#BeslerWatch2014
Call me naïve, but I truly never expected this sort of interest in the Sporting KC center back, regardless of how well he performed in Brazil. European teams simply don’t go after 27 year old MLS veteran defenders. Right…?
That’s exactly where we’re at right now though. According to MLSsoccer.com’s Greg Seltzer, Besler currently has interest from at least ten European sides, including Fulham and Sunderland.
Besler spent four years at Notre Dame, and was drafted 8th overall by the Kansas City Wizards (Now Sporting Kansas City) in the 2009 MLS Super Draft. He’s been selected to the MLS All-Star team each year since 2011 and won defender of the year in 2012.
However, EVERYTHING about him screams MLS lifer. Average height (6’1”), unexceptional speed, four years in college. He even plies his trade in the Midwest, away from the glamour of teams like Seattle or LA.
So how is it that he’s on the verge of a $5 to $6 million dollar transfer?
His standout play in Brazil certainly didn’t hurt. But what is key here is that Besler has been on the radar of a number of Premier League squads for quite some time. He had trial offers from QPR, Southampton and Birmingham City heading into the January Transfer Window in 2013. However he chose to re-sign with KC.
A point worth asking is was he really all that good in Brazil? As I wrote in my US vs. Belgium player ratings, he was victimized by Lokaku on both Belgium goals. He played well throughout the group stage, but he relied heavily on the aerially prowess of Cameron and Gonzalez to cover on set pieces. Not only that, but he provided very little attacking threat. My first thought when John Brooks entered the Ghana match was that it was a huge upgrade offensively. *Pats self on the back*
Have my doubts about Brooks, but he's tall and strong. Excited to see him on our next set piece. #USAvGHA
— Dr. Andrew Marcinko (@Andrew_Marcinko) June 16, 2014
Where his strength lies is consistency and communication. He seems to bring the best out of whoever is paired next to him, including left back Demarcus Beasley, as well as Gonzalez and Cameron in the center. Not only that, but he rarely falls victim to the giveaways and mental lapses that have plagued the two CB’s I just mentioned.
So is he worth it for a team like Fulham? Maybe. The recently relegated Cottagers have high hopes for the English tandem of Dan Burn and Shaun Hutchinson. However, they’re young and inexperienced. Fulham have been forced to become younger and less expensive quickly with the backward move to the English 2nd tier. There’s no reason Besler couldn’t be an impact player for them immediately.
On paper, the move makes a lot of sense as well. A year in the Championship could serve to ease his transition to English football, and it’s worth remembering that “FulhAmerica” fans have a history of treating American players well (Marcus Hahnesmann, Eddie Lewis, Brian McBride, Carlos Bocanegra Clint Dempsey).
Fulham Manager Felix Magath
However, Fulham is a team in disarray. In the EPL since 2001, this year marks their first drop to Division 1 in over a decade. German coach Felix Magath is under fire for his draconian managerial style, as well as the team’s abysmal performance. Recently, released former captain Brede Hangeland had this to say Sky Sports News:
“He’s a very strict manager and his main tool is to try to mentally and physically batter his players and hopefully get some results out of that. Is that the right fit for English football? I don’t think so. I thought rather than help us try to avoid relegation he made things worse”
Sunderland gives Besler the option to head directly to the EPL, although it’s unclear as of now whether they have made an official offer. There would certainly be more competition for a starting spot. 33 year old John O’Shea and 34 year old Wes Brown appear to be the returning starters. While Besler might be unlikely to unseat either on day 1, their ages would open up quite a bit of playing time for the American if he’s able to win the third CB spot.
Of course, there’s always the possibility he chooses to remain at Sporting KC. He’s a family man after all, and was just married in December. Stay tuned to @FootyAmerica and @Yanksarecoming. We should know something in the next week!
P.S. Matt Besler’s wife is aggressively cute. Some guys have it all.
