Balogun to Tottenham? This summer’s biggest American transfers | USMNT Weekly
The hosts of USMNT Weekly discuss recent summer transfers involving American soccer players, including moves to Europe by Gio Reyna (Strasbourg), Benjamin Cremaschi (Parma), and several players joining Middlesbrough, while also assessing the likelihood of potential future transfers like Folarin Balogun to Tottenham and Tyler Adams to Newcastle.
Summary
The episode opens with casual banter about s'mores and fire pits before transitioning into a comprehensive analysis of American player transfers. The hosts evaluate Gio Reyna's move to Strasbourg as a risky career decision, noting it represents his fourth club in four seasons and expressing concern about the Blueco ownership model that prioritizes quick resales over player development. They grade the move as a B-minus, emphasizing that Reyna's success depends far more on his fitness and health than the destination itself.
The hosts express enthusiasm about the American contingent at Middlesbrough, which now includes Aidan Morris, Max Arfsten, and Sebastian Berhalter. They grade both Arfsten and Berhalter's moves as B-plus, appreciating how the Championship could develop Arfsten as a left back and provide Berhalter an environment to improve his possession play. The hosts note that Middlesbrough are serious promotion contenders (third favorites according to oddsmakers) and that having three Americans at the club creates a positive team dynamic.
Benjamin Cremaschi's permanent move to Parma receives an A grade, with the hosts noting his emergence as a right wing-back option in Serie A despite playing only 129 minutes last season. Diego Koken's loan to Lingby Copenhagen receives a B-plus despite early struggles (7 goals conceded in 3 games), with the hosts emphasizing he's only 20 years old and needs consistent minutes. Brian Reynolds' move to Rennes gets an A grade, as the hosts believe he has earned the step up after solid performances in Belgium and faces minimal competition for the right back spot.
The hosts address several other moves including Kevin Paredes to Utrecht, Daryl Dike's return to Orlando City (graded D for double D as a poetic touch), and Rokas Pukstas at Hajduk Split as a prospect to watch. For potential future transfers, they rate Folarin Balogun to Tottenham at a 7-9 likelihood, expressing strong enthusiasm for the fit with Roberto De Zerbi's system. They rate Ricardo Pepe's chances of leaving PSV as only a 4, noting that the previous Fulham deals fell through and other suitors haven't emerged. Tyler Adams to Newcastle or Manchester United receives a 1-2 rating, with hosts skeptical he meets those clubs' needs despite being mentioned as a defensive midfield option.
About this episode
<p>It's transfer season for some of your favorite USMNTers! Ryan, Graham, and Joe are here to dissect the moves that have already been made (Gio, the MiddlesBros, and more!) and to assess which other key U.S. players could move this summer (Balogun, Musah, and more!). </p><br /><p><strong>JOIN THE TSS+ PATREON!</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/totalsoccershow" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check out our Patreon</a>, which houses bonus podcasts, access to our exclusive Discord, videos, The TSS Scouting Network, and much more.</p><br /><p><strong>WATCH TSS EPISODES ON YOUTUBE!</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Total-Soccer-Show" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">We're posting all our episodes here</a>! Smash like and subscribe etc.!</p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Key Insights
- Gio Reyna's repeated club changes (fourth club in four seasons) suggest the issue is with his fitness and health rather than the destination, making any transfer assessment largely dependent on non-soccer factors
- The Blueco ownership model at Strasbourg prioritizes rapid player sales rather than long-term development, meaning even if Reyna excels there, he would likely be moved on within a year
- Middlesbrough's three American players living together creates positive team dynamics that may be overlooked when evaluating the moves individually
- Max Arfsten's best path forward for the USMNT is as a left back where his attacking skills can shine, rather than as a winger where defensive weaknesses become exposed
- Sebastian Berhalter's weakness in tight spaces during possession play represents a significant limitation for a player trying to develop at the highest levels, though a possession-focused team like Middlesbrough offers an opportunity to improve
- Benjamin Cremaschi's position flexibility as a right wing-back in Serie A demonstrates that positional ambiguity can actually be an asset in modern soccer systems
- Ricardo Pepe's failed moves to Fulham on two separate occasions suggest limited alternative suitors exist for him, leaving him stuck at PSV despite apparent frustration
- Younes Musa's talent level compares favorably to several midfielders brought to the World Cup, but he lacks playing time to prove himself and needs consistent minutes at a team where he'll start regularly
Topics
Transcript
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