SoccerDe Guzman doesn't cure all of Toronto FC's problems

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Doesn't it?

Taken on it's own, it is a tremendous signing. Julian is an excellent player whose technical and tactical ability has grown immensely during his time in Europe. You don't play at the highest level in Spain, one of the top two leagues in the world, without being a little bit special. From that perspective, Toronto FC fans should feel like kids on Christmas morning.

But I can't help but have some concerns about the whole thing.

My concerns lie not with de Guzman. As I've said, he is Canada's best player and I'm sure he will be a success in Major League Soccer.

Mo has work to do

My concerns lie with the rest of the squad. In particular, how is general manager Mo Johnston going to wheel and deal so that next season de Guzman and his new teammates can make a push not just for the playoffs, but for MLS Cup glory?

I said new teammates because if anyone thinks that adding only de Guzman to this team is going to cure it of its ailments, you are kidding yourself.

I wrote earlier this week that this is one of the most unbalanced teams I have ever seen. No threat up front, no width, only two fullbacks, five central defenders - only one of whom (Nana Attakora) should be playing in the first team right now - the list of problems that this team has is almost endless.

In fact, you could argue that TFC have signed their designated player to play in the only position in which they have any depth - central midfield.

De Guzman is not a natural goal scorer. He plays a more advanced position for the Canadian national team, but his natural abilities tend to favour him playing as a defensive midfielder. That is not to say that he can't score goals - he has certainly done so on occasion for Canada.

But most of his time at the club level has been spent in front of the back four, breaking up plays, distributing the ball and playing that crucial link role between defence and attack. He'll get some goals, but he is unlikely to hit double figures for TFC like his countryman, Dwayne De Rosario.

Which brings me to my next issue: What is De Rosario going to think now that de Guzman is making DP money and he's not?

Now I know what some of you are already saying: DeRo should be professional enough to deal with it. He was happy to sign his contract when he did, so he should have no problem with other players making more money. In fact, I agree with that perspective.

But that is unlikely how things are playing out.

Players are funny creatures, you see. They all want to feel that they are being treated fairly and that their contribution to the team is compensated accordingly. If De Rosario is the top player on the team next season, as he has been this year, it stands to reason that he will expect his compensation to reflect that. The problem is, he is not going to come anywhere close to the money that de Guzman will be making.

Mo Johnston will also have to move some players on if he is to reshape this squad. In fact, just about every big earner, apart from De Rosario, is likely to come under some consideration in terms of a trade. One or more of Carl Robinson, Amado Guevara, Chad Barrett and Jim Brennan could all be on their way in the off-season in order to free up salary cap room for some reinforcements.

Reinforcements needed

And it is a long list of reinforcements that are needed. One or two fullbacks, a commanding central defender to partner Attakora, one or two wingers and a genuine goal threat up front are needed to make this team a genuine championship threat.

Is it all going to happen this year? Only time will tell. The signing of Julian de Guzman is a welcome addition to the TFC line-up, but I'm afraid that an awful lot more needs to be done to bring the playoff success that TFC fans deserve to BMO Field.

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