ASN: Robinson nears Sheffield United transfer, Harkes & Durkin win, & extra

Antonee Robinson appears to be like set for his huge transfer to a high league as he nears a cope with Sheffield United. Elsewhere, Chris Durkin and Ian Harkes are each off to robust begins to the season whereas Weston McKennie may need a brand new residence quickly. Lastly, Aron Johannsson scored, suffered a minor harm, and needs to be again quickly. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta reviews. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
August 10, 2020
7:45 AM

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THE WEEKEND for Individuals overseas wrapped up and for probably the most half, it was much more concerned than traditional – regardless of all the main European leagues being full. The switch window appears to be like as if will probably be fairly energetic and the primary motion for an American throughout the high leagues appears to be like to be nearing completion.

On high of that, the seasons are beginning in some leagues, the brand new Champions League draw for the qualifying levels is full, and different Individuals are closely concerned in preseason.

First, a serious tip of the hat has to go to U.S. U-20 winger Konrad de la Fuente who made the bench for Barcelona for Saturday’s Champions League Spherical of 16 second leg towards Napoli. Barcelona ended up successful 3-1 (4-2 on combination) however de la Fuente didn’t play. Nonetheless, de la Fuente turned the primary ever American participant to make the matchday roster for Barcelona.

The Miami-born de la Fuente was considered one of seven gamers from Barcelona B to be included on the roster and Barcelona B just lately superior to the ultimate of the promotional playoffs within the third tier the place it got here up simply brief. Nonetheless, de la Fuente has impressed mightily for the second division aspect. Whereas it’s powerful state of affairs to learn simply how extremely he’s rated given the harm issues plaguing the primary workforce, he’s clearly a really promising participant and it was a memorable event for the 2019 U-20 World Cup veteran.

Robinson nears Sheffield United transfer

ASN just lately had an prolonged characteristic on Antonee Robinson, 22, the place he talked about his previous season and the upcoming switch window. With Wigan’s relegation affirmed within the appeals courtroom (regardless of its robust efficiency on the sector), it was all the time possible Robinson was going to be on the transfer. As a younger and quick left again, he was probably the most sell-able asset. Plus, his contract known as for an inexpensive price-tag of £1.5 because of the relegation.

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) July 29, 2020

On Friday, Sky Sports activities reported that Robinson was nearing a deal to Sheffield United which finishd ninth within the Premier League final season. Per the report from Sky, Wigan accepted a bid from Sheffield United for £2 million and there have been different Premier League golf equipment – one being West Ham United.

All that continues to be to finish the deal is finalizing private phrases and clearing a medical (which is the place his transfer to AC Milan fell by means of in January). However Robinson is now match and was considered one of Wigan’s high performers down the stretch the place it misplaced simply as soon as in its final 15 video games.

One fast takeaway can be that it might be a giant step up for Robinson however it might be for a membership the place the competitors is tough however cheap – not like at AC Milan. Robinson desires to play however must be out Irish worldwide Enda Stevens, 30, for the left again job to see the sector. In March, Stevens signed a contract extension with Sheffield United by means of 2023. Stevens is an effective participant and was just lately nominated for the FAI Participant of the Season however Robinson has extra potential offensively.

However going to a Premier League will all the time imply extra competitors for any participant. However Sheffield United is a workforce that had reasonable possibilities for Europe this yr and that would be the purpose subsequent season. Robinson confirmed great development in his recreation final season. He wasn’t merely the athletic fullback who may bomb ahead, he additionally showcased much more defensive capabilities than prior to now and he’s now battle examined having been concerned in three straight relegation battles.

It’d take a while, however Robinson has expertise to see the sector often within the Premier League.

Johannsson scores for Hammarby

Aron Johannsson, 29, has had a profession tormented by harm and that’s partly why he’s with Hammarby and never Werder Bremen. The Alabama-born, Icelandic-raised ahead signed for Hammarby final yr and is now a beginning ahead when wholesome.

On Sunday, Hammarby hosted Djurgardens and Johannsson scored his first Allvenskan purpose within the fourth minute (he had two within the Swedish Cup this yr). However then within the twenty first minute, Johannsson was subbed out with an harm.

Fortuitously, by means of twitter, Johannsson was capable of tackle his standing and he revealed this harm is certainly minor. Right here is the purpose and the replace.

Small deadleg Brian, shall be up and operating very quickly ????????

— Aron Jóhannsson (@aronjo20) August 9, 2020

Durkin & St. Truiden win opener

It was a bizarre opening weekend Belgium’s Jupiler League as the highest two groups from 2019/2020, Membership Brugge and Gent, each misplaced. Gent’s loss got here by the hands of a 2-1 defeat by the hands of St. Truiden.

After spending the second half of final season there on mortgage from DC United, Chris Durkin accomplished a switch to the membership and went a full 90 within the huge win over the 2019/20 runner’s up.

Some notes from Durkin’s efficiency:

90 minutes
43 touches
75% passing (21/28)
2/4 correct in lengthy balls

For a membership that completed twelfth within the 16-team league final season, this was a giant begin to the season.

Efford makes top-flight debut

Staying within the Belgian high flight, Georgia native Joe Efford, 23, made his first look for Waasland-Beveren and earned an help within the membership’s season opener, a 3-1 win over Kortrijk. Efford performed a full 90 and his help got here in stoppage time to finish the scoring.

Efford has bounced round Europe in his profession, within the second tier of Greece after beginning in Romania. Now he’s on Waasland-Beveren, which is in Belgium’s high flight regardless of ending 2019/20 in final place. The membership prevented relegation due to a lawsuit over the shortened COVID-19 season.

Harkes & Dundee United win

Issues are wanting nice for Ian Harkes proper now. Final season he helped Dundee United to promotion and was named to the Scottish Championship workforce of the season. Within the opening weekend, a 1-1 with St. Johnstone, he was named to the Premiership workforce of the week.

Over the weekend, Dundee United defeated Motherwell 1-0 on the street and Harkes began and performed 77 minutes. He was changed by fellow American Dillon Powers who made his Premiership debut when he helped see out the win.

For Harkes, issues are trending up after a tough ending to his time with DC United.

Mckennie on the transfer?

It’s wanting not possible that Weston McKennie will return to Schalke and his title is being linked to quite a few reviews throughout Europe. At first it was Everton, Hertha BSC, and Southampton. Now L’Equipe reviews that AS Monaco is about to enter the market.

Schalke’s horrible monetary state of affairs possible means the membership is keen to promote however will such eagerness enable them to match their goal quantity of reportedly €25 million.

The switch window is usually stuffed with nonsense reporting however it’s pretty apparent that McKennie has to depart. Schalke is a low-point and McKennie is their most sellable asset. He’s a 21-year previous midfielder who’s has a really athletic and bodily construct, he generally is a very efficient defensive participant and he has the power to make some game-changing passes. He additionally has Champions League expertise and began for the membership when it completed second within the Bundesliga.