The fact that he appeared at all today tells me that the interest from Kansas City isn't super serious.
"Kansas City, here I come..." Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem is close to MLS.. "...talks are continuing between Arsenal and MLS outfit Sporting Kansas City over a permanent deal for the 22-year-old." #SportingKC #ForGloryForCity https://t.co/83aWb7Rmlb— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) March 6, 2019
SKC is the one team that plays to the strength of Zelalem. Have to give Vermes credit, his side has been very appealing the way they play out of the back. Not sure where GZ would play in the 4-3-3, Ilie and Gutierrez are really good and espinoza does a lot of the dirty work. SKC are the deepest team in MLS, and after they get a DP 9 this summer, they're my favorite to win supporters shield and MLS cup.
They got bossed vs LAFC, but I don't disagree w/ your overall assessment of SKC. I actually think they could win the shield w/ Nemeth at the 9. But I have a hard time seeing where Zelalem fits into the picture... Croizet, Espinoza, Gutierrez, Rowe, Ilie, Busio all play centrally. Does Zelalem have enough bite to play the 6 (Ilie)? Can he be the workhorse (Espinoza)? The playmaker (Gutierrez)? Is he better option off the bench than Croizet or Rowe? I don't know if I see it.
I would say the kid would do well to drop down a few levels in English football, lock down a starting role, play in 40 games as the starting central pivot and work his way back up if possible. MLS is a win now league. Zelalem is not a win now player at this point.
Somehow I don't thing Zelalem is the type of footballer for the soccer played a few levels down in England.
Well he played eight times for Venlo in the Eerste Divisie, in the season in which they got promoted. He was terrible though.
So, KC thinks he is better than Busio? Busio has a good engine and can play both sides of the ball.If anything, KC needed a destroyer that can pass. Zelalem is an excellent passer but his engine is weak and can't defend.
I see him more as potentially a better version of Kuzain than a better version of Busio. I don't think Zelalem and Busio are all that similar. Busio is a player who is more proactive. He has a way of making things happen. Zelalem is a poor man's Darlington Nagbe.
Getting word @SportingKC, @Arsenal and Gedion Zelalem have struck a deal, and the U.S. youth intl will arrive in Kansas City on Sunday.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) March 9, 2019 Shame it never worked out at Arsenal. Here's to a brighter future.
Stay healthy, work your way into the rotation, make the January 2020 roster I'd be excited with a progression like that
Not overly optimistic, but GZ has great touch and can pass. I hope he can translate his game into MLS success. He has so much talent, it would be great to see him find a way to make it useful to a team.
No doubt. I’m with you. Every time I watch him in the context of a match, I’m impressed. At least, I was like 3 years ago. Let’s hope he brings it all together. He’s easily one of the most skilled American youths I’ve seen play. It would speak well for a whole lot of people if he can pull the renaissance.
Unless he signs a contract extension (unlikely), it's not going to be a loan. He's out of contract in June.
Zelalem is a poor man's Darlington Nagbe. Everyone falls in love with the technique and smoothness on the ball, but he can't defend and is super passive going forward. The local reports in KC are that they will try to turn him into a DM. That makes sense and is a good move for his career. Vermes has as good a shot at turning GZ into a solid defender as any manager. But nobody can really teach creativity and a killer instinct.