Zack Steffen: What will Manchester City transfer target and Major League Soccer rising star add to the Premier League champions?

Zack Steffen: What will Manchester City transfer target and Major League Soccer rising star add to the Premier League champions?
Manchester City appear set to sign rising star Zack Steffen from Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew SC.The American goalkeeper, 23, is expected to join the Citizens when the English transfer window opens in January, with the two sides currently negotiating a fee.3

Steffen in action for the USA in a friendly against Brazil in September

The acquisition of Steffen should provide adequate cover for City’s first choice keeper Ederson and Steffen could compete with the likes of Swiss youngster Arijanet Muric in the future.But what do we know about Steffen? Below you can see talkSPORT.com’s scout report of City’s transfer target.

STATS

Age – 23Place of Birth – Coatesville, Pensylvannia, USAClub – Columbus Crew SCAppearances – 86 club gamesHonours – MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award (2018), MLS Best XI (2018)International caps – 6

Experience

The 2018 season has been a breakthrough season for Steffen. His career started somewhat slowly after joining German club Freiburg in December 2014.He made a handful of appearances for their second team Freiburg II in the 2015/16 campaign but could not break into their first team, so was signed by Columbus Crew SC in 2016.Steffen then broke into the Crew XI in the 2017 play-offs and hasn’t looked back since.3

Steffen’s move to City could cost up to 8m

The glovesman has 71 appearances for Crew and has set a new shutout (clean sheet) record streak lasting 525 minutes – longer than any other Crew player – which helped them reach the MLS Cup play-off semi-finals in 2018.This form has led to him receiving his first call-up for the United States national team in January 2018 for a friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina. He now has six appearances for his country.

Shot-stopping

Steffen is viewed as a very good shot-stopper and his shutout record certainly suggests he makes the saves he should be making and more.And despite his 6ft 3ins frame, Steffen is quick, agile and able to get low quickly.Getty3

Steffen has saved a penalty from Wayne Rooney

He knows how to save a penalty too, keeping out two spot-kicks in their play-off knockout match against DC United – one of them from Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney!

Distribution

He has good distribution for a keeper, which would make him an ideal fit at the Etihad Stadium.Steffen’s improved passing skills have helped Crew build up from the attack more which undoubtedly helped them get to the semis this year.

Potential

While Steffen does not have any trophies to show for his efforts, he has picked up some individual awards in his short career.This year, he was given the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year prize and was included in the MLS Best XI.He has admitted his footballing idol is ex-Red Devil Tim Howard and member of the US National Soccer Association Leighton Walters says the comparisons between the two are inevitable, such is Steffen’s potential.

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