This summer was supposed to be a landscape-altering summer transfer window for the Canadian men's national team. Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan and Cyle Larin were linked to various clubs in major European leagues, with David attached to Manchester United and Chelsea, among others.
The chance to move up the European ladder, and play in even higher-pressure environments, was a tantalizing — if not necessary — prospect.
"That's one of the big questions that we've got to keep answering as a country," said Canada coach John Herdman after the team's World Cup finale when asked about the need for more top-tier Canadian players.
"Now our players have been seen. We know that people around the world are looking at this country saying, 'Wow, they've got some good, young, talented players.'"
Even for a player like David, it's a big step. Moving from Lille to the bright lights of the Premier League, for example, brings more attention and pressure. But it's crucial to thriving in the biggest games for club and country, including the World Cup.
But it appears that Lille's asking price, combined with David's expected wages, are proving to be huge obstacles. Champions League finalists Inter Milan looked into the 23-year-old but he was deemed "too expensive," according to Fabrizio Romano. Inter is currently mired in financial difficulties, so splashing the €65 million ($95.9 million) that Lille reportedly wants for its prized striker isn't feasible.
Realistically, only English clubs — and Saudi Arabian teams, who David has already rejected — could afford the fee and wages. Tottenham supposedly have David listed as a possible Harry Kane replacement if he's sold this summer, ditto with Juventus if they sell Dusan Vlahovic.
Other than that, though, the market has been quiet. It's also worth noting that Juventus are also trying to rite the ship after a shocking financial scandal, so don't hold your breath on the Bianconeri pulling the trigger.
So, logic dictates that David will stay at Lille for another season unless a huge offer comes in and it's a club that the Canadian international wants to join.
Meanwhile, Buchanan, heavily linked to several of Italy's biggest clubs throughout the spring, is still at Club Brugge and started the first four games of the season.
However, there might be a big break. Belgian outlets (via Canadian Soccer Daily) reported that Burnley have Buchanan on its shortlist of potential signings. Manager Vincent Kompany was at Anderlecht during Buchanan's first few months at Brugge, so he's likely familiar with the 24-year-old already.
Thankfully, one of Canada's top players managed to secure an important transfer. Cyle Larin, who lit up La Liga with Real Valladolid last season, moved to Mallorca. The club has European aspirations this year, so it could be a transformative campaign for the men's national team's all-time leading scorer.
Mallorca has even changed systems since signing Larin, indicating that he should be a key player. Last year, Los Piratas played with a lone striker, usually Vedat Muqiri, their leading scorer with 15 goals. So far, coach Javier Aguirre has utilized a front two in pre-season.
It's not all doom and gloom for Canadians, even for David and Buchanan who were probably hoping for transfers. They can still light it up in France and Belgium, respectively, and move in January or next summer.
• One Canadian striker who did move from France to England was Ike Ugbo. The former Troyes forward joined Cardiff City in the Championship, logging a goal and an assist on his full debut vs. Leeds United.
Having not been called up by Canada since the World Cup, perhaps this is the start of Ugbo's resurgence.
• Scott Kennedy has a new club as well, moving from relegated German second division club Jahn Regensburg to Wolfsberger in Austria's top flight. He went the full 90 minutes in his debut, helping beat Blau Weiss-Linz 2-1 in the opening match of the season.
• Elsewhere, Milan Borjan moved to Slovakian giants Slovan Bratislava on loan from Red Star Belgrade. The 35-year-old goalkeeper has already led Slovan to the third qualifying round of the Champions League while starting all six matches in all competitions.
• One of the players to watch in Europe this season has to be Ismael Kone. The 21-year-old midfielder has come off the bench in Watford's first two matches, but he was a live wire in the 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Kone's spacial awareness, composure and willingness to progress the ball were all brilliant to watch.
This could be a pivotal year for Kone. He was excellent for Canada during the Nations League Finals in June and if he improves his defensive acumen, he will develop into a bona fide Tier 1 player.
• We can't mention Kone without discussing Stephen Eustaquio. Arguably Canada's most important player is set to begin another season with Porto after a breakthrough 2022-23 campaign.
• Theo Corbeanu sealed another loan move, his fifth in three seasons, to Grasshoppers in Switzerland. He's gotten off to a flyer, recording three assists in as many games.
His latest assist was classic Corbeanu: driving down the wing and swinging in a back-post cross.
Currently, Corbeanu is averaging two accurate crosses per 90 minutes and 0.29 expected assists per 90. It's still very early, but if the 21-year-old's chance creation continues at that pace, it could lead to the breakthrough season he desperately needs.
• There are still a few weeks left in the transfer window, so this may not be the case by the end of the month, but there are three Canadian-eligible players still on Premier League squads: Daniel Jebbison (Sheffield United), Aribim Pepple (Luton Town) and Luca Koleosho (Burnley).
Jebbison and Pepple may not be at their respective clubs by September, but Koleosho signed from Espanyol, so he'll be part of Burnley's rotation. The 19-year-old represents Italy at youth level but participated in two senior Canadian camps in 2022.
• Over in Sweden, Derek Cornelius is still bossing the back line for Malmo. Even as a left-back in a 3-0 win over Halmstad, Cornelius was still progressing the ball...
... Logging high recoveries...
... And bossing every aerial duel.
One has to wonder how he might've fared during the Nations League Finals if he wasn't injured.
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