Can Atlanta United's new signing Steven Alzate help turn the club's fortunes?

If Alzate lives up to Jonathan Spector's scouting report, he'll be a massive boost for Atlanta. But is it just hopium from a desperate recruitment director?

via Atlanta United

With the team in desperate need of change and improvement, Atlanta United announced the signing of central midfielder Steven Alzate from Hull City last week.

Before you continue, I’d highly recommend taking a look at Sam’s breakdown of how Alzate profiles as a player, because that context is important when considering how Jonathan Spector spoke about the Colombian international last week ahead of Atlanta’s Leagues Cup finale against Atlas.

Spector, Atlanta United’s Head of International Recruitment and Development, spoke to Mike Conti and Jason Longshore on 92.9 The Game’s pregrame show last week ahead of the Leagues Cup finale against Atlas.

“For me he’s a player that’s really technical, really good in possession. You can give him the ball and he can solve problems,” said Spector. “He can wiggle out of pressure on the ball. He’s got good passing range. He’s played as a 6, an 8 and a 10. He’s got good versatility. I think he’s best suited as a 6 to dictate the tempo of the game. And defensively he’s got a little bit of bite and some good athleticism as well.”

I’m torn about how to feel about Spector’s statement. On the one hand, the player he describes fits a glaring need for the Five Stripes, as I outlined in a piece ahead of the opening of the transfer window.