Ezequiel Barco should stay at Atlanta United

The technical director of Atlanta United, Carlos Bocanegra, denied that the Ezequiel Barco's absence in yesterday's game against Orlando City is related to a transfer going on. The executive considers Barco a center-piece for the future of the franchise, as well as the interim coach, Stephen Glass. On the other hand, besides many rumors, any offer has been set on the table, and it can't be said that Barco's future in Europe would be on a top-class team. The Argentinian playmaker should stay.

It's been five games since we last saw Barco dribbling through rivals with the ball in the Red and Black shirt. Since then, Atlanta has always tagged him as injured with day-to-day progress. It's curious, at the least. But it seems to be true. Bocanegra said Barco is desperate to get back on the field.

After Gonzalo Martínez's transfer to Saudi Arabia and considering Josef Martínez's season ending injury, Barco's playing time and, specially, stardom at the team will only increase. It's true that Jon Gallagher is stealing all the flashes right now with his great shape. But even that is something that Barco can take advantage of. 

Atlanta United has characterized itself for propelling South American talents, specially when it comes to wingers. It happened with Miguel Almirón and it happened with Gonzalo Martínez, although the Argentinian midfielder chose Arabian dollars instead of Europe. With Stephen Glass as coach, Barco can explode next season and avoid having to stopover a mid-class European team.