That One Team That Didn't Play About Julian Gressel
The German-American signs for Inter Miami after weeks of negotiations.
(Photo credit: Columbus Crew, Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
Inter Miami has a gem in Julian Gressel.
The 30-year-old midfielder/wing-back was officially announced as an IMCF player today, much to the delight of anxious Miami fans.
Gressel, just fresh off of winning an MLS Cup with the Columbus Crew, had this to say about his switch to South Florida:
“I’m thrilled to be joining such an ambitious organization as Inter Miami for this new chapter in my career. I’m ready to get to work and use my experience in this league to help my new teammates and this great Club achieve its dream of winning more titles.”
Miami has been after the German-American since the start of free agency, with The Athletic reporting that the Herons were always in pole position to land him.
With just a week until Inter Miami flies to El Salvador to play in its first pre-season game of the year, many hope that Gressel can quickly adapt to the squad.
Though the ex-Atlanta United man may not be on the field for Miami yet, I suppose now is the time to break down Gressel’s playing style, versatility, and why Inter Miami was so keen on acquiring his services.
A Strategic Move Set To Elevate Miami’s Roster
Gressel is a player that Miami needed in its squad.
With the wing-back on the team, the South Florida side now has an extraordinarily adaptable and hardworking teammate who will elevate the team’s wings and, potentially, midfield.
During his time with the Crew, Gressel was mainly deployed as a right wing-back, sharing minutes with the brilliant Mohamed Farsi.
But, I want to take a look at the German-American’s period with the Vancouver Whitecaps, where I believe his talents and flexibility were most on display.
Under manager Vanni Sartini, Gressel switched between playing as a box-to-box midfielder and a right-wing-back.
Using the video example below, it’s evident that the 30-year-old excels at finding open spaces to either get a cross-off or drive the ball into a dangerous area:
Gressel's exceptional skill at finding even the smallest pockets of space to send in crosses is truly remarkable.
With Luis Suárez and a 6’2” Leo Campana on the roster, Miami has two forwards who will excel in the box with the crossing ability that Gressel possesses.
Furthermore, based on his FBref’s statistics, the 30-year-old is in the top percentage of almost every attacking category as a midfielder.
Although Gregore will probably take care of the defensive duties in the center of the park, Gressel's strengths include accurate passing, tactical knowledge, vision, creativity, and making late attacking runs in the final third:
Okay, But Where Will He Play?
Depending on Tata Martino’s tactics…anywhere!
Martino mentioned during the latter half of last season that Miami could switch to a 3-5-2. But, with the center-back situation in flux, it’s entirely possible that the Herons could acquire a defender who is comfortable playing in a flat-back four, thus making the right wing-back option on the roster obsolete.
Nevertheless, Gressel can play as a wide midfielder, in central midfield, and as a wing-back.
Though many fans believe that he’d be a like-for-like switch for DeAndre Yedlin, I think you can make the argument that Gressel could start in midfield, all while being a rotation option at right back.
Ultimately, Gressel is a Swiss army knife. He can fill in multiple positions in a starting eleven and is extremely flexible.
Miami will be better on the pitch wherever he lines up.