Can Charlotte FC cover the gap if Adilson Malanda is transferred?
By Brian Maurer
Charlotte FC's Adilson Malanda (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)
Word is out on the ability of Charlotte FC's young center-back Adilson Malanda (23). The Frenchman's notoriety was greatly increased after the success Charlotte's defense had this year, and the team ended with 51 points good for fifth in the Eastern Conference. Now, it seems suitors could be calling.
Matt Doyle from MLSSoccer.com said in his recent review of Charlotte's season that Malanda would be in the discussion for Defender of the Year next season if he continues to progress, "or sold for eight figures."
A recent report mentioned that French club Saint-Étienne is interested in Malanda. This is likely just the first of many rumored inquiries for the center-back's services. How prepared is Charlotte for the possibility that Malanda leaves this winter?
Possible in-house changes
Charlotte FC is probably more equipped to handle Malanda leaving than any other position at the moment. They have a veteran USMNT player in Tim Ream who can shift over into his more natural left center-back role, while Andrew Privett shifts to right center-back. This would give Jere Uronen a chance to slot back into his left-back role, a position he lost to Ream at the end of 2024.
Another feasible option is Djibril Diani, who is typically a defensive midfielder but who can also fill the role of left center-back. This could be an option if Dean Smith prefers to keep Tim Ream out left.
Joao Pedro is also an option. He was filling in as Uronen's left-back replacement for most of 2024, but he was converting to left-back from left center-back. If Smith is trying to find an in-house solution that keeps Ream out left and Diani in the midfield then Pedro could become the next man up at center-back.
MLS Free Agency could also provide added depth or a starter
Charlotte FC has multiple directions they can take already on their roster if Malanda is indeed transferred this winter. This would give them plenty of options on how they want to pursue filling the void left by the French center-back. One option is to add a little bit of veteran depth to provide some support if Smith opts to make adjustments to his starting backline with players he currently has available.
There are several veteran options available in free agency and that number looks like it could easily grow as more teams' roster decisions are reported. Here is a list of a few veteran center-backs that could be added as depth to fill in behind Charlotte's starting backline if Malanda is sold:
Matt Hedges - Austin FC
Matt Hedges (34) had his option declined with Austin FC as they look to free up cap space for their roster restructuring this winter. This opens the door for a club like Charlotte to nab an MLS veteran. Hedges has played in MLS since 2012 and has well over 300 MLS appearances in his career.
Wyatt Omsberg - Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire is still in discussions with Wyatt Omsberg (29). If he hits free agency he becomes another veteran depth option. Nothing seriously exciting about making this type of move outside of him being a veteran option to provide depth if Malanda is indeed sold.
Andreu Fontas - Sporting KC
Andreu Fontas (35) is another veteran who is hitting free agency after his contract expired with Kansas City. He was a starter there for several years previously so he could fill a depth role for the immediate future depending on his recovery from an injury near the end of the 2024 season.
Shane O'Neill - Toronto FC
Toronto FC declined their option on a couple of center-backs, Shane O'Neill (27) being one of them. He's become a bit of an MLS journeyman as he may be looking for his fourth MLS club since 2018. O'Neill is far younger than many of the other free agent center-back options that will be available this window so he could be a depth option for a few years to come and could see himself competing for a starting role after a player like Tim Ream retires.
Aime Mabika - Toronto FC
Toronto's other center-back whose option they declined is an interesting candidate. Aime Mabika (26) is not a free agent so he will likely be entering the Re-Entry Draft in December. If available, he could be brought in as a more youthful depth piece that could develop into a starter. It's a similar type of move and risk that Charlotte took when signing Derrick Jones in 2022. This is the type of move that spends low-risk money on the chance that you might hit on a starter in his prime that other teams previously weren't able to develop.
Gabriele Corbo - CF Montreal
CF Montreal announced this past week that Corbo (24) will have his option declined. He made 18 starts this past season and like Mabika has not had enough MLS service to be a free agent. He could be another interesting candidate this winter.
Other potential options
Most MLS clubs still have not announced their end-of-year roster decisions so there are still several potential starting-caliber center-backs that could be available in free agency this winter. Here is a list of some other names that could be free agents and become a replacement for Malanda in Charlotte:
Lalas Abubakar - Colorado Rapids
Nick Hagglund - FC Cincinnati
Miles Robinson - FC Cincinnati
Aaron Long - LAFC
Jesus Murillo - LAFC
Eddie Segura - LAFC
Tim Parker - New England Revolution
Jack Elliott - Philadelphia Union
Summary
While Malanda is one of Charlotte FC's most talented young players they have set up their roster well to be able to replace him if a substantial offer comes in. There also looks to be options available in the free agent pool that could be added as additional depth. There even could be some strong starting-caliber options available if a player like Jack Elliott gets his option declined.
