Photo: Jim Stapp
We know MLS a decent standard of soccer but many worldwide in Europe see the league as “Football’s” inferior cousin. That doesn’t stop them splashing out on our players though.
The MLS still does not involve so much cash as the NBA betting basketball league, but it is growing in quality and money will eventually flow in and out. Here we look at the five biggest departures from the MLS.
Number 5. Matt Miazga, $5m
Miazga left New York Red Bulls back in 2016 to sign for Chelsea, who were under the guidance of Guus Hiddink. Just a few months after signing he made his senior bow for the Blues playing 90 minutes alongside Branislav Ivanovic when John Terry and Gary Cahill were missing as Chelsea brushed Aston Villa aside 4-0. The next game saw him play 45 minutes but that was his last appearance for the club.
He is still on the books at Stamford Bridge though and has racked up over 100 appearances in successful loan spells in Holland and the English Championship. With Frank Lampard giving younger players a chance at the club, this summer could be make or break for the 24 year old’s Chelsea career.
Number 4. Jozy Altidore, $10m
Altidore is another who left New York to try his hand at soccer in Europe when he moved to Spanish side Villarreal in 2008. The powerful front man is a goal machine in the US – both domestically and for the national side – but despite spending time with five European sides he only found the net on a regular basis for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie, which is hardly the pinnacle of their soccer.
Many people feel Altidore made the move too soon given he was just 18 but he had plenty of bites of the cherry without making the desired impact. Mind you, he’s still bagging goals with Toronto so maybe he’s just a home bird.
Number 3. Zack Steffen, $10m
When Steffen agreed to join Man City from Columbus Crew back in late 2018 many raised an eyebrow at his decision. City’s number one keeper is pretty blatant with Ederson widely regarded among the best keepers in the world. Steffen is no mug between the sticks but time and time again you see good goalkeepers waste their careers warming the bench. He finished the MLS season before heading to England but was quickly shipped out on loan.
He’s spent the campaign with Fortuna Dusseldorf in Germany’s top flight but a niggling knee has seen him miss a few matches and he’s only managed two clean sheets in 18 appearances with Fortuna facing relegation. Still, he’s made an impression on Pep Guardiola, who is keen to utilize him among his squad next season. Recent news of a new knee injury might force City into the market for another keeper though. That would be bad news for the US first choice stopper.
Number 2. Alphonso Davies, $22m
Davies had already etched his name into the MLS history books when he made his league debut at just 15 years old – making him the first player born in the 2000’s to appear in the division – before signing for Bayern Munich in January 2019. He wasted no time in making himself known in Germany either as he quickly made his Bundesliga debut and he netted his first goal and assist before the 2018/19 season was out.
The Canadian can play on the left wing but he has established himself at full back and looks set to stay there. He’s now 19 and already everything suggests that the Canada international will be a mainstay at Europe’s top table for many years to come.
Number 1. Miguel Almiron, $27m
Almiron became the MLS’ biggest ever export when he agreed to join Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United last January. The Toon Army warmed to him quickly with his hunger to get on the ball greatly appreciated but goals and assists were hardly flowing. Well, they weren’t flowing at all.
The Paraguay international continued to show off his technical qualities though and the end product started to come this season with his stats standing at one assist and six goals prior to the covid-19 suspension.
He’s now seen as Newcastle’s star player and they face a fight to keep him with Arsenal rumored to be monitoring his situation. If that gossip turns into concrete interest, then in all likelihood Almiron picks to leave Newcastle in favor of the Gunners. It is likely that Newcastle ships him away if the Arab takeover becomes real.
There you have it, the five biggest transfer fees paid for MLS talent – most of whom have proven to be more than good enough to ply their trade in Europe.
