FC Cincinnati: Matias Fernandez the absolutely necessary creator

FC Cincinnati have been linked to the possible transfer of Chilean midfielder Matias Fernandez. If this occurs, it would be a massive signing for the club and fill a void needed heading into their inaugural season. He is the necessary creator FCC require.

It has been a busy offseason thus far for expansion club FC Cinciannti. With defensive signings already made in December, the club from southern Ohio will now look to bolster their squad in the midfield.

The player who has been linked as the midfield playmaker they need is Chilean international Matias Fernandez.

Currently, at Nexaca in Liga MX, Fernandez has been confirmed as a target for Cincinnati this week.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

Having already had success winning titles in Mexico, the 32-year-old midfielder can bring experience and creativity to a side that needs a player of his ability in their ranks. With his contract set to expire in June of 2019, it appears the timing could be perfect for his acquisition in the winter.

Fernandez has had quite the journey over his playing years. He started in Chile with Colo Colo but then made the move across the ocean to Villarreal in Spain in 2006 where he would begin 11 years of play with three other European clubs. During his European playing days, Fernandez saw action in the Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian top flights.

In total, the midfielder made 388 appearances in his career with 39 goals and 71 assists. For his native country of Chile, he made 67 appearances, two of which came in the World Cup. In 2015, perhaps the biggest accomplishment of his career was when he helped win the 2015 Copa America title.

Cincinnati does not have a proven playmaker to help orchestrate the midfield right now and this could be a concern as the season approaches. Fernandez would help instantly fill the void and give the club a leader who has experience at the top levels of football across the globe and on the international stage.

Having shifted their early focus to establishing a defensively strong squad, this move would help enable a higher caliber offensive attack. Fernando Adi will be looked to provide goals but there has to be someone there to get him the opportunities he needs.

Looking at Fernandez’s stats, it is clear to see that he is a creator of goals, rather than a goalscorer himself. Throughout his time in Europe, he averaged over one chance created per game every season that he played since 2013. He is a natural creator, the precise kind of player that Cincinnati require. Moreover, playing in Liga MX polishes his pedigree. He will be in a somewhat similar style of play and the transition will be much easier. Not only is he proven in Europe, at the highest level of the sport, but he also has experience of a similar style of play to MLS.

FC Cincinnati will make their life a lot easier in 2019 if they can pull off this transfer in the coming weeks of the offseason. Matias Fernandez is the exact type of player that they need.