Big headlines have not been lacking at CF Montreal in recent weeks. But there is a file that should start to take its place more and more in the sun.
Posted at 4:48 p.m.
That of Victor Wanyama. CF Montreal’s only designated player has been doing a great job in the Montreal midfielder since his arrival from Tottenham in March 2020. But now his contract is coming to an end at the end of this season.
This year, he has only missed 4 games out of the 32 his club have played in all competitions. With his role as a defensive midfielder, he manages to dictate the pace in the center thanks to his precise play, as well as his robustness and build.
The Kenyan is the team’s best player in terms of duels won, with 268. That’s around 60 more than Lassi Lappalainen (206). He is second in successful tackles (21). He is the third most used player by his coach in MLS, with 2003 minutes played. Only Alistair Johnston, who has not missed a game, and Rudy Camacho have more.
In short, you get the idea: Victor Wanyama is a pillar of CF Montreal.
But he is also 31 years old. And he is obviously the highest earner on his team, commanding a budget charge of more than $3 million, according to the MLS Players Association (MLSPA). For the curious, Bjørn Johnsen is the second highest paid in CFM, with a salary of just over 1 million.
Wanyama’s contract is part of the top 15 of the most expensive in the league, again according to MLSPA figures. The club therefore wonders whether it is better to trust a greener player – and who costs less – to fill this sensitive position. This was the questioning of sports director Olivier Renard, a few weeks ago, during his meeting with The Press.
Victor is a lovely person in the locker room. He brought a lot of things. It must be said what he is: he plays 95% of the matches. But it also has an age, and an investment price.
Olivier Renard, Sporting Director of CF Montreal
“Does the club prefer to invest again for this same position, when we may already have other players who can play there? Do we keep Victor because he is an important person in the locker room? We have already weighed the pros and cons of this. Afterwards, it’s up to Victor and me to talk about it. »
Friday, at the Nutrilait Center, Victor Wanyama was asked if he had had the opportunity to discuss it with his sports director.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet,” he said. But we know the situation. We’ll see what will happen. We have a lot to accomplish. »
One thing is certain, the man from Nairobi appreciates the MLS. And would like to continue his North American adventure.
“Several teams are progressing well. The league is getting better and better. I would like to continue playing here. And continue to write the history of our team. »
” Family ”
Yes, CF Montreal is young. And will continue to be so in the short, medium and probably long term. It remains that the international experience of a Victor Wanyama is not to be taken lightly. Kenyan faith.
I was in big locker rooms, ”said the man who also played for Celtic in Glasgow, Scotland, and Southampton, in the English Premier League. ” I have seen everything. Here we have very good players. And some are young. We have to make sure they keep their feet on the ground. And that they enjoy the moment, without overdoing it. We did well on that side.
Victor Wanyama
“We are all the same. That’s good for a locker room. We are all equal. Everyone has their opinion and everyone is listened to. We make sure everyone feels comfortable, important and respected. To become a family. »
This may be Victor Wanyama’s last season in Montreal. With the club’s philosophy of turning to youth, the chances of seeing him leave the Bleu-et-noir even increase considerably. However, could we keep him in the Quebec metropolis by reworking his contract to remove the designated player label?
“We will discuss it with him, reported Olivier Renard at the beginning of the month. Thirty-one is still young. But you are still more at the end of your career than an Ismaël Koné. Some players also want to monetize the last contract they have. »
This file, like that of Wilfried Nancy’s contract extension, should remain pending until the end of the season.