Nashville SC: 3 key players in 2020 season
By Alex Miller
2. Hany Mukhtar
Hany Mukhtar is the perfect kind of player for MLS.
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Coming into the league at the age of 25, Mukhtar has seen plenty of strong competitive action throughout Europe, winning titles with Benfica, Hertha Berlin, RB Salzburg, and Danish club Brondby. He has also competed for Germany at several youth levels and was included in Team of the Tournament for the U-19 Euros.
Mukhtar is the prime example of MLS swooping in on younger talent in Europe that likely will struggle for regular first-team minutes at an elite club. Mukhtar is capable of playing in Europe, but he will never star at the higher level. In MLS, he can shine.
He struggled a little against Atlanta, though showed some bright spots in possession. His true colors, however, were most fabulously displayed in Nashville’s 1-0 loss to Portland. He was easily the best player on the pitch as a very technical and sneaky attacker who can slither inside the opponent’s box, create chances, and causes problems with his dribbling and control. Nashville might have only scored from a set-piece thus far, but Mukhtar will prove problematic for MLS defenders.