New York City FC and Sporting KC are set to address areas of needs by swapping a pair of 2015 first round picks.
Sources tell SBI that NYCFC is set to send Khiry Shelton to Sporting KC in exchange for fullback Saad Abdul-Salaam.
Shelton was originally drafted by NYCFC second overall in 2015, serving as the club’s first ever draft pick. After injuries limited his rookie season, Shelton fired four goals while providing nine assists in 2016. The 2017 season saw a dip in playing time, producing just three starts from 15 appearances.
Abdul-Salaam, meanwhile, was also a big piece of Sporting KC’s 2016 campaign, featuring 30 times while making 26 starts at the fullback position. Like Shelton, the 26-year-old defender saw playing time dip in 2017 as he made just 12 appearances.
With the move, Sporting KC adds a talented, athletic winger to an already-young attack. NYCFC, on the other hand, addresses the right back position, which was manned by RJ Allen and Ethan White in 2017.
Since I’m not in the NYC area, I only see their games that are nationally televised. Based on what I’ve seen, I have this feeling that Shelton is a player who could be really valuable if he gets opportunities.
Shelton could be really, really, REALLY good, IMHO.
Say this about Veira: he doesn’t like dribblers and creative players. He wants passers who get the ball off their foot.
Shelton kind of reminds me of those throwback false-9 types you don’t see a ton of anymore. He’s not Zlatan Ibrahimovic or former France/Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka but he’s got similar basic attributes…this big, strong, very technical striker who likes to come from deeper-lying positions more than bullying or lurking in the box waiting to be served. He didn’t fit in NYCFC – where the impetus is keep the ball circulating, always – but he might fit a lot better in SKC’s 4-3-3 as a winger/outside forward where they let – even encourage – their wingers to get on the ball and drive, especially if Vermes lets him tuck inside and drive up the gut and my presumption is, he certainly will.
Could be a good fit.
Oh boy, you’re in for a world of disappointment then.
I like it!
Might be win-win there