So the New York Red Bulls’ top organizational man says he may want Thierry Henry to consider another year after his current deal expires, eh? One more year past 2014?
Well, why stop there? Henry will only be 38 after the 2015 season! The rolls are full of men who have played on into their late 30s and even 40s. Most of them are goalkeepers … but details, details!
Look, what is New York sporting director Andy Roxburgh supposed to say?
To keep the high maintenance Frenchman happy, to keep the peace among supporters and to keep the sponsors happy, the club has no choice but to put a smiley face on any queries involving Henry’s longevity and relevance.
Henry is under contract through 2014. He wasn’t always effective in 2013, although the fabulous Frenchman can certainly still manufacture the memorable moment, can’t he?
Here’s what Roxburgh told reporters Tuesday (from a story at MLSSoccer.com):This is the last year [2014] of this particular contract, but there’s no reason why he couldn’t extend it. Right now, I don’t think he’s thinking like that because when I sat down with him when the season finished, I just asked him straight, ‘So you’re playing next season,’ [and he said] immediately as soon as I asked, ‘Yes.’ ”
“He said, ‘I’m very optimistic about the way things are going and I want to be involved in it.’ That was enough. If he comes away with the same reaction next year, who knows?”
Again, what is he supposed to say here?
Henry doesn’t play on artificial turf, which will be increasingly problematic as his effectiveness declines. His goal total has already dropped, measurably so this year despite playing more games than the previously two seasons.
Henry will play in 2014 – but those ongoing heel issues aren’t going to improve. That signature burst of speed (admittedly still there in 2013) isn’t going to be last forever.
If Henry is playing in 2015, I will be shocked.
In fact, I’ll be a bit surprised if the Red Bulls actually want him to perform in 2015 – not when they’ll need a seriously splashy signing to compete with Major League Soccer’s the other club from New York, NYCFC.
