Aaronson and McKenzie Receiving European Attention During MLS is Back Tournament
Philadelphia Union midfielder Brenden Aaronson and center back Mark McKenzie are currently being scouted by some of the top clubs in Europe.
According to Bild, Taylor Twellman, and SportsBuzzer, Aaronson is linked to Hoffenheim, SC Freiburg, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Borussia Monchengladbach. According to Twellman, McKenzie has received major interest from Celtic FC.
At only 19 years-old, Aaronson has displayed his dominance in the MLS is Back Tournament with two assists and tremendous hold-up play to keep offensive attacks alive. He scored his only goal of the season on a turn around shot inside the box in the team’s 3-3 tie against LAFC. It was moments like this where fans and the media immediately noticed his major growth and improvement from 2019 which was his first year in the league and on the first team.
Aaronson has notched 25 starts for the Union and earned his first call-up to the United States national team in October of 2019. Bild nicknamed Aaronson as the “US Kai Havertz”, in comparison to the German superstar who is reportedly closing in on a large transfer deal to Chelsea.
Twellman also stated:
“I am not saying he is at the same level but there are shades of Havertz in his game.”
Following the team’s 2-1 win over Inter Miami, manager Jim Curtin said:
“Overall we’ve challenged him from last season…to get better at making the final ball, to get more goal-dangerous. And he’s really taken the next step. Everybody sees his work rate and ability to run and cover ground and cover distance. If he’s going to make it as a No. 10 at the very highest level, and that’s the ultimate goal for him, he’s going to do it by being a volume player, a player that’s on the ball all the time. We’re going to continue to push Brenden because we see how much talent he has.”
Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner has most likely played a part in these Bundesliga teams garnering interest in Aaronson. Tanner has previously worked for 1860 Munich, Hoffenheim, and Bundesliga side Red Bull Salzburg.
According to Transfermarkt, Aaronson’s market value is currently at $1.43 million.
Several Bundesliga clubs are monitoring Philadelphia Union midfielder Brenden Aaronson. pic.twitter.com/8OZs7PVm84
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) July 21, 2020
In an MLS-wide press conference this past Wednesday, I was able to ask Aaronson – At only 19 years old, what does it mean to you to have had this much success in the tournament so far, and how can you continue to progress in this league?
Aaronson responded: “I think I’ve been doing well and helping the team out a lot but I really want to score a goal and I really want to keep getting assists and just helping the team as best I can. And going into this season I just wanted to keep focusing on that and just keep staying consistent. I think that’s a huge thing for young players, staying consistent, so I’m just going to keep focusing on that and keep trying to generate chances and just do whatever I can.”
McKenzie has made 31 total appearances for Philadelphia as he has played and started in all five games this season, logging 450 minutes on the pitch. That means that McKenzie has been on the field for every minute in this odd 2020 season, and boy has he been an absolute beast on the backline.
All throughout the tournament, McKenzie has constantly thwarted potential attacks from opposing offenses, broken up passes both on the ground and in the air, and has been a vocal leader in the center of the defense for the Boys in Blue.
Celtic FC have been linked with 21 year old USA defender Mark McKenzie, McKenzie has made 29 appearances in the MLS for Philadelphia Union and could be a potential replacement for Simunovic.
I can’t see McKenzie starting for our current side but could be a good squad player ??? pic.twitter.com/5fWls1EQ2c— Celtic Transfer Talk (@CelticTalk1888) July 20, 2020
Photo: Jared Martinez
At 21 years-old, McKenzie has worked his way through the youth national teams as he previously played for the U-18s while also attending camps for the U-16s and U-15s. He was a regular member of the United States Under-20 National Team and played in the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championships which was won by the U.S.
McKenzie wore the armband at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland last year and received his first senior team call-up in the 2019 January camp. McKenzie signed a new contract on January 16, 2020, which goes through 2022, with club options through 2024.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Aaronson and McKenzie, but as for now, it is certainly encouraging to see so much interest from some of the top clubs in the world.
While some fans will want to see both of these players have success in the MLS with the Union before heading overseas, big deals may open up cap space for the U to finally make a splash and acquire a star player that they have been lacking since their birth.
Featured Image: Jared Martinez
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