When Daryl Dike emerged from the bench to make his United States debut in February, doors opened. Not just to international football, but to club football in England and potentially to the top level of the game in Europe.
Dike’s appearance in the final 25 minutes of a 7-0 friendly victory against Trinidad & Tobago was a proud moment for the 20-year-old forward and those who have supported him on his journey so far. It also meant his loan from Orlando City to Barnsley could finally be completed.
New work permit requirements for overseas players arriving in the UK post-Brexit value international appearances highly, favouring those with caps for a nation in Fifa’s top 30 (the US are 22nd).
“The club did have to wait for Daryl to enter the field of play against Trinidad to secure his work permit,” says Barnsley’s American CEO Dane Murphy.
“Barnsley analysed and tracked him throughout his rookie year in Orlando. Once the new immigration policy came in we investigated the possibility of him playing in the UK.
“There was a lot of interest in him from abroad so things were kept close to the vest.”
International appearances are especially important when a player is moving Major League Soccer – considered a fourth-tier league (out of six) for work permit purposes, so in itself doesn’t carry much weight.
Dike’s international debut in Orlando on the morning of transfer deadline day meant that just hours after stepping off the pitch in central Florida his signing could be announced in South Yorkshire.
“I was focused on the game,” Dike tells i. “I was more focused on potentially getting my first cap so I was really excited about that. It was an honour to play in that game.
“After that, my agent told me things have sped forward for a loan move to Barnsley.
“It was a quick timeline: start packing to travel, meeting the players and quickly getting integrated with the community and the team.”
That community has helped Dike settle quickly. As well as those with whom he has immediate contact such as teammates and staff, he’s also felt the love from fans despite games being played behind closed doors.
“It’s unfortunate to not have fans here at Oakwell but at the same time I still get to connect with people through interviews and social media,” Dike adds.
“I see a lot of people commenting [on social media] to make me feel welcome and that’s one way I can interact with fans.”
Barnsley have catapulted themselves into the playoff spots by winning nine and drawing one of the first 10 games in which the American featured before losing to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
Dike has five goals already, including a powerful long-range strike against Birmingham City and a display of intelligent movement in the box for one of two at Wycombe.
He wasn’t the only MLS player to consider a move to the Championship during the transfer window.
Paul Arriola and Jordan Morris joined Swansea on loan from DC United and Seattle Sounders respectively. Others including Sebastian Lletget of LA Galaxy, LAFC’s Diego Rossi and Aaron Long of New York Red Bulls interested Championship clubs, though it is understood there was no truth in rumours linking centre-back Long with Liverpool.
“It’s a different style of play from what I‘m used to in MLS, it’s maybe more direct,” Dike says of his experience.
“The physicality – every single game I get hit a few times! It’s not better or worse [than MLS] it’s just a different style, and I’m blessed to be able to experience it.”
The importance of that first cap to Dike’s progress should not be underestimated. The move to England it facilitated led to the next stage of his development, and his subsequent performances gave US coach Gregg Berhalter the easy decision to call him up again for this international break.
Dike believes the various situations he has encountered during his career so far could be good preparation for international football.
“I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be put in different experiences,” he says. “Whether with previous national team camps, with Orlando, here at Barnsley or even in college or before.
“I think having all the different coaches, all the different teams I’ve played on, has made me learn how to adapt, knowing each game’s not going to be the same.
“Even here in Barnsley, one game is completely different to the next. It’s made me more dynamic as I have to be able to change my game to help the team in whatever way possible.
“That’s something that can maybe translate when I get my chances with the national team. Hopefully, going forward, I can show people that and help the national team push forward in all competitions.”
Dike stood out in college soccer with Virginia Cavaliers before being drafted in the first round of the 2020 MLS Superdraft by Orlando City.
“It’s always been clear to me that Daryl has the physical attributes to perform at a very high level,” says George Gelnovatch, Cavaliers coach since 1996.
“What wasn’t clear was how much he could improve his technique and football intelligence. We work hard on trying to develop these aspects for all our players.
“I believe Daryl still has work to do but has clearly shown there is much more to his game than physicality.
“The rate at which he’s climbed in professional football is a testament to his incredible confidence and will to succeed.”
Gelnovatch, Murphy, and many others involved in the game believe the Championship could be a stepping stone for future American champions, aiding both their club and international careers. Dike could be a case in point.
“The Championship is unique in that it provides a platform to be identified by the ‘biggest leagues’ in Europe while remaining one of the most competitive/strongest pools of talent in Uefa,” says Murphy.
“It’s gonna be difficult for a lot of players,” adds Dike, “but I think they’re more than capable of making the step.
“At the same time I think myself, along with a lot of younger players, we’ve just got to up our game whether in MLS or another team.
“Everyone has that warrior mentality that we all want to be the best and improve. I think the main thing is to grow, no matter where you are.”
As England’s winter transfer window coincides with the MLS off-season, budding American internationals could see an opportunity to move to a league offering different challenges while also being a shop window to the Premier League and Europe.
Several Premier League clubs have already shown interest in Dike, whose all-round performances leading the line for Barnsley also appear to have consolidated his place in the US national team. On this particular path for American players, potentially leading to the top of the game via England’s second tier, Dike’s speedy steps could be an example to follow.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3vXObyy
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