Julian Gressel departs Vancouver

Trade

It was announced this afternoon that Julian Gressel will be traded to the Columbus Crew and $850k will be the return, the full scope will be $550k guaranteed allocation, $300k conditional, $125k TAM and $651,250 extra budget space. Gressel will not be available tomorrow vs Club Leon. While Vanni and Axel Schuster will figure out what to do with the cash. This deal is officially finalised by both sides.

Gressel’s time with Whitecaps

It was on July 15, 2022 last year where Gressel got traded from D.C United to the Whitecaps. Now on July 20, 2023 Julian Gressel will head to the airport again and meet his new club the Columbus Crew. Now let’s revisit the time Julian Gressel had in Vancouver. 38 appearances, 7 goals, 9 assists, 16 goal contributions. Every game it felt like he had such a vital impact on the Caps. His debut was on July 23, 2022 in a loss at home against the Chicago Fire. Then in the crucial 2022 Canadian Championship Final in penalties Gressel barely squeezed it past Bono as Bono (Toronto’s keeper) got fingertips to it but it wasn’t enough to save Gresselmaina’s penalty that would lead him to winning his first ever Whitecaps trophy. Gressel scored his first goal for the Whitecaps away from home against Real Salt Lake with a header, also was the first time he scored using his head in his professional career thus far. Fast forward to that incredible volley vs Seattle in a Cascadia derby in BC Place, that’s when he introduced himself to Vancouver and the Southsiders. Was a key presence after the arrival putting in crosses and through balls which created some dangerous chances at his time in Vancouver. This season though was when he stepped up his game. Got an assist in both of the first two games of the season. Then played in the Concacaf Champions league and got an assist against Real Espana. Scoring his first goal of the season against Montreal. Again having a real impact as he has adapted to a centre-mid role while making passes and taking good shots and scoring a lot of times. Vancouver was starting to enjoy his presence and impact with him being a joyful person always seen greeting the Southsiders. On April 8, 2023 even if Gressel didn’t score it was a world class performance against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers Gressel got an assist. And he was always looking for passes and long distance efforts that sadly didn’t get past the Portland keeper. Again on May 31, 2023 versus the Houston Dynamo scoring a brace which is the most goals in a game he scored in a Whitecaps uniform. In the 2023 Canadian Championship in BC Place Gressel lofted a ball through to Brian White who scored to give Gressel his last ever Whitecaps goal contribution. Winning his 2nd and last silverware as a Whitecap. After that he went on a Gold Cup tour and recently returned to play against the Galaxy haad some interesting moments but nobody was anticipating that was the last game that Gressel will play for the Whitecaps. Fun fact: in the 370 days Gressel was a part of the Whitecaps, when he was in the lineup as a starter or on the bench they've never won an MLS away game.

Reason

Julian Gressel is a big family guy so I think Gressel wouldn’t re-sign here as his contract was going to run up after this 2023 season and he was most likely to be leaving as he wants to be in the east coast where most of his family is. I believe the Whitecaps had at least tried to negotiate the contract extension with Gressel, it is rumoured that he will be earning less for Columbus than what Vancouver is offering him. That seems to be the main reason why Gressel didn’t want to re-sign here in Vancouver, he also on June 26, 2023 had an 2nd baby that may also be the reason they want to get closer to the family in the east coast. While this may have been a situation that the Whitecaps could’ve avoided, as Gressel possibly wouldn’t have minded staying in Vancouver if that means the wages are good. Like around 2 million per year might’ve convinced Julian Gressel to stick aboard. Or possibly he could’ve played until the end of the season, make a deep playoff run then re-sign him. But the Caps decided to get what you can get before he leaves for nothing.

What’s next

This is a tremendous opportunity for Ali Ahmed, who recently played for Canada in the Gold Cup winning the Player Of The Match in the first game vs Guadeloupe in his first ever appearance for Canada FC. The games for Whitecaps this season were better than expected. In the MLS, Canadian Championship and the Concacaf Champions League he combined for 15 games, some as a sub, some as a starter. 2 goals and an assist for Ali Ahmed for the Whitecaps this season. He is only 22 he for sure has the talent to be a starting midfielder in fact he might already have been a starting midfielder prior to the injury vs Pacific. While the Vancouver Whitecaps are competing for a playoff spot, a player as impactful as Julian Gressel will make the probability of making the playoffs lower. As only being in 7th place with that frightening 7 game road trip after the break without arguably your second best player will be extremely difficult. Maybe a potential signing or hopefully a few signings this window for the Caps. A player who has strongly been rumoured is Sam Adekudge, the money or GAM from Gressel as they call it might be the money they use for Sam Adekudge. You might be wondering why transfer Gressel to buy Adekudge? They need to spend that money if they want to make a serious playoff run. The Whitecaps in the MLS era have only made the conference semifinals once in 11 years. Adekudge is a left back who might replace Martins. This transfer isn’t confirmed or official, it’s just rumours but the rumours seem pretty strong. This team still has a lot of midfield depth including captain Russell Teibert. We can always rely on him for leadership and he is overhated by some of the Whitecaps fans. We have Caicedo who can possibly play there as a centre mid. Or you can even put Ryan Gauld into centre mid if needed. A lot of options for Vancouver.

Grade

Vancouver: C

When you’re trading one of your best players in Julian Gressel the grade must not be high. Especially if it’s a player who can always step up in big moments to do set pieces like free kicks and corners, and can nail crosses right where he wants. And can play through balls to perfection at times. I understand you may be forced into this position but this is a big loss for the Whitecaps.

Columbus: A+

You’re perfecting your midfield by adding Gressel, as you have two talented midfielders already in Aidan Morris, an attacking midfielder in Lucas Zelarayan, Nagbi as well as a solid midfielder. As a team who plays a 3-4-1-2 Gressel can play on the right flank as a right wingback or a right midfielder or as a central midfielder. This transfer might push Columbus over the top as they’re 6th right now kinda in the same situation as the Vancouver Whitecaps but better. I believe Julian Gressel will help this Columbus Crew team to make a deep playoff run.