BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – With midfielder Sebastián Grazzini’s contract set to expire at the end of the month, the Chicago Fire have been mum on whether they’ll pick up his club option for the rest of the season.
“There’s a time to make those decisions, and that time hasn’t come,” coach Frank Klopas said on Wednesday.
Klopas acknowledged on Wednesday that Grazzini’s willingness to stay with the club would be a factor in picking up the option, but the head coach isn’t directly involved in contract discussions.
“You’ve got to have the right mentality from a player too,” Klopas said. “For me, the most important thing is the overall of the team, not one player. I think it goes many ways. You’re going to have many players that want to be here. I’m not saying the guy doesn’t want to be here. There’s a lot into it.”
Grazzini was unavailable for comment on Wednesday. Last week, he told FutbolMLS.com that he wanted to remain with the Fire, but the contract situation made him “uncomfortable.”
The Argentine has started 13 of the Fire’s 14 games this season, but the recent addition of Chris Rolfe leaves his place in the starting lineup in question. razilian attacking midfielder Alex, who plays a similar position to Grazzini, recently arrived, and he’ll be available when the transfer window opens on June 27.
Klopas also said he expects the club to make a signing during the summer transfer window. To sign another international player, the club would have to either acquire another international spot or rid their roster of an international player.
During Sunday’s 3-1 victory over New York, Grazzini was taken out of the game in the 60th minute for Rolfe. Grazzini appeared unhappy about his removal, but Klopas said not to read into the substitution.
“He wasn’t sharp, he was losing balls, he looked tired, it was a hot day and we took him off and the game changed,” Klopas said. “I don’t know if he was upset, I was paying attention to the game at that time. I’m sure no players want to come out. I was a player myself, so I understand that moment. You act a lot on emotions, but the most important thing is that the team won.”
