Atlanta United potential transfer targets: Goalkeepers and Defenders

Now that Rob and Joe have finished their collection at the avid gamers that would transfer on or keep for subsequent season, it’s time to take a look at who may just are available to interchange the potential outgoing avid gamers. Just just like the “ins and outs” collection, this one can be cut up into 3 portions for each and every phase of the squad. Today, we’ll be going over some applicants to toughen the oh-so-problematic backline that has brought about enthusiasts a lot nervousness this season.

Goalkeepers

Sean Johnson – USA, age 33

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I don’t suppose I truly want to cross in-depth as to why Johnson could be a excellent signing, however I’ll temporarily cross over one of the vital giant issues. He’s began constantly for NYCFC this season and has controlled 14 shutouts. He helped the pigeons win MLS Cup ultimate 12 months and has caps with the USMNT besides. He’s tall, his reflexes are excellent, and he’s arguably the second-best goalkeeper in MLS presently in the back of Andre Blake.

But why am I naming him when NYCFC no doubt gained’t let him cross? Well, Johnson is at the record of avid gamers who can be eligible for loose company on the finish of the 2022 season. While he may no longer essentially be unsatisfied at NYCFC, perhaps he needs a transformation of surroundings – a brand new journey with a unique membership. What higher position to play out the latter a part of your occupation than proper again at house in a stadium that packs out week in, week out? Atlanta no doubt has the assets to make it occur, it’s only a subject of convincing him.

Gastón Gómez – Argentina, age 26

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Looking for a goalkeeper this is huge, fast off his line AND has nice response velocity? Gómez is your guy. He’d been beginning constantly for Racing Club till early August, making 12 appearances and recording 6 blank sheets. He then misplaced his beginning spot and injured his leg quickly after, successfully relegating him to a third-string goalkeeper on his go back. Perhaps the attract of a few taking part in time in a brand new, aggressive league may just enchantment to him. His quite younger age way he’ll ultimate fairly a bit of, so it’s a transfer with excellent price for the membership.

Finn Dahmen – Germany, age 24

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Currently using the bench at FSV Mainz 05, this younger keeper might be open to a transfer if assured a beginning function. He’s handiest performed 5 video games on the first-division stage, however they’ve been towards one of the vital hardest groups in Bundesliga together with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and VfL Wolfsburg. When he performed for Mainz’s moment group, he performed 11 video games and snagged 4 blank sheets. Dahmen additionally has 8 caps for Germany’s U21 squad, with which he competed within the UEFA U-21 Championship, making six appearances and retaining 3 blank sheets.

Because of his loss of taking part in time, his marketplace price has long past down, so getting him is usually a significantly better deal than it appears to be like on paper. Besides, there’s not anything higher for a participant who is caught in a rut than a contemporary get started and some assured mins.

Center Backs

Diego Reyes – Mexico, age 30

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The primary reason why that I’m together with him here’s that Atlanta United has already been loosely connected to him now that he’s making his approach out of Tigres. The 30-year-old defender has 65 appearances with the Mexican National Team and 78 appearances with the Liga MX facet between 2019 and now. A large good thing about bringing him to Atlanta will be the growth in communique on the again as he’ll be taking part in along his former Tigres teammate Juanjo Purata. His spectacular 6’4 peak would additionally create but any other danger within the air on set performs and assist the Five Stripes win extra aerial duels. His enjoy with Mexico’s senior group – which contains 28 friendlies, 15 World Cup qualifiers, 10 Gold Cup appearances, 6 Copa America appearances, 4 Confederations Cup appearances, and one World Cup look in 2014 – and one of the vital best golf equipment in Liga MX will no doubt be crucial asset to solidify Atlanta’s protection.

Federico Gatti – Italy, age 24

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Toronto were given some beautiful darn excellent Italians, so perhaps we will have to, too! Gatti is a bastion within the protection. Coming in at 6’3, he’s were given some excellent peak on him, which can assist Atlanta dominate within the air. He’s additionally bodily sturdy and places in some excellent tackles to cleanly win again ownership. His tempo and passing would additionally come in useful for a group that loves to play out from the again. Last 12 months, he was once at Serie B Frosinone Calcio and helped the group cling 12 blank sheets. This 12 months, he’s using the bench at Juventus, so perhaps a mortgage transfer to MLS would assist him get some taking part in time in a aggressive league. He’s already been known as as much as Italy’s National Team right through the summer time, so he’ll be further motivated to seek out taking part in time and earn extra caps for the Azzurri.

Justen Glad – USA, age 25

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Here’s a pickup that gained’t soak up a world slot and could be beautiful simple for Atlanta to tug off given their assets. Glad has had 25 appearances for Real Salt Lake this season and has helped them stay 9 blank sheets. Coming in at 6’0, he’s the shortest participant in this record, however he nonetheless manages to get within the air beautiful neatly and has contributed 3 targets because of this. He’s neglected 8 video games this season because of accidents and RSL wasn’t in a position to win a unmarried a type of video games. Statistically, the group defends higher with Glad, averaging 2.4 targets conceded with out him in comparison to 0.9 targets conceded with him.

Fortunately, the timing is true for this sort of deal to occur as his contract with RSL runs out on the finish of the season with an choice for any other 12 months. Perhaps if a undeniable group wanting assist of their backline comes knocking with sufficient cash… neatly… all I’m pronouncing is Atlanta could be ‘glad’ to have him at the group. Bad comic story? Yeah, let’s transfer on.

Fullbacks

Franco Escobar – Argentina, age 27

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Does that title sound acquainted? It will have to. Escobar was once a part of the 2018 Atlanta squad that gained MLS Cup, however nostalgia isn’t the one reason why I’ve him right here. He’s going to be eligible free of charge company this low season, so Atlanta may just get him again. He’s nonetheless a top quality proper again and has performed in 18 video games for LAFC this season. If the Five Stripes do come to a decision to transport on from Ronald Hernandez or Brooks Lennon, Escobar is usually a forged acquisition to fill within the hole. We’ve already observed him do neatly in Atlanta and he’s helped LAFC win the Supporter’s Shield. Plus, perhaps getting La Banda again in combination can carry Josef’s spirits and assist him get again in shape. Wishful pondering? Probably, however it’d a minimum of be great to look a well-recognized face from a memorable time within the membership’s historical past.

Anton Tinnerholm – Sweden, age 31

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Here’s any other MLS participant that’s going into loose company on the season’s finish. Tinnerholm arrived at NYCFC in 2018 when Patrick Viera was once nonetheless the top trainer. Tinnerholm has made 132 appearances for the pigeons throughout his 4 years with the group, scoring 9 targets and bagging 23 assists. He’s additionally made 9 appearances for the Swedish nationwide group, most commonly taking part in in qualifiers and friendlies. Even despite the fact that he’s getting up there in age, he’s nonetheless a competent wingback that assaults house neatly and makes excellent ahead runs. If Atlanta strikes temporarily, this is usually a very profitable pickup for them.

Byron Castillo – Ecuador, age 23

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He’s fast, he’s efficient and he’s flexible. Castillo is the best proper again for Atlanta United. He just lately moved to Léon the place he has one function and two assists in 16 appearances for the Mexican giants. He additionally has 12 caps for Ecuador’s National Team and helped them qualify for the approaching World Cup in Qatar. His supreme qualities are his tempo and his defensive acumen. He’s in a position to near down opposing wingers, recuperate the ball and transfer it upfield temporarily. If Gonzalo Pineda needs to institute a high-pressing, rapid build-up roughly gadget, then Castillo is usually a key piece to creating {that a} truth.