Philadelphia Union: Transfer Targets to Fill out the Roster

Pirmin Schwegler (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)

Clearly one of the biggest blows of last year’s Union campaign was the loss of Vincent Nogueira in the deep midfield position. A reliable presence in front of the defensive line is crucial in the development of attacking moves in Major League Soccer.

Pirmin Schwegler has been a figure in the Bundesliga for the entirety of his professional career and has experienced relative success at the defensive midfield position. After a valiant run in the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt, the now 29-year old secured a move to Hoffenheim back in 2014 in hopes of developing his game further under then manager Markus Gisdol.

One relegation battle, two managerial changes, and a couple untimely injuries later, the Swiss midfielder has found himself pushed out of his starting position by the emergence of younger talent such as Gotoku Sakai and Matthias Ostrzolek. With only six months remaining on his contract, he looks to be on the move for the next stage of his career with the only lingering question being where and when.

Schwegler’s game is mainly focused around a defensive role, but he possesses the firepower to push forward, create opportunities on the ground, and test keepers from almost any spot on the field. His efficiency as a disrupting body in the midfield would allow for a rise in the number of chances for Philadelphia’s wingers to break down the sides.

His recent health status has lowered his value at a club who is looking to make a splash of moves following this Bundesliga season. The parting of Schwegler would not be a devastating blow to a team well on its way to building a solid backline and the Union’s checkbook would only take a more than reasonable hit for his services. Certainly a name to watch moving forward into January with a transfer almost guaranteed for Pirmin Schwegler by the end of the calendar year.