a job?
It may not mean anything but one of Youri Djorkaeff's representatives attended Red Bulls training on Thursday and met with Red Bulls technical director Jeff Agoos. Could the Frenchman be itching for one last go-round?
As of late spring, Djorkaeff was still living in New York City and may be tempted to come back to a Red Bulls team that is much better than the team he left. You couldn't really blame Djorkaeff if he wanted to go out in a better fashion than he did last year, missing his last game as a Red Bull due to injury.
The team still has Djorkaeff's rights but I'm not sure how it would work salary-wise. More importantly, I'm not sure what role Djorkaeff would play on the current Red Bulls team.
When asked about the possibility on Thursday, Agoos smiled and said, "You never know." That probably translates to, "No shot."
Is it realistic to expect Djorkaeff, at 39, to come back? Probably not. As I stated above, it was probably nothing, but I thought you folks would find it interesting.
We're in 1st place now.... no need to take a step back.
Posted by: Lalique | May 31, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Are you sure that's a step back? The guy may be old but I'm sure that he'd still be very good coming off the bench late in the game. Especially if he wants to play, he might not cost as much money. I wouldn't mind seeing this.
Posted by: Dave | May 31, 2007 at 12:37 PM
If Clemens could come back why not Youri!?
Posted by: Frank the Frowner | May 31, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Perhaps he wants to run the youth academy...
Posted by: nutmegger | May 31, 2007 at 12:51 PM
The modern day Milla from the Red Bulls bench....that would be a great story..
Posted by: Paul Lorinczi | May 31, 2007 at 12:53 PM
I don't think it's a step back at all. Even though he's old, he still was a class above rest of RB players last year. With the current team, he won't be asked to carry as much load. I don't see how his addition could hurt this team.
Posted by: Daniel S. | May 31, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Having Youri for 100K or less would seem like a pretty good move. Especially if it were 50K or less. I wouldn't use an enormous amount of salary space for him, though I do think he'd contribute alot.
But, also, the prospect of Youri running the youth academy (which someone speculated or posed above) would be really intriguing and promising.
Posted by: usbfc | May 31, 2007 at 12:59 PM
He's insane! Hang them Youri Youri Youri
Posted by: sprool11 | May 31, 2007 at 01:04 PM
If not to run the youth academy, then to assist in running the youth academy. The man can be an asset to the club either on or off the field.
RBNY could have their very own Clarefontaine off I-95!
Posted by: Tat106 | May 31, 2007 at 01:23 PM
we know Youri can still be, at the very least, an impact player in this league...he's not that far removed from having been one, on a lesser team than the one we currently have.
so IF Youri took less money to come back, without ANY extracurricular crap, and helped this team down the stretch and in the playoffs - well, i think it could only help Youri's Metro/Red Bull legacy, which is certainly tainted in the eyes of some fans.
of course, it's not to say he should come back to try and win over some fans...but i do think he would like to go out on a better note, if not, being a part of a championship team.
as far as our team midfield goes, we already have Mathis playing in a position that he doesn't necessarily prefer because Reyna is made of glass...in all seriousness, i'm a fan of Reyna's but it's just not smart to rely on him...Mathis is also older now, so even if his body holds up throughout the summer, it'll have been more wear on the body than he's had in some time between the work in the midfield and the turf...it sure would be nice to have Youri come in and give him a break (and vice versa)
the more i think about it, the more i think we might need Youri more than he needs us.
Posted by: Jasen | May 31, 2007 at 01:27 PM
I didn't like how he just split on the team last year.
Posted by: Tim | May 31, 2007 at 01:35 PM
What if he's trying to get on the training staff? Isn't that a possibility?
Posted by: sublicon | May 31, 2007 at 01:54 PM
And which young player do you want to get rid of to make space for him??? Can't drop a defender like Taylor Graham for Youri since we're already thin in the back. And we actually have a good group of young, athletic attacking players to use and give experience to. And at most he could give one year of service, yet Arena is trying to build a team that competes every year - this is done by having players that aren't looking to retire on a good note -a swansong season.
Somebody mentioned clemens coming back to the yankees - whatever.... that's a guy making an insane amount of money for part of a season, doesn't have to fly to away games he's not scheduled to play, doesn't have to attend all team functions, doesn't have to fly with the team - hardly a team player. Clemens and Youri - two different people with probably different intentions, but why take the chance when chemistry is already good? Yeah, we really need a guy that only has shown interest in the team now that they're winning.
Posted by: Lalique | May 31, 2007 at 02:03 PM
Lalique, Youri isnt exactly lockerroom cancer pal. I think having Youri as an experienced foot coming off the bench wouldnt hurt us a bit. Wasn't Ives reporting that some of the younger underachievers may be at point of being dropped? And as far as a thin D, I believe that Arena has already proven that he can handle those delicate situations (remember, we are winning with 0 WINGBACKS)
Youri, COME BACK. Just one more year. And then, STICK AROUND. Youth academy, assistant coach, whatever. Come back Youri, Come BACK!
Posted by: Uncle Dave | May 31, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Who would you rather have coming off the bench in this scenario. Playoffs: 65th minute, game tied, do you want rookies like Sinisa and Sal Caccavalle or Youri?
Posted by: Frank the Frowner | May 31, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Once again, Frank the Frowner makes a brilliant point . . . but tell me . . . does it take more muscles to smile or frown?
Posted by: Uncle Dave | May 31, 2007 at 03:52 PM
takes more to frown.
I'd love to see Youri come back. Even with the World Cup 06 debacle he's class. He'd be a terrifying 65th minute sub playing off/with the current roster.
Posted by: JD | May 31, 2007 at 04:13 PM
If the Bulls can find a way to bring back Youri into the fold it would not be a bad move... either as a player or as a coach. He has great connections and even though he is known as the 'snake.' He still is a pretty classy guy in my book despite what some may think... and as Agoos said "You never know.." Ives that could mean
YES!
Posted by: ag nigrin | May 31, 2007 at 04:16 PM
After that world cup move? No.
Posted by: ct | May 31, 2007 at 06:30 PM
If Youri does sign with RBNY then this would be the end of Magee.
Posted by: Elf | May 31, 2007 at 10:24 PM
If this happens it confirms my suspicion: Red Bull NY is the Inter Milan of MLS.
Posted by: dc fan | June 01, 2007 at 02:14 AM
Youri is pure class; Red Bull is better off with him than without him. I am not sure how much he can help the team, but I think with our current injury troubles he could certainly get on the field. That being said I am intrigued about the idea of having him take Gio's job.
Posted by: Eric | June 01, 2007 at 08:37 AM
Why would we waste a senior international spot on a 39 year old player? I love Youri, but his career is over. If he's interested in helping the team in other ways, like as some sort of ambassador, that'd be fine.
Posted by: Mark | June 01, 2007 at 11:21 AM
All this because Youri sent his rep to see if he could score some tix for the Beckham game?
Posted by: Dave | June 01, 2007 at 01:01 PM