Yedlin-less Galatasaray got crushed by PSV 5-1. Seems their champions league foray will be short lived this season.
Orlando City's Chris Mueller, whose MLS deal expires this winter, has signed a pre-contract to join a European team after this season, multiple sources say. He and Orlando were in negotiations but did not reach a deal. Expecting him to land in Scotland on a free transfer.— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) July 21, 2021 UPDATE: Orlando City SC Statement Regarding Forward Chris Mueller. Details: https://t.co/kXmv6WZ8P9 pic.twitter.com/LQmBABiKgz— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 21, 2021 Was hoping for Netherlands or Belgium... Scotland isn't that for Dillon Powers / Ian Harkes types who didn't really cut it in MLS...
It has to be Glasgow, hopefully, at least he'll be in the shop window. But by the time his contract ends there he'll be 28.
Reynolds Musah ... let's hope nothing serious In Spain today, Yunus Musah was subbed out of Valencia's friendly in the first half due to an injury. https://t.co/yxg34LZJTw— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) July 21, 2021
That is the absolute bare minimum. Agree with the others, was hoping Netherlands or Belgium as well. If its not Celtic or Rangers, what are you thinking there.
Even though his contract is up with Orlando, he can't move as a free agent in MLS can he? So, he has to go somewhere else. I never thought he was that great, maybe Scotland is the best he can do. We will see, but even Celtic and Rangers are pretty bad these days. But they probably pay better than Sweden or 2.Bund.
It appears he wouldn't be a free agent, as the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement states that players at least 24 years old with 5 years MLS experience are eligible. Mueller is 24 with 4 years MLS experience, so barely misses that cutoff. If I had to guess, I'd think he's pissed that he missed the cutoff by such a small margin--so he can't negotiate across the league for a better deal/better team. I sure hope that it's one of the Old Firm that he's going to, hoping that he'll play well enough to get bought by a bigger club elsewhere. I must say I'm a little surprised that SPL is the best he could get on a free transfer, but eh, within margins given the circumstances. He's still young enough and has improved enough over that last 2 years that he could end up playing for a pretty decent Big 5 team in his prime. I won't hold my breath, though.
Reading the tea leaves a bit more, It’s all a sudden not such conspiracy territory that Orlando would block Mueller just for this reason.
Work permits, passports, etc. All play a role. It could also come down to money as well. Celtic/Rangers are likely to offer more money than other teams, due to them needing talent. It also could be that he was offered the chance to earn a starting role as well. There's also the not having to learn an entirely new language as well. Many factors determine where a player signs. Also.....Orlando is losing a player for nothing. That's poor business on their part, particularly in a budget/parity driven league such as MLS. Teams NEED to maximize all roster mechanisms and resources. It would not come as a shock if Dike ends up being Cyle Larin part deux. Mueller going to Rangers or Celtic would be a good move. Both teams play good football, and he'll get a good platform to be in the English shop window and possibly earn a move to a EFL Championship team.
We still don't know if he's actually signed a contract with Rangers or Celtic...or Dundee or Motherwell. It could be worse/get worse.
if its not Rangers or Celtic he literally would have been better off signing with Sunderland, Ipswich, Charlton, or Sheffield Wednesday. Might as well go for a League One promotion contender. Lets home thats not the case
That's really based on Rangers getting through to the Europa League round of 16 two years in a row and Celtic winning their group in 19/20.
USA international Chris Mueller has signed a pre-contract to join Hibs in January 🟢⚪️Looking forward to welcoming you to Easter Road, @CMueller1662! 😁— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) July 22, 2021
Appears a good competitive move by Mueller. Hibernian finished 3rd in last season's league. And they are in ECL Qualifying, so maybe he'll get a chance to play in Europe.