Chicago Fire signs Jonathan Bamba in a game-changing move for MLS dominance | OneFootball

Chicago Fire FC keeps moving the market, and while the transfer window has yet to open, they made it known that 2024 is not going to be different. The other Ivorian is Jonathan Bamba, a winger, who comes from Celta Vigo. It is another ambitious step in rebuilding a team that wants to go back into the sports pages. The signing until 2027 brought Bamba with the mission of being a game-changer.

A good investment for now and in the future.

$2 million is an insignificant amount of money in contrast to the historic sum of $14 million with Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers. However, Bamba's cost-benefit cannot be overlooked. At 28 years old, the player boasts almost 340 professional matches, 50 goals, 53 assists, and a direct contribution to Lille's historic Ligue 1 title in 2020/21. That is a resume that positions him as a player who is still at the prime of his career, but at an age where experience allows him to more than sufficiently command an attack.

For head coach Gregg Berhalter, Bamba's arrival is a strategic fit for the team's offensive setup. The Ivorian, according to the coach, brings work rate, the ability to break down defenses, and the experience needed to guide the Fire back to the Audi MLS Cup playoffs, something they haven't achieved since 2017.

The missing piece in the attack?

Bamba joins an attack that already features interesting names like Hugo Cuypers, Philip Zinckernagel, and Brian Gutiérrez. This quartet forms a mix of youth, talent, and experience that should give Chicago Fire offensive depth, something the team has lacked during the last seasons.

Impact on and off the field

Beyond what he brings onto the pitch, Jonathan Bamba is also an important nod to Chicago's international community. That he will play for the Ivory Coast after spending time with France's youth teams speaks to African roots that should resonate with a multicultural fanbase like the Fire's.

Bamba also arrives with a message aligned with the club’s project, highlighting his excitement about being part of such an important phase. “I’m very happy to join Chicago Fire at such an important moment for the club. The direction the team is taking is very exciting, and I’m looking forward to contributing to its future success,” Bamba said at his presentation.

Berhalter’s challenge and the road to the playoffs

The Gregg Berhalter era officially begins in February 2025, and expectations couldn't be higher. Now the coach has in his hands the mission to revive Chicago Fire, one of the historic clubs in MLS, but one that has been accumulating disappointing campaigns.

Berhalter will now have the pieces to put together a competitive team from day one of the regular season with players like Bamba and Cuypers. It is, however, more than just good signings that are required for the Fire to return to the playoffs. It will require consistency, tactical discipline, and a winning mentality to end the seven-year drought without reaching the postseason.