As much as we wished it was different, the European transfer window deadline is hardly as exciting (or frustrating?) as the NHL trade deadline day. Most clubs try to get to their business earlier in January, rather than panic as the clock ticks down. That said, Monday’s deadline was of particular interest from a Canadian perspective, as a handful of players switched clubs.
What these new addresses will mean for the national team remains to be seen, but each move does come with significant upside. I have written in previous columns how the word “minutes” will be the most popular word in pre-World Cup conversations, and each of these transfers suggests just that. Certainly, each transfer will come with the blessing of national team head coach Jesse Marsch.
Let’s rank the four deadline deals, from interesting to eye-catching.
Interesting: Junior Hoilett from Hibernian to Swindon Town.
Desperately needing minutes as his role at Hibs diminishes, it comes as a slight surprise that Hoilett has chosen EFL League 2. At 35 years of age, perhaps it is more a case of League 2 choosing Hoilett, though? Despite his age, Hoilett can still bring important minutes to Canada, but with the midfield depth ever improving, it is fair to say the 68-cap man has a huge fight on his hands to make Marsch’s squad.
Will a promotion fight in England’s lower leagues suffice? Or is this a case of Hoilett keeping one eye on his next chapter in life? After all, manager Ian Holloway runs Swindon Town and was Hoilett’s manager during one of his best stints in professional football at Queens Park Rangers. If this is the end of Hoilett as a Canadian international, he can hold his head high with 17 goals, and although it did take some convincing, he was a dual national who would eventually choose Canada, at a time when several others did not.
Intriguing: Jacen Russell-Rowe from Columbus to Toulouse FC
Having established himself in Major League Soccer with Columbus, Russell-Rowe has thrown himself back on the Canadian radar, following a goal-scoring recall for his country during Canada’s January camp and friendly versus Guatemala, by heading to Ligue 1 and Toulouse.
It is a well-considered risk; heading to France certainly does not guarantee minutes. He will earn all he gets, but a successful run-in to the World Cup, and Jesse Marsch suddenly has a very intriguing name to consider for his squad. His new club is enjoying a strong season, currently sitting eighth in Ligue 1 and is very much in contention for the European spots. It is a big jump for Russell-Rowe, but for a player who felt like an afterthought to Marsch’s plans up until just a few weeks ago, suddenly, he is a fascinating name that is very much in contention for the March window of friendlies.
Relief: Cyle Larin from Feyenoord (on loan from Mallorca) to Southampton
It may feel like a step down, from La Liga to the Eredivisie to the League Championship, but no Canadian player is more desperate for minutes than Larin. His confidence submarined during a disappointing spell at Feyenoord, where he appeared only fifteen times, mainly off the bench, scoring just once. A year ago, Larin was starting for Canada, nowadays he is tipped as being the biggest casualty to miss out on a home World Cup. In comes Southampton to the rescue.
It has been a challenging return to the League Championship for the Saints, having bottomed out in the Premier League last season. Sitting in fourteenth place, Southampton is just seven off the playoff spots, a Premier League return is not impossible, something Larin spoke about when he signed, also calling English football an “itch, he had to scratch.”
The move comes with more pressure than simply winning back his place with Canada. Larin replaces top scorer Adam Armstrong, who has moved to the Premier League (for now at least) with Wolves. Southampton is a big club with a fervent fan base demanding top-flight football. The Brampton man has scored at the top level before, and he has an enormous opportunity to stake his claim to partner Jonathan David, but he has to hit the turf running on England’s south coast.
Eye-catching: Stephen Eustaquio from FC Porto to LAFC
Ok, it isn’t confirmed just yet, after all, transfers to MLS are never simple and straightforward, but once it is completed, we can all probably admit we were blindsided by this one. This is an enormous win for MLS, as Eustaquio would have had European suitors as a respected footballer in his prime. It was no secret that the midfielder was looking for more minutes, having fallen out of favour under Francesco Farioli, but given his standing with the club, it would also have come as little surprise if he had stayed.
Choosing North America as his landing spot says plenty about the rising stock of the league. LAFC is also one of the top teams, not to mention brands. A central midfielder to conjure space for Heung Min Son and Denis Bounga was very much on the shopping list, but to get one with the pedigree of Eustaquio is a masterstroke. Perhaps it was the Canada connection; new head coach Mark Dos Santos, winger Jacob Shaffelburg, midfielder Mathieu Choiniere and winger Ryan Raposo all call L.A. home, add in Eustaquio and Canada south is one for us all to keep a close eye on this season.
Niko Sigur’s much-ballyhooed move to Scotland, with Celtic and Rangers battling for the Hajduk Split midfielder’s signature, came to nothing. Expect this to raise its head again this summer.
While in Italy, Ismael Kone’s superb start to life in Serie A was rewarded when Sassuolo activated the $13 million fee with Marseille for a permanent move.
All in all, an interesting deadline day, if not NHL worthy. Overall, however, if minutes were sought, it appears minutes will be had for Canada’s World Cup hopefuls.
