Transfer business has picked up at New York City FC so this episode is almost entirely talk of roster comings and goings.
The biggest NYCFC move is the first one covered, as hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney, plus producer Andrew Leigh, discuss the new Designated Player striker reportedly heading to New York City FC, Moussa Sylla of FC Schalke 04 in Germany's 2.Bundesliga.
We wonder how Sylla's prolific goal numbers from the second divisions in France and Germany will translate to MLS, speculate how this new-look New York City attack might line up once Sylla is in the fold, and cover how Sylla fits on a roster now maxed out on its Designated Players.
Sylla's NYCFC arrival isn't 100% confirmed just yet, but the club did officially announce the signing of Kai Trewin, the versatile Australian central defender and midfielder from fellow City Football Group side Melbourne City FC. Is Trewin the ideal Justin Haak replacement, and what might his best position be once he settles into life playing under Pascal Jansen?
The first half of the episode is all about new players joining the NYCFC roster, while the second half is about players leaving or getting even further removed from the NYCFC roster. First, there's Julián Fernández heading back to Argentina to join Rosario Central on a year-long loan.
While in past episodes the pod gang was on the fence about whether or not it was wise to part with Fernández, the pending arrival of Sylla and the continued presence of Talles Magno has changed a few minds about the importance of keeping Julián around for another season.
Fernández will join another former highly-regarded U22 Initiative signing, Jovan Mijatović, on the list of loaned-out NYCFC players. Mijatović, though, is about to head to yet another different non-NYCFC team on loan, as he's set to terminate his loan to OH Leuven in Belgium early in order to join Eintracht Braunschweig in the 2.Bundesliga in Germany.
It's been nothing but struggle for Mijatović since his club-record transfer to New York City FC, and we wonder if the two moves made by former U22 Initiative signings, coupled with the different age and career profiles of the recently-signed new players, indicates a shift in transfer philosophy on the part of New York City FC.
The full episode is embedded at the top of this post, or it can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Bleav, or wherever you get podcasts.
