How can Sam Adekugbe help the Vancouver Whitecaps?

Deadline day

The whole summer Adekugbe was rumoured to go to the Whitecaps, as it was about time the transfer went through. It had been around a month since the rumours were loud. In the morning of deadline day, they signed Richie Laryea. Many Caps supporters thought that was the end of the secondary transfer window for their Vancouver Whitecaps. But then with around 6 hours left in the window, they got the deal done. It was announced by the Whitecaps the morning after. The transfer fee is $1 million for Samuel Adekugbe.

Background/ former VWFC player

When Sam Adekugbe was younger, he joined the Whitecaps BMO Academy around September 2011. His hard work and determination officially signed up to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC first team, on August 28, 2013. With him making appearances here and there for the Caps, only making 22 appearances in around 3 years. 2016 was also the year he got his citizenship, which made him eligible for Canada FC. He got loaned out to Brighton in the Championship at the time, as he scored his first professional goal in the EFL Cup versus Oxford United. Although he only played 3 games, with 2 of those games being in the EFL Cup. He was loaned out again in the 2017/18 season this time to IFK Goteborg in Sweden. During that one season he also made limited appearances, with only 10. But that was good enough for the Caps to sell him for $250k to Valerenga. In the Eliteserien (Norway's league) he made a lot appearances (84), and totaled 4 assists. That was good enough to gain an transfer to Hatayspor in the Turkish League. During his time at the club, he was getting playing time. He made 37 appearances in the 2021/22 season, adding 2 assists to his name. He was then loaned out to Galatasaray, with Adekugbe winning the Super Lig, in Turkey. He then returned to Hatayspor, before returning with the Whitecaps shortly after on August 2, 2023. This is without acknowledging his Canada national team games, as he was a pivotal part to make Canada qualify for the 2022 World Cup. He played all 3 matches in the World Cup for Canada. While making 41 appearances for his country, scoring 1 goal and assisting 4 times.

Thoughts

My initial thoughts on this transfer was this is great! Especially after a transfer window which I thought would be transferless. Gaining two great players is amazing! It's still similar thoughts but a bit less enthusiasm. With him being a former Whitecap I'm hyped for a player who joined their initial club. I think this would be great, but I honestly think a center-midfielder was the position that needed a transfer the most. I trust Luis Martins is a good player, and I think he is starter worthy. I think Adekugbe isn't a gigantic upgrade over the Portuguese at all. It's a slight upgrade, maybe there is more reasoning to this signing. I think Adekugbe will be a good addition to this playoff push Whitecaps team. But I think there was another position where maybe needed more investing. Maybe he can play another position, but I dobut it as he is mainly a left-back. I see a possibility of him playing left wing-back at a 3 at the back, as I think Adekugbe and Laryea can fill in the wing-back spots if a 3 at the back is played by Vanni. I still think this is a decent signing. Maybe the fee is slightly high, as you sold Gressel for $850k and I don't think that Adekugbe is on the same level as Gressel. He signed a contract until 2026, so he is secured for now. It will be interesting to see what kind of role he can give for this team who is aiming for the playoffs.

How can he help?

Now to the question on the title, how can Sam Adekugbe help the Whitecaps? I think his defending helps the team, as I think his tackling is a slight upgrade over Martins. Even though their playstyles are similar, and it's not a big upgrade over Martins in my opinion, the defence has been shaky lately so I think Adekugbe can help with that. I don't think he should make that much overlaping runs when playing left-back, as Laryea I think is the full-back who makes runs forward. Adekugbe can tighten up the defence. At times I think he can be on corner duties, as his crossing abilities are decent. And I think Vanni has more instructions and tactics for him, as he has to prepare for the game August 20, 2023 against the San Jose Earthquakes.