TFC defender Chris Mavinga posts cryptic messages about the club on Twitter

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Veteran Toronto centre back Chris Mavinga went on Twitter frenzy on Thursday, cryptically suggesting that the club is going to “fall with me.”

The native of Meaux, France, who has played for TFC since 2017, Mavinga posted a number of rather cryptic posts first thing on Thursday morning, starting with: ‘LMAO (laughing emoji) #TFCLive if anyone wants a one a one interview on what’s going on my dm are open … I need to speak out with @Toronto FC’. After that, he posted: ‘I like this club but they will fall with me.’ And then: ‘Twitter is amazing one little message and my dm getting out of control’. Followed by: ‘Even those who criticize me all year want to chat with me … been so quiet doesn’t mean I seen nothing.’ And finally: ‘Show your weakness to someone is like bleeding next to a shark.

Reached by the Toronto Sun, Mavinga wouldn’t comment. TFC would not comment on Mavinga’s tweets.

In a release earlier this month, TFC announced its end-of-season roster moves, including the fact that veteran goalkeepers Alex Bono and Quentin Westberg as well as defender Doneil Henry and midfielder Noble Okello were out of contract at the end of the year and would not return to the club. The report also stated that TFC would not exercise the 2023 contract option for Mavinga but remains in discussions with him for a potential new deal. Reportedly there have been talks recently between Mavinga and the club and an offer reportedly was put on the table. According to the MLS Players Association salary guide, Mavinga earned just over $1 million this past season. It’s unlikely TFC, one of the biggest-spending clubs in MLS, offered him a new deal at that amount.

Mavinga, 31, joined TFC from Russian club Rubin Kazan in Jan. 2017, agreeing to a three-year contract. Prior to the 2018 season, he was re-signed to a multi-year contract extension. He was a member of the Reds team that captured the Domestic Treble in 2017 – the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and Canadian Championship, as well as the Toronto team that advanced to the final in the 2018 Champions League final and the 2019 MLS Cup final.

This past season, Mavinga appeared in 19 games. His play at times was inconsistent though he was also dealing with some health and personal issues. When he is on his game, Mavinga is a top centre back in MLS. Over the last couple of seasons, the Reds have struggled defensively. TFC gave up 66 goals this season – third most in the league. Two keepers (Bono and Westberg) and a defender (Henry) have already been cast free by TFC.

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