Cloud9 is looking for members to replace FNS

Cloud9 CS:GO is looking for new talent to join its roster.

It looks like Pujan “FNS” Mehta will be replaced after the ECS Season 5 Finals ends in June, according to information released by DBLTAP. His replacement could be Nathan “NBK” Schmitt or G2 Esports’ Dan “apEX” Madesclaire – two players who may not have a team after this French shuffle.

Since FNS replaced Stewie2k in late March, Cloud9 has struggled against several opponents in major tournaments like FaZe Clan, Heroic, Tyloo. Stewie2k is currently playing with SK Gaming, and coincidentally the Brazilian team also had the same problem with Cloud9. FNS was acquired from compLexity Gaming for $200,000, according to Cloud9 CEO Jack Etienne.

FNS has only been with Cloud9 for about two months and this could be his second time leaving the team since 2018, with compLexity being the first. Under the leadership of FNS, Cloud9 left right from the group stage in three consecutive tournaments – DreamHack Marseille in April, IEM Sydney in May, and ESL Pro League Season 7 Finals this weekend. Tarik handed over the IGL position to FNS when a personnel change occurred and as a result the team was slowly slipping, according to the team’s coach Valens.

As for the FNS alternatives, NBK and apEX seem to be the go-to options for Cloud9. The French duo could be left out of the new G2 lineup created by Shox. However, we can’t say anything yet and it’s unclear when the French shuffle will happen.

Another name that could also be considered by Cloud9 is Braxton “swag” Pierce, who just left Torqued yesterday. However, the only problem that Cloud9 has to trade is that the organization cannot attend the prestigious Valve Major tournaments because he is still banned from playing from Valve.

FNS did not directly deny this news when he replied to DBLTAP’s Twitter.

THIS ARTICLE HAS FALSE INFO. We made it out of groups at Marseilles bro, c’mon. ?

— Pujan Mehta (@FNS) May 24, 2018