One player excited to see Thierry Henry prove his mettle in America is Julien Baudet, a fellow Frenchman who’s heard all the opinions about New York’s prized import.
“Many people in Europe are going to see it as a step down for him but, when you get here, you see it is actually very competitive and a very good league,” the Colorado Rapids defender told MLSsoccer.com. “Henry is a winner and it’s going to be a big challenge for him. He should be excited; we should all be excited.”
Baudet argued that it’s pointless to dwell on Henry’s playing days with Barcelona, Arsenal or the French national team when talking about his current move to New York.
According to Baudet, it’s the right move at this stage of his life and career.
“It’s a fantastic move for him,” Baudet said. “He always wanted to go to New York and this is a great move for everyone and especially important for the MLS on the back of a great World Cup for the US team.”
While it’s too early to say whether Henry’s move will open the floodgates for a swarm of French and other European stars to make the trip over the Atlantic, it can only help that the striker has made such a move along with the likes of David Beckham, Baudet said.
“There’s no such thing as a first player anymore,” Baudet said in reference to Beckham’s much heralded move to the LA Galaxy in July 2007. “But, when you have players of his and Henry’s magnitude, it’s of course going to attract more interest in the MLS. Players talk among themselves and, if they get good reports from players like Beckham and Henry, you are clearly going to get more players.”
Baudet, clearly a very different player from Henry with his no-nonsense physical style in the back four, said Henry will have to adapt his game somewhat in the MLS. Referees are willing to brandish cards a little easier than in England, for example, he said.
Baudet, who admitted he knew very little about MLS when he was approached by Rapids’ head coach Gary Smith and his assistant Steve Guppy, said he can’t personally wait to play against Henry. The Rapids, who tied 1-1 in Colorado July 4 against New York, will visit Red Bull Arena Sept. 11.
“When you have players like this, you want to play against the best, you want to compete against the best,” he said. “And then we have to remember it is not just Angel and Henry, it is 11 players we are up against.”
