"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
A hundred here we come.
And that's a good question. With this new management it looked like it was finally time for TFC 2.0 but if they say they are determined to keep him as "captain and leader" it's a little worrisome. Not because of "trial-gate" (I also don't think DeRo did anything wrong) but just because his style of play might be more suited for an older version of MLS. And as Pookie says, there's the whole age thing....
How this plays out could be very telling for how the team is going to be run going forward.
Well, consider that the new management regime is not necessarily walking into this situation blindfolded. As a former assistant manager of the New England Revolution for several years, Paul Mariner should be familiar enough with DeRo's abilities to determine whether or not he has the required skill set to play Aron Winter's preferred style of football. DeRo has played like a loose cannon at times over his career but if he is utilized as an attacking forward in a 4-3-3 formation, he could very well fit in...
If he sticks to tactical assignments defensively, a "total football" based 4-3-3- would actually totally suit DeRo's style, because it allows massively more flexibilty when moving offensively by having other players recognize and fill gaps in the team shape.
Consequently, when DeRo runs off on his own -- which, selfish or not, does produce goals at a fair clip -- under a 433 TF system, we won't be nearly as exposed to counterattack, while still taking advantage of our offensive weapons.
Total football doesn't work unless players cover for one another, period. The system will just break down if players play selfishly and even the most stubborn among is going to realize that really, really quickly.
When forced to play as a two-way mid at HOuston, DeRo adapted. He had Stuart Holden next to him, mind you, which makes things a little easier, and his goal count went down to six. But his assists went up. So it is possible to rein him in.