Atlanta United: Jurgen Damm can be lethal super-sub

Atlanta United signed former Tigres player Jurgen Damm in their first big move of the summer. The winger has the ability to become a lethal super-sub.

The first confirmed signing of the summer transfer window for Atlanta United is Jurgen Damm. A four-time Liga MX champion with Tigres, the 27-year-old joins the 2018 champions with plenty of experience at one of Mexico’s best clubs.

Damm has been linked with a move to MLS since February. There was no mention of which clubs he would end up at, however, although Atlanta United, reeling from the season-ending injury to Josef Martinez, always seemed like a logical landing spot.

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His arrival comes at a time when Atlanta are lacking speed in their attack. The departure of Miguel Almiron and Hector Villalba left a void in this department, while Martinez’s absence only adds to the lack of athleticism and sharpness in the final third.

Damm is renowned for his blistering pace. In 2015, he was reported to be the second-fastest player in the world in a study backed by FIFA. His arrival instantly adds a weapon to Atlanta’s attack with his quick pace.

As a winger, Damm should fit well into Atlanta’s system. Frank de Boer is keen to find offensive width. There is no question that he will be used often by Atlanta but it remains to be seen if that will be as a substitute or in the starting XI. He was not a regular in the lineup for Tigres in his latter years which does raise questions of his form entering his time with Atlanta.

It seems more likely that de Boer would opt to use Damm as a substitute, a frighteningly fast option to unleash off the bench late on in games. Opposing backlines would struggle to contain Damm in the final minutes of matches when fatigue begins to set in.

Damm is a terrifying player for any opponent to see introduced. If the Five Stripes are protecting a lead and are looking to sit back and counter-attack or if they need a more direct option to break down opposing defenses, the winger provides a unique option that few others in the league can replicate.

Damm’s caliber is not to be overlooked, either. While his career has not progressed as hopes, he once received interest from Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg among other European clubs. Although a transfer to Germany never happened, he was once regarded as one of Mexico’s most promising players. That talent has not disappeared overnight.

Now, he has the chance to revitalize his career in Atlanta. It may not be a regular role in the starting XI that awaits, but he can become one of the top substitutes in MLS. And that is valuable.