Real Salt Lake Must Address Key Structural Issue If Mastroeni Stays

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake needs Kalvin Phillips just as badly as Manchester United does.

For the sake of this article, let’s assume that Pablo Mastroeni is hired by Real Salt Lake following the conclusion of the season.

The need for a disciplined number six is atop the priority list and it is not even close.

Pablo Bielsa

The 3-5-2 formation that Mastroeni has installed has proven to be very exciting as Real Salt Lake is one of the league’s top goal-scoring clubs. Mastroeni has discussed in interviews of past how he studies Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United and often attempts to implement similar strategic advancements.

Marcelo Bielsa is a cunning tactician known best for his ability to analyze his opposition in meticulous detail. He is also known for his incredibly aggressive offensive approach. Bielsa throws more numbers into the attacking half than any other notable manager, however, the key to his entire system has nothing to do with his attackers, rather, the most important player on the pitch for Bielsa is Kalvin Phillips; his number six.

Phillips is an incredibly talented holding midfielder who controls the tempo and speed of the game. He is the organizer, the shape creator, and the central figure in Bielsa’s formation.

Phillips is disciplined, which allows his other midfield counterparts to play with more aggression because when Leeds turns the ball over Phillips has a unique ability to slow down any counter-attack. He is a magician when it comes to reading the play.

Real Salt Lake needs a disciplined number six. They need stability in the defensive midfield position if Mastroeni is going to win under the 3-5-2 formation. Right now, Real Salt Lake is throwing numbers into the attacking third, but as soon as the ball is turned over they are exposed on the counter-attack.

The Rostered Players

Pablo Ruiz is not a six, he is a more attacking threat. Everton Luiz is meant to be that player, but he is not disciplined enough. Luiz cannot help himself but chase down the football, he is a physical powerhouse but does not have the order to remain at his post. Nick Besler does not have the instinct to be the future six-under Mastroeni. Besler is a solid player, but not a starting-caliber player for Real Salt Lake, his role is better suited off the bench.

Spenno’s Top Candidates

Freelance scout and KSL Sports dot com contributor Spencer Warne shared his insight into potential players that Real Salt Lake should be interested in to fill the void at the six.

Bruno Zuculini is a 28-year-old force who currently plays for River Plate in Argentina. According to Transfermarkt, he is valued at $2.5 million. His contract will expire in June of 2022. On July 1, 2014, Zuculini was bought by Manchester City for 2.5 million euros and has since had stints at Valencia, Middlesborough, and AEK Athens.

Zuculini reads the play well and has a unique ability to stop a goal-scoring threat with his slide tackling power. He is a leader, organizer, and will always work as hard as he can for the interests of his team. Zuculini must be considered by Real Salt Lake’s front office this winter.

Another potential candidate is 26-year-old Spaniard Sergi Samper who currently plays in Japan’s J-League for Vissel Kobe. Samper came up through the Barcelona youth system and was signed by Barcelona on July 1st, 2016. He went on loan to La Liga rival Granada CF and La Liga 2 side UD Las Palmas before signing with Vissel Koba on a free transfer.

He is valued at 900,000 euros according to Transfermarkt but has been valued as high as 5 million euros when Barcelona signed him in 2016.