HARRISON, N.J. — In the space of two weeks, the New York Red Bulls made two major signings in former Barcelona players Thierry Henry and Rafael Márquez. But they may not be done just yet.
“We’re still looking for one or two new players,” Red Bulls manager Hans Backe said Tuesday. “It’s a possibility before the close of the transfer window.”
Backe indicated that additions, if any, would come from Europe, and that he would consider switching his team's formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 with the right personnel.
“I would only see it if we get some new players in this week,” Backe said. “That could be the key factor … We are rather close to finding the players for the right balance to play a 4-3-3.”
For now, the Swede will concentrate on the 4-4-2 formation, with either a diamond-shape or a flat four midfield. Backe indicated a four-man midfield could feature Márquez in the middle together with Tony Tchani or Carl Robinson. Joel Lindpere would play on the left with Macoumba Kandji at wide right.
On the subject of Kandji, Red Bulls sporting director Erik Solér says the club is not interested in transferring the player after reports in England suggested that EPL teams were targeting him following a successful Barclays New York Challenge tournament.
“Kandji is going nowhere,” Solér said. “He looks good with his play now … He’s inspired by Thierry’s entrance and he will be inspired by the entrance of Rafa Márquez. So we don’t want to transfer him.”
There will be one move that will definitely need to be made. A player on the current roster will have to make way for the addition of Márquez. Solér said that decision would be taken in the next few days.
And for all the new DP signings who have committed to the New York Red Bulls on long-term contracts, the team’s original Designated Player, Juan Pablo Angel, is nearing the end of his deal after the conclusion of his fourth campaign with the club.
“His contract is up at the end of the year so that’s a thing that we have to look into in the coming months,” Soler said.
