Earlier this week I was combing the internet catching up on the headlines from around Major League Soccer. Tuesday was a busy news cycle, particularly with the main story of MLS referees ratifying a new collective bargaining agreement and making their return this weekend. The other big story came from The Athletic in which they spoke about LAFC potentially acquiring the services of striker Olivier Giroud this summer when his contract from A.C. Milan expires.

This got me thinking.

What aging European star would make sense for a jump to the Columbus Crew? The Black & Gold aren’t ones for making big splashes for ex-Premier League stars or international sensations. Frankly, it wouldn’t make sense for them to complete such a crazy transaction given the team’s proven track record under head coach Wilfred Nancy, but what if?

So I did as any rational human would do and took to Twitter to ask for opinions from the followers of the Massive Report account. We got some pretty fun and serviceable results. Let’s go through some of my favorites and why they would make sense for the Black & Gold.

Luka Modric

Credit to Bone & Beam United co-host Brandon Beam for assisting Jonathan “T-Bone” Smith by forwarding this suggestion to us. When I saw this come across my notifications I thought “what a good fit.”

Modric has enjoyed a historic career with Real Madrid. The 38-year-old Croatian international has claimed multiple honors including the 2018 Ballon d’Or, 2018 FIFA Best Male Player, and being named the UEFA Best Player in Europe. He also has multiple Champions League, Club World Cups, and La Liga titles to his credit. He boasts a winning pedigree by being coached by some of the best minds in the game and could pass much of that information along, serving as a role model for someone like Diego Rossi in training.

Rossi likely wouldn’t be the only Crew player who would learn a tip or trick. Darlington Nagbe and Aidan Morris would further strengthen their already top-notch midfield play and continue the Black & Gold’s ability to dominate within the center of the park.

Oh, and his contract reportedly expires in June 2024.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

The Columbus Crew are no strangers to harnessing the talent of Armenian soccer players and former Manchester United midfielder and current Inter Milan man Henrikh Mkhitaryan fits the bill. The 35-year-old has bounced around Europe for a few years before settling in with Inter and hitting his stride. Mkhitaryan is nearing his 30th appearance with the club this season, compiling two goals and nine assists.

He’s made a career out of playing in the central midfield but can also serve as an attacking midfielder or second striker. Obviously not a long-term solution, but given the current predicament that the Crew is experiencing with an injury to Christian Ramirez that likely will see the striker miss the next several matches, depth as we have learned, isn’t a bad thing.

Should the Armenian make the jump to the States, it would likely cost the Black & Gold approximately $6.5 million according to TransferMarkt.

Toby Alderweireld

We’ve covered forwards and midfielders but what about the defense? Belgian international and former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld would be a superb fit along the Crew backline. After his time in England, Alderweireld tried his luck in Qatar before settling down back in his native Belgium with Royal Antwerp.

The 6′ 2″ defender compliments Rudy Camacho or serves as a great substitute for the Frenchmen in the case of injury. He would provide leadership to an already stout backline and help limit some of the most potent attackers that Major League Soccer has to offer. Not to mention Alderweireld would provide an aerial presence on set pieces. So far this season he has collected three goals and four assists.

Honorable Mentions

Below are players that were mentioned and are thought provoking as to how they would fit within the Crew system.

• Chris Smalling
• Marco Reus
• Jordan Henderson
• Antoine Griezmann
• Wilfried Zaha
• Sergio Ramos
• Mario Gotze
• Thomas Muller
• Jesse Lingard
• Alexandre Lacazette

Do these players fit your mold of a “bridge player” or mentor for the youth of the Crew? Let us know!