Exciting Potential Roster Changes (m0NESY to C9!?) - News Flash #7

The post Major roster shuffle is a recurring phenomenon in the Counter-Strike world. Let's see what could happen this time around.

Now that the Major is over and the next one is eight months away, virtually every team will be looking to strengthen their rosters in the coming weeks.

Of course, no transfer season is complete without rumors and speculations about potential moves among the Counter-Strike elite.

While nothing is confirmed yet, here are some potential roster changes that are not only exciting but also make at least a smidge of sense.

Image credit: PGL

m0NESY to Cloud9

Arguably the best CS2 player in the world joining up with the AWPer-less legendary core of 2021 NAVI with Boombl4 at the helm - what’s not to like?

Cloud9 fans and pretty much the whole of the Counter-Strike community have been crying out for C9 to give up on their five rifler endeavor and sign a dedicated sniper for months.

What better candidate to fill that void than the highest-rated player of the first CS2 Major?

m0NESY’s back must be in agony after carrying his lackluster teammates to the Major semi-final with a 1.37 rating in his first-ever Major playoff appearance.

As for Cloud9, they somehow managed to reach the quarters with three players sharing the big green and even beat the Major Champions NAVI in the Elimination Stage.

If you add the best AWPer in the world to three solid riflers and an accomplished IGL, only good things can happen (in theory).

The two biggest issues with this move are the fact that m0NESY is certainly more expensive than the infamous $600k G2 splurged out on the NAVI Junior prodigy back in 2022, and who he would replace.

The two players on the chopping block would have to be Hobbit or Ax1Le, with the pair taking turns underdelivering in each tournament.

While Ax1Le has a much higher ceiling and untapped potential, Hobbit has come into his own in recent tournaments and looks better and better in Boombl4’s system.

No matter who’d get axed, getting m0NESY would be a statement of intent from C9 and a great move regarding both their current aspirations and future-proofing of the roster.

s1mple to NAVI

NAVI wouldn’t be the first team to make a roster change right after a Major victory, and their predecessors didn’t have the CS:GO GOAT on the bench ready to jump in.

While all of Aleksib, jL, w0nderful, and b1t are getting their flowers after clinching the trophy, iM has faced considerable criticism due to his below-par individual performance.

Deservedly so, I might add - the Romanian averaged a mere 0.88 rating while trusted with star player positions and expected to deliver the bulk of the impact on the server.

As for s1mple’s role in all of this, he has expressed that he’s open to picking up the rifle on several occasions, even doing so during his (short) stint with Falcons.

If iM doesn’t show considerable improvements in the coming months, there’s a strong possibility that s1mple will take his place on NAVI for the fall season.

Would that be for the better of the team? That’s a question no one will be able to answer until we see the situation unfold.

jks to Vitality

This change is one I’m all for, even though it may not be popular with a lot of people.

mezii hasn’t been bad in Vitality per se, but he hasn’t set the server alight either. At the same time, a two-time IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne winning anchor is available.

jks’ departure from G2 is still surrounded by mystery, especially since his replacement turned out to be nexa. The Aussie had a monumental impact in G2’s two championship victories, yet he’s still without a team.

Ever since Magisk took off for Falcons, both Vitality’s ceiling and floor seem to have lowered, and jks would be an instant fit within their ranks.

Albeit, mezii’s tenure on Vitality hasn’t been long and he still has time to improve. He’s also three years younger than jks, so if the Bees are looking for longevity, he might be the better pick.

All in all, if Vitality are looking to improve their team here and now, jks is their best bet. If they believe in mezii’s ability to improve as an anchor, then they should stick with the Brit.