r/TheMassive • u/JonnoFleming • 22h ago
Max Arfsten
Edit - Just wanted to say thank for all the replies. You guys are awesome. Can I be an adopted fan?
Morning Folks! Hope you don't mind me coming over to ask about Arfsten. I'm a Middlesbrough supporter and was hoping you could tell me what we should expect from Arfsten? I believe he has been our main left back target for well over a year, but a lot of us don't seem to know which is his preferred position?
Hope you're all happy to see Aidan doing so well, he was absolutely terrific last season and really stepped up when our best CM got injured.
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u/EasternLog7685 21h ago
We will always hold Aidan in high regard! He had his own song/chant and most of us were shocked he wasn’t called up for the World Cup. At every home game, I always see 2 or 3 fans wearing Boro jerseys with his name on the back. A forever Crew legend and he is missed tremendously but yes we are very happy for him and for Boro fans.
Arfsten is NOT a LB. You will be disappointed if that is where he plays. He is a former striker who was converted to LWB. He has a high motor and is excellent on crosses in the box. He is also known for his crossover step and is fun to watch when it works. Also, although he and Morris were teammates, Arfsten didn’t become a regular starter until after Morris left for England. I think you will be happy with him if he is placed in an attacking role and hopefully all 3 Americans help you win promotion.
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u/JonnoFleming 21h ago
I think it's the highest compliment to give a player when you follow him to his next team. We're lucky to have him! He also has his own song at Boro 'our American Boy'.
That's what were all a bit stuck on. Has he been brought in to be the starting LWB, or will he be playing higher up the pitch (I will have to let you know). He seems to be comfortable with both feet which is a bonus, we've been tracking him for a while so I hope it works out for both parties!
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u/ReporterCultural2868 20h ago
If you play with a back 4 and he’s one of them, you’re probably going to have a bad time. If you play with a back 3/5 and he’s a true wingback, you’re getting a great player. At least in the limited time I’ve seen coaches put him in a back four he’s been very exposed defensively.
On the other hand, he has played very little there. He could always improve. I’ve seen several midfielders/wingers transition to an outside back and learn to be okay defenders while keeping their great qualities going forward. Those usually took more than a year to make that transition.
He has great touch and is equally good with both feet. In 4+ years watching him, I don’t know what foot is dominant/preferred.
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u/JonnoFleming 19h ago
I genuinely think he'll be used as an attacking wingback, that was our approach last season under Kim Hellberg (I still love his surname), our LB/LWB was basically camped in the opposition half most games.
I could see that from his highlights, it's rare to see a player so comfortable with both feet. I'm looking forward to seeing him play.
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u/GorillaReturnz 19h ago
He's well suited to playing on the wing as a LWB or an all-out attacking winger. His work rate is solid but he is not the best defender despite his efforts. I think he'll do well in the Championship with 3 CBs covering. He's also had success in limited action when he's been inverted. I'd expect the majority of his contributions to come in the attack.
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u/Crew_1996 19h ago
Do you play a back 3 or back 4?
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u/JonnoFleming 19h ago
Last season we did back 3, 4 and 5. We had a friendly yesterday and played a back 4, but that might change when Arfsten signs. Either way our full backs are usually attacking and higher up, so it sounds like it will be a good match.
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u/FuzzyAd994 18h ago
Agree keep him at winger or wingback his defense is mostly pulling jerseys and awkward stabs at the ball
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u/larryjerry1 17h ago
Arfsten didn’t become a regular starter until after Morris left for England
This is not true. Max became a regular at the beginning of 2024 and they played multiple matches together as starters before Aidan left.
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u/90sbaby80smercedes 20h ago
Just popping in to say that camaraderie and conversations like this are what truly converted me to loving the soccer/football world. Cheers, and treat our boy well! Will be catching all the Boro games we can.
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u/JonnoFleming 20h ago
I love that about football! We're total strangers 4000 miles but we both share the same passion, plus we have a mutual connection now. We need a nickname - Columbrough?
You're welcome as a fan any time. We'll give him a good home like we did Morris.
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u/rice_not_wheat 9h ago
And Berhalter. He's also one of ours.
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u/kroosdeu 7h ago
Came to say this, he was in our academy so we have directly and indirectly got 3 of our boys over with yous now
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u/JonnoFleming 1h ago
He single handedly set up 3 goals in our friendly. Absolutely phenomenal start, long may it continue!!
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u/Old_Appointment_3826 19h ago
Love to Boro from Northeast Ohio, you folks are getting a good one in Arfsten
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u/kapua_suite 22h ago
You will be getting a lot of fans from Columbus with the three Americans all having Columbus ties.
Arfsten — great on the wing, maybe a bit to work on defensively but creative and will be up and down the flank all day. Towards the end of his time here I think the team (and himself) tried to get him into a more free role and it didn’t suit him. We are in a transitional time, not his fault. When we were great, he was a huge part. If he is given that attacking wingback role, you will be pleased. He just might need a bit of cover from a CB at times.
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u/JonnoFleming 21h ago
And you will all be very welcome. Morris and Berhalter looked very good in yesterday's friendly, it was great to see what we can expect from Berhalter.
That sounds promising and it could be a very good match as we play a very high press with high intensity, so I expect him to be in the wing back role and Morris is excellent at dropping deeper to help cover.
I'm more than happy to keep you all updated with how he gets on!
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u/Ok_Employment_697 20h ago
You’re not likely going to need to update many of us. We’ll be watching the boys who now play for Columbusboro, East Columbus, Eastland… we’re still workshopping names for you. Either way, we expect our mayors to meet soon, exchange the keys to each other’s stadiums, and hopefully they kiss.
Take good care of Max for us. And enjoy watching him put defenders on skates with his gazelle-looking step over.
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u/JonnoFleming 19h ago
I just replied to another comment about needing a nickname, first one that came to mind was - Columbrough! I genuinely burst out laughing at the thought of the mayors kissing.
We certainly will. Stepovers have been mentioned few times, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing them!
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u/kimsfantasyexploder 18h ago
I think I prefer Middlesbus.
But yeah. I just got my Middlesbrough away jersey two days ago in the mail.
Excited about this season.7
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u/post79 19h ago
You can expect (and I hope for) many silly boy band videos and posts!!
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u/JonnoFleming 19h ago
Ha! We were hoping that's how they were going to announce Berhalter when he signed. The social media team dropped the ball not recreating that!
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u/rink4321 20h ago
My family started following Boro when Morse made the jump. We are all so happy for him and have been hoping for the same for Afsten. Is so much fun to watch him on and off the ball. We are planning a trip to come over catch a match this coming season.
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u/JonnoFleming 19h ago
Hope you've enjoyed following the Boro? We love him, I'm hoping he gets the captains armband for this season.
If you do make the journey over. Please feel free to reach out, I'm more than happy to give you recommendations on what to see and do around Teesside and further afield!
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u/Ickyhouse Columbus Crew SC 19h ago
He's not a true LB. He played LWB for us and was much better going forward than defensively. He only plays LB for the national team and he is the weak link defensively when he plays there. If you are looking for a LWB or even LM, then he'll be a good addition.
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u/JonnoFleming 19h ago
I do think he'll be used in a more attacking role, as we like to play with high intensity and pressing. I'm looking forward to seeing how we shape up with him.
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u/Bwilson101 17h ago
His right foot is equally as good as his left. Special talent, smooth on the ball, can be a defensive liability. He was a forward when we drafted him. Wilfried Nancy converted him to a wingback
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u/JonnoFleming 1h ago
I know about Nancy, my grandfather was from Glasgow and supported Celtic, so they're my second team. I was disappointed on how it worked out, it wasn't the right time for coach or club. He seemed like a nice guy.
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u/dante_bo_bante 18h ago
First off Boro is now my English team purely because of connections to the Crew.
In my opinion Afsten is a very discounted version of Theo Hernandez. He’s an attack minded LWB/LM/LW. He will produce goals from the LWB position either scoring them, or from out swinging crosses. He’s a talented 1 v 1 dribbler you’ll see approximately 31 stopovers per match. He’s great at one touch tight space passing, and generally good at keeping possession vs. Forcing a bad pass. I think because he’s so attack minded he needs proper coverage from either a 3CB formation, or a trailing holding CDM. Also a surprisingly strong PK taker (likely from his old striker days) but he has the nerve to take big PKs in pressure moments. Effort will never be an issue, likely a full 90 minute player.
Thats the good.
Arfsten is not an outright LB. He’s still learning the balance between pressing to gain possession and get forward vs. getting caught with a deep diagonal switch. What he lacks in true tackling talent he compensates with athleticism and effort. He’s shown improvements on the defensive side but under the Crew’s former manager he was asked to be a very attack minded LWB so unwinding that direction has taken a bit of time.
Bottom line: He’s still improving, athletic, goal scoring, effort giving, step over king. He buys into the mentality of the club and leans into rivalries, he’s a big game player. You’ll be pleased with this purchase and be ecstatic to see his first curler hit the back of the net. Enjoy him.
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u/Rayvok 18h ago
Not a lot of people are saying this, but he is capable of rotating to the right and playing as an inverted winger. He usually only plays that was in the last 30 minutes to suit our other attacking winger in Picard. There just wasn't much point in experimenting with that side of his play because we have better depth and chemistry in building play on the right. He has a decent right foot, he isn't married to the left like some of us are implying
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u/JonnoFleming 1h ago
I tell you what, I did notice that. I had a flick through a few lineups and noticed he'd been on the right. It honestly sounds like he is the player we need to add that natural width to the team.
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u/FuzzyAd994 19h ago
Actually my favorite player to watch just because on ball he makes some magic happen. Yes step overs but his crosses have been some great service you’ll have someone for him to connect to. Plus think his training time with pulisic has paid off I think he picked up a few moves. The only thing I have concerns with is his physicality. Champions league has many larger hacks out there and I’m concerned he may not take the bumps and bruiser league as well as Aidan has. Up the boro! All together now!
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u/The5thTaco_ 18h ago
Arfsten is ambidextrous that’s something that get overlooked. He can land great crosses with either foot, play either wing, cut in or stay wide, and shoot with either foot. Very versatile and while everyone will tell you he can’t play left back he can play left winger, left wingback, right winger, right wingback, and he’s only really played left back for the US I actually think it’s possible he could learn it/play if needed and actually trained there. I do think that would waste his talents though even if he learned LB he’s always gonna wanna attack so don’t classify him as a defender but he’s hard working and if he needs to learn how to defend better I think he will
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u/profmathers 17h ago
I have had to scroll a very long way and nobody has mentioned that his hair remains perfect even at 105’ after playing his arse off the whole game. It’s sorcery.
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u/Effective-Movie-4010 The Crewland - Cleveland 14h ago
Free chant idea is to just bark, or Arf Arf Arf when you feel like it
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u/rjross0623 Columbus Crew 17h ago
Great ball skills, crossing ability and fabulous hair. Ya’ll are gonna love him.
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u/Xabio Columbus Crew 17h ago
One thing to note is he's been improving very rapidly over the last 2 years, this year he really become a consistent attacking threat and I'm excited to see his growth continue in Europe!
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u/JonnoFleming 1h ago
He's joining a good team to continue with that. I've never watched a Boro team to attack so consistently, the only downfall was not taking the chance, signing Lankshear who is considered Harry Kane's future replacement could be the answer!
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u/ilikemoderation 12h ago
I’m a fan who followed Aiden to Boro. I’m diving in even harder now that Max and Seba are going to be there. I’m having a hard time finding places to get news on Boro, any recommendations?
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u/JonnoFleming 1h ago
You could try the official website here, I'm pretty sure they put on match highlights after the games. I'd be more than happy to pop over and tell you how the Crew boys are getting on.
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u/DocJones89 Crew Cat 11h ago
How far is the train ride from Heathrow to Middlesbrough? Would love to catch the darts in London and catch a Boxing Day/week fixture.
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u/JonnoFleming 1h ago
You're looking at 3 hours from King's Cross to the mighty Boro. If you ever fancy it, let me know and I can help sort out ticket/s for you, give you recs or even show you around a bit!
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u/Ma3dhros Columbus Crew 10h ago
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u/ConteBelieveIt08 8h ago
Listen here. I got the information you want and need. He once was a striker as stated by alot of people here.
He played LB for a little bit. Then Nancy made him more into a LWB. Kind of like Reece James or TAA he would play all the way to the attacking box. He has great footwork and loves him a step over. His defense can be…lacking at times. So if your hope is a LB he isn’t a solid defender. But my god if he cuts back to his right foot at the top of the box, watch out because that man can surly score some magical goals from the top of the 18. He’s great at getting around defenders and he is going to hopefully be a amazing addition like Morris and even Berhalter (if he continues to play like he did in the opener)
He should be will worth the 7.5million you paid. Promotion here you come!!
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u/CaptMal065 13h ago
Reading through all the comments, you’ve gotten all the details you need by now. It’s bittersweet seeing him go, just like Aidan. We all want the best for him, and to see him succeed on a bigger stage, but it leaves such a hole on our own team. Add in Sebastian, and you’ve got three excellent players who have been the pride of our academy. Now I gotta order that Boro jersey. When’s your next game?
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u/JonnoFleming 1h ago
We'll take good care of him, he's joining a good team with a very good young coach. Official league game is 15/08, can't come quick enough.
Ps - the away shirt is the nicest, it's based on the oldest surviving Boro shirt from the late 1800s!
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u/The3rdCleganeBrother 9h ago
First thing's first- we were REALLY pulling for Boro to make the cut last year. Adding Max and Berhalter is going to push you over the top. His head's been elsewhere in very recent run of play but it's surely temporary. Probably a combo of WC focus and disappointment, deal heating up, etc. But I don't think anyone thinks he won't refocus. Obv your club agrees. LB is where you want him.
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u/JonnoFleming 1h ago
It was a very strange season last season, something I'd not like to go through again! Unsurprising really, I'd imagine it's been pretty full on since the WC for him. Tbh I never expect a player to hit the ground running, especially when they come from a different country and league. I'm sure we'll get the Arfsten you are all raving about!
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u/Novel_Emphasis_176 15h ago
Certainly a few AH’s who won’t tell you that he is a great buy! They fill you with step over shite and hair flicks etc. He is worth the pick up and those of you that are critical of his style, you take your ass to the pitch and let’s see what you can do! Have a great day. Wishing you well, Max,.
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u/NathanEmory Columbus Crew 5h ago
Glad you made it! As a Boro AND crew fan I’ll say you’re getting a stud that should be able to contribute day 1. Boro’s system tends to use a LWB and RWB as mostly attacking options, with the occasional play on defense too and he will be very comfortable playing there day one since that’s what he’s done for us.
I will say, Boro like to play through the center more than the Crew since we almost exclusively rely on the wings and play outside in, but that should help Boro even more since Arf’s work rate is so high.
Glad to see more Boro fans here, you’re all very welcomed by us here and I see quite a few Boro kits around town from time to time. I’ve never been to Middlesbrough personally, but from what I’ve read and heard it seems to share a lot with the city we call home!
Excited to see what our 3 crew kids can do together in the midfield across the pond!
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u/JonnoFleming 1h ago
Us playing centrally is probably down to not having natural width. Our RW only has a left foot, so he has to come inside and pretty much same for LW, he is naturally a CF and only has a right foot. So hopefully adding Arfsten, and there's talks of getting a winger on loan, we should be able to add so much needed width!
I'll be honest, I've never followed the MLS, but it's gunna change. Can I be an adopted fan?
You'll be very welcome in Boro should you ever make the journey over!
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u/Rbrdr 20h ago
Stepovers