2nd Best MLS Scorer
It was just another “normal” day for Nashville’s offensive Hany Mukhtar against the Vancouver Whitecaps: The 27-year-old contributed two assists to his team’s 3-0 win in front of 16,631 fans at BC Place – and screwed the personal tally to 16 goals and 7 assists high, currently the second-highest rate in Major League Soccer’s scorer rankings. In the TM interview, the native of Berlin talks about his current impressive form, his decision for a long-term commitment in Tennessee and rumors of a move to Europe.
In fact, including second assists, Mukhtar is the 15th player in MLS to have double-digit scoring across multiple seasons. “There’s so much commentary surrounding the MVP discussion,” Nashville head coach Gary Smith said of his protégé, adding, “To me, you need look no further – what he brings to the team makes him the most valuable.” Individual players in this league.” But what makes Mukhtar so special? “It’s his attitude and his focus. His quality in every single game was absolutely wonderful.”
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Mukhtar himself passes on the praise to those around him: “My team helps me a lot. I have to give them and the coaching staff credit,” said the 27-year-old after his appearance in Vancouver, while also announcing further goals: “I will do my best and score a goal and an assist in every game.” Mukhtar is already impressive in that respect paid in advance, there is no doubt about that. The 1.73 meter tall ex-Hertha player has scored a goal every 141 minutes this season, although he didn’t play as a striker but behind a classic No. 9. In fact, Mukhtar has already matched his hit rate from last season in 26 games – a new personal best is in sight.
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Mukhtar is “very happy here in Nashville with his personal environment. I made a conscious decision to stay for the long term because I believe that I can develop as a player here and get even better. I certainly think I’ve made a step up from last season, but I can still do better.” The long-term deal signed by the attacking midfielder in April surprised some in the industry, given his performances over the past few years speculated about a move to the Bundesliga or another top 4 league in Europe. “I’ve learned from my career that you have to be careful when making the next decision,” says the player in the TM interview.
Indeed, after previous stints in Germany, Portugal, Austria and Denmark, Mukhtar seems to have found the perfect environment at the MLS club to thrive and make the most of his potential. His coach Smith gives him a lot of freedom to move around the pitch, making him one of the most dangerous players in MLS. “He’s so much more than a playmaker now,” said Smith, who doesn’t see Mukhtar as a classic number 10: “He controls a lot of pace for us creatively, his technique in tight areas is excellent and he has the awareness Breaking lines to free play other players and switch attack directions.”
Mukhtar has worked on his quality, being more present in the penalty area and putting himself in dangerous situations. “His ability to influence things in the penalty area has improved over the years,” said Smith, who pointed out that Mukhtar’s performance stats were through the roof in every area. When asked about his position, Mukhtar replies with a laugh: “To be honest, I don’t know. (…) We change quite a bit: Sometimes I play in half position, sometimes as a supporting striker. I have to give credit to my coach; He taught me not to get stuck in the tens position. Because if the opponent knows I’m playing there, they can take me out of the game.”
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Mukhtar back to Europe? “Would cost people a lot of money”
With Mukhtar performing in MLS for the past two seasons, the question remains will he make the move back to Europe after all? “There was interest,” the professional gives an insight. “But I’m 27 and I wanted to make the right move in my career and not choose something that might feel wrong after my career ended.”
Smith also believes Mukthar could play in one of the top four leagues in Europe. “Hany is definitely one of the elite players in this league,” said his coach, who added: “If we look around the league, a lot of guys from big clubs in South America and Europe have already been identified. They see the MLS as fertile ground for real talent.” But like his protégé, Smith quickly puts a stop to any transfer speculation: “He has a long contract and would cost people a lot of money. I doubt it will happen any time soon.”
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