UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Before the signings of Thierry Henry and Rafa Márquez, there were rumors of a creative No. 10 player joining the ranks of the New York Red Bulls. And some reports speculated that player to be recent San Jose Earthquakes signing Geovanni.
Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe, however, said that San Jose's new Designated Player was never a part of his plans.
“Not Geovanni,” Backe said.
In early August, the Red Bulls announced Márquez as their third DP, but the Mexican National Team captain is more of a holding midfielder and not a creative force centrally. Even though Backe said throughout the summer that the team was looking for a creative, central player for the midfield, the Red Bulls didn't think he was coming to MLS.
“I still thought he was going to be for Hull,” Backe said about Geovanni, who played last season for Hull City in the English Premier League.
Backe did praise the quality of the San Jose signing, saying that he planned on talking with the player before Saturday’s match at Red Bull Arena.
“I might tell him to take it easy on us,” Backe said with a laugh.
Kristian
R. Dyer can be reached for comment at KristianRDyer@yahoo.com and followed at twitter.com/kdyer1012
