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Crew general manager Issa Tall was shocked when he first started to hear Daniel Gazdag could be a trade option around a month ago. Tall also knew bringing in the attacking midfielder would be a no-brainer for Columbus.
Columbus announced the acquisition of Gazdag from the Philadelphia Union on Friday, adding a third designated player to the roster after losing striker Cucho Hernandez in the offseason.
The deal was made using MLS' new cash-for-player trade policy, which allowed the Crew to send $4 million to Philadelphia for Gazdag, a very fair deal from Tall's perspective.
"I waited for his agent to mention anything," Tall said. "When his agent told me the number that we ended up paying ... I wanted to make sure with him 'are you sure' because for me, that was even lower than what a team in MLS would pay for him, including ourselves probably. And then when it was confirmed, we went for it and held Philadelphia to that number."
Once Tall was certain that the trade was viable, he went to Crew coach Wilfried Nancy to discuss if Gazdag could fit in the system.
In the past, Tall had been open about Nancy turning down potential additions due to the player missing qualities Nancy maintains are necessary to fit his complex playing style.
What Tall failed to predict was Nancy barley needed any time to to tell him, "Let's do it."
"Obviously Daniel is somebody we know since 2021," Tall said. "You play against him and you watch him score quite often, but I'm like (to Nancy), 'Please watch again just so we make sure he is who you think he is.' And it didn't take long from him to come back and say, 'Yeah.' "
The Crew are working on negotiating an extension for Gazdag, according to Tall. Gazdag's contract is set to expire at the end of 2025, with a club option for 2026.
Gazdag had no plans on leaving Philadelphia at the start of his fifth season with the club.
While Gazdag was willing to finish his career with the Union, he received a similar shock that Tall had when he learned a trade was on the table for Philadelphia.
The Union had entered the season with new coach Bradley Carnell after a decade with Jim Curtain came to an end last offseason.
"That was a little bit of surprise for me, too," Gazdag said. "I can't imagine that this would have happened if Jim was still coach. I think he would have fight for me a lot more."
The 29-year-old proved himself to be a top goal-scorer in the league since joining Philadelphia in 2021, and he finished his time there as the Union's all-time leading goal scorer across all competitions with 59.
While playing for the Union, Gazdag had his fair share of matchups against the Crew, which he considered to be "annoying" as he often found himself having to chase the ball rather than retain it, and was usually on the losing side.
Those traits put Columbus at the top of his list for possible landing spots.
"People might think I say that because I'm here now," Gazdag said. "But I actually told my agent that if there is a team that I would like to go to, that's the Crew."
Described by Tall as a player with a soccer knowledge as strong as his ability to score, Gazdag is expected to slot into multiple different positions on the frontline or midfield.
Gazdag has already been with the Crew for two training sessions and talked to Nancy about the roles he can play within the lineup.
What Gazdag is uncertain about is if he'll be making his Crew debut Sunday at St. Louis, though he feels it could happen.
"I'm ready," Gazdag said. "So, I'm pretty sure I'll be with the squad for the game."
[email protected]
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Issa Tall, Daniel Gazdag talks trade for Crew with Philadelphia Union
Continue reading...
Columbus announced the acquisition of Gazdag from the Philadelphia Union on Friday, adding a third designated player to the roster after losing striker Cucho Hernandez in the offseason.
The deal was made using MLS' new cash-for-player trade policy, which allowed the Crew to send $4 million to Philadelphia for Gazdag, a very fair deal from Tall's perspective.
"I waited for his agent to mention anything," Tall said. "When his agent told me the number that we ended up paying ... I wanted to make sure with him 'are you sure' because for me, that was even lower than what a team in MLS would pay for him, including ourselves probably. And then when it was confirmed, we went for it and held Philadelphia to that number."
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Once Tall was certain that the trade was viable, he went to Crew coach Wilfried Nancy to discuss if Gazdag could fit in the system.
In the past, Tall had been open about Nancy turning down potential additions due to the player missing qualities Nancy maintains are necessary to fit his complex playing style.
What Tall failed to predict was Nancy barley needed any time to to tell him, "Let's do it."
"Obviously Daniel is somebody we know since 2021," Tall said. "You play against him and you watch him score quite often, but I'm like (to Nancy), 'Please watch again just so we make sure he is who you think he is.' And it didn't take long from him to come back and say, 'Yeah.' "
The Crew are working on negotiating an extension for Gazdag, according to Tall. Gazdag's contract is set to expire at the end of 2025, with a club option for 2026.
Daniel Gazdag talks leaving Philadelphia Union, getting started with Columbus Crew
Gazdag had no plans on leaving Philadelphia at the start of his fifth season with the club.
While Gazdag was willing to finish his career with the Union, he received a similar shock that Tall had when he learned a trade was on the table for Philadelphia.
The Union had entered the season with new coach Bradley Carnell after a decade with Jim Curtain came to an end last offseason.
"That was a little bit of surprise for me, too," Gazdag said. "I can't imagine that this would have happened if Jim was still coach. I think he would have fight for me a lot more."
You must be registered for see images attach
The 29-year-old proved himself to be a top goal-scorer in the league since joining Philadelphia in 2021, and he finished his time there as the Union's all-time leading goal scorer across all competitions with 59.
While playing for the Union, Gazdag had his fair share of matchups against the Crew, which he considered to be "annoying" as he often found himself having to chase the ball rather than retain it, and was usually on the losing side.
Those traits put Columbus at the top of his list for possible landing spots.
"People might think I say that because I'm here now," Gazdag said. "But I actually told my agent that if there is a team that I would like to go to, that's the Crew."
Described by Tall as a player with a soccer knowledge as strong as his ability to score, Gazdag is expected to slot into multiple different positions on the frontline or midfield.
Gazdag has already been with the Crew for two training sessions and talked to Nancy about the roles he can play within the lineup.
You must be registered for see images attach
What Gazdag is uncertain about is if he'll be making his Crew debut Sunday at St. Louis, though he feels it could happen.
"I'm ready," Gazdag said. "So, I'm pretty sure I'll be with the squad for the game."
[email protected]
@brimackay15
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Issa Tall, Daniel Gazdag talks trade for Crew with Philadelphia Union
Continue reading...
