Who should replace Karrigan on the FaZe CS:GO roster?

FaZe Clan are searching for a fifth member to join their Counter-Strike: Global Offensive roster after benching long-time in-game leader Finn ‘Karrigan’ Andersen. Now two of the scenes most vocal names have made their feelings known about the situation. 

The team will need to make a change before the January 1 roster lock for the upcoming IEM Katowice Major. However, there has been no inclination on which player they will pick up to replace Karrigan.  

Natus Vincere star Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev was the first name to be linked to join the all-star roster. S1mple added bait to those rumors when he tweeted FazeUp? on December 18. However, he rubbished the rumors during his December 20 stream when he stated: “Man, I’m not joining FaZe Clan, so there is no need to wish me good luck. Good luck in 2019, that’s what you need to wish.”

Karrigan was dropped by FaZe Clan after spending nearly three years on the roster.

The debate will rage on until the team finds a suitable replacement for their long-time in-game leader. However, two of Counter-Strike’s biggest name have weighed in on the situation and given their opinion on the situation. During episode 59 of the Return Of By The Numbers podcast, hosts Richard Lewis and Duncan ‘Thorin’ Shields discussed the prospect of who may be picked up by FaZe Clan.

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“I have a real hard time trying to figure out someone that this team would simultaneously respect but is even vaguely available. Like, that’s a real tough call to narrow that down right there,” said Thorin. “If anything, if they don’t respect someone like Karrigan, who’s left at that point?”

“I literally cannot think of an in-game leader of the caliber you would think,” added Lewis.

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The pair did discuss one notable name who could join the roster – Chris ‘ChrisJ’ de Jong of Mousesports. “ChrisJ has done a really good job with Mous, which is kind of a FaZe-like team but would they really recruit him to this team?” said Thorin.

However, after his history with FaZe’s star player, Nikola ‘NiKo’ Kovač, they aren’t sure that could ever happen. 

“I don’t even think ChrisJ and NiKo could. I don’t know if that’s a marriage that wants to get fucking renewed, you know,” added Lewis. 

Whoever FaZe decide to replace Karrigan with, they will have to make a move before the New Year’s day roster lock. With a small pool of talent available as free agents, they have to dig deep into their pockets to find a replacement.