Tchani a sizable addition to FC Edmonton’s lineup
FC Edmonton head coach Jeff Paulus is constantly looking at ways to improve his team and believes he found one in midfielder Tony Tchani.
The native of Cameroon, who has more than 200 games of Major League Soccer experience, signed with FC Edmonton earlier this week and could possibly see action against Pacific FC Saturday (4 p.m.) at Clarke Field.
“He brings experience and leadership, he’s played 212 games in the MLS at this point and he’s had an impact everywhere he’s been,” Paulus said. “We have 13 games left to go and I wanted a player that’s had North American experience, someone that can keep the team grounded and that’s been there and done that already in the MLS.”
Tchani, 30, has more than eight years of experience in MLS with Toronto FC, the Columbus Crew, Vancouver Whitecaps and, most recently, Chicago Fire.
“Football-wise, he’s a player that can control the midfield, he’s a player that can control the centre of the field,” Paulus said.
“He can take it over defensively, offensively, he can take and keep possession. He’s clean on the ball and that’s something we want to do this year. We want to keep the ball better and he adds to that. Set pieces, he’s just another weapon.”
Tchani is a two-way midfielder who can play in a holding role or push up as an attacking option. The 6-foot-4 native of Douala, Cameroon, adds even more size to an already tall lineup.
“I really enjoyed played in Canada and I really enjoyed playing in Vancouver when I was there two years ago,” Tchani said.
“I played with Alphonso (Davies) and he always talked about Edmonton and how nice it was here, so I’m happy to be here.”