Richie Laryea: Whitecaps sign Julian Gressel replacement on loan from Nottingham Forest

The Vancouver Whitecaps have completed a blockbuster deal that sees Canadian men’s national team star Richie Laryea join the club on loan from Nottingham Forest. Laryea will join on loan until December 31. There is no mechanism to make the deal permanent but Transfermarkt understands that the two clubs have an agreement in principle that could see Laryea join the Whitecaps for €1 million next winter.

 

Laryea was in high demand. Both D.C. United and Toronto FC wanted the player this summer. The 28-year-old, in fact, spent the first half of the season on loan at TFC scoring two goals and four assists in 18 Major League Soccer games. Toronto were hopeful to make that deal permanent but the club’s turmoil meant that Laryea looked at other options first. D.C. United was also considered but the player preferred a move to Canada and the prospect of becoming a Designated Player next season should the transfer be made permanent.

At the Whitecaps, Laryea is now set to become the direct Julian Gressel replacement. Like the US men’s national team player, Laryea occupies the right flank, even if he does play a little further back than Gressel. In fact, Laryea’s four assists fall just short of Gressel’s five assists that he had with the Whitecaps over 18 MLS games this season. Where Laryea falls behind Gressel is goals—the German has managed five goals in 21 games across all competitions for the ‘Caps this season. 

Laryea headed to Vancouver Whitecaps – Can he replace Gressel?

But while Gressel leads Laryea in obvious stat categories there are some underlying stats that could indicate that the Canadian could be a decent replacement for the American with German roots. Laryea, for example, leads Gressel in pass completion (84.37% vs 80.41%) and PAdj interceptions per 90 minutes (5.24 vs 4.7). Where Laryea will struggle is to replicate some key attacking stats. Gressel leads Laryea in crosses per 90 (4.2 vs 1.37) and key passes per 90 (1 vs 0.24) this season.

But those numbers have to be taken in the context that Laryea was playing for a highly dysfunctional TFC side this season. There is certainly an argument that if the Whitecaps surround Laryea the productivity will go up. Whether it will reach the same level as Gressel’s remains to be seen, however.