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Besides Pozuelo, GM Ali Curtis is expected to acquire a couple of other players of quality within the next few weeks.

Bradley talked the other day about how he has really hit it off with Ciman, as has the Belgian international’s fellow defender Chris Mavinga. And everybody seems to be raving about what DeLeon brings to the club, as a player and as a teammate.

Bradley said even the young players trying to break in have brought a positive energy.

“In general, what I would say is the young group of players that we have are great kids,” said the TFC captain. “They come in here every day with the right mentality, they come in excited to be here. They come in ready to look around, to watch, to learn. They’re an important part of the group because just as you need the right leadership, the right veterans, the right older guys, you also need the right younger guys who come with their own energy and youthful exuberance, and that part is definitely important.”

Character doesn’t score or prevent goals. But when a team hits the skids or faces unforeseen challenges, character helps pick it back up. And that was something that seemed to have been lacking at times last year when some key guys were out with injuries or when Giovinco’s contract negotiations were being talked about in the media.

“This group is eager to get better every single day and that goes to their character,” said Vanney. “I think it’s where we were a couple of years ago (when the Reds won pretty much everything).

“Last year, I think in the pursuit of championships … we got a little outcome-orientated and not enough process-orientated and I think this group is really focused on that, right now.”

SBuffery@postmedia.com

Twitter @Beezersun