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Atlanta United have prepared for the upcoming MLS season by reacquiring a familiar face recently: English right back Anton Walkes.
MLS Soccer explains how the 22-year-old defender has signed back on at the Mercedes Benz park, having been on the books of English League One side Portsmouth.
He previously played for the Five Stripes on loan back in 2017, but returned to his parent club Tottenham Hotspur, who loaned him to Portsmouth before selling him.
Anton Walkes Joins Atlanta United For 2020 Season
Portsmouth couldn’t make use of the defender as they hunted promotion from their division. His transfer has divided fans at Fratton Park.
Throughout this season, bwin states that Portsmouth have had problems at the back making Walkes’ transfer all the more baffling for some. However, journalist Mark Catlin explained how letting him leave made sense as he wanted to play regular soccer.
Portsmouth’s loss is Atlanta’s gain ahead of the new season in which they’re hoping to push on in the Eastern Conference.
Capturing Walkes represents something of a coup for Atlanta. His brief stay back in 2017 was a success and he slotted in comfortably at right back during that time. Having finished second in the Eastern Conference they lost in the semi-final of the MLS Cup, but as they’re boasting crowds in excess of their rivals, there is a feeling they could be on the cusp of further success. So, what will Walkes bring to add to that hope?
Manager Frank de Boer is an experienced European soccer player and coach who played in defense himself so he knows the modern game, and how players at the back also need to be able to attack. On the right side of Atlanta’s defense last year was Franco Escobar and whilst he was solid enough at times, he doesn’t have the same attacking attributes as Walkes.
The Englishman is more of a wing back, able to break down the flank at great speed and help the attack.
The Five Stripes played a variation of three at the back last season which is only effective if the full backs overlap and add value to the attack. Julian Gressel can operate as a winger, but with Walkes being added to the roster it gives De Boer far more flexibility in his approach.
Signing a young and exciting player from a major European country is also a big bonus for Atlanta in terms of further recruitment.
The fact Walkes, a player likely coveted by several clubs in his own domestic league, chose to join is a real boost.
That’s been further developed by Manchester United taking Efrain Morales on trial recently. If Atlanta is seen as a club fit for developing talent that can excel on the world stage, they’re more likely to be trusted with loan players from big European clubs.
De Boer’s side finished third overall in the MLS last year and if they’re to catch up with New York City and Los Angeles FC, they’ll need to be able to tap into whatever vein of talent they can. Luring Walkes Stateside is a huge step towards asserting themselves as one of the top MLS sides in the eyes of the soccer world.
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Photo credit: Eric Jason Cross / Wikipedia