Pep Biel came to Charlotte FC on loan in 2024, but he wasn’t truly appreciated until the start of the current MLS season. The Spaniard joined a midfield that seemed stacked, and many people thought his DP status was a little overkill. While his opening season in MLS went well, it was short, and the team was looking to make some changes. Thankfully, they decided to extend his contract with the option to buy later this year. He might be the only thing that can save a season that’s quickly losing steam.
Biel came to Charlotte with a long list of accolades, earning a Designated Player spot after being loaned to the team by the Greek club Olympiacos. He didn’t officially join the team until August 2024, but still found his way on the starting 11 eight times, playing a total of nine games before the end of the season. He also recorded two goals and three assists in that short time. That’s why it came as a surprise when Charlotte decided to rescind their DP spot and send Biel back to Greece.
It wasn’t even a month later that Charlotte seemed to see the error of their ways. They brought Biel back, but they didn’t reinstate his DP status. The attacking mid is instead just taking up an international roster slot. It seems the team wanted to use their DP spot for Wilfred Zaha, a player they picked up just a few weeks after releasing Biel.
Charlotte reacquired Biel in a last-minute decision to keep him in the Queen City. While the team has players like Premier League legend Ashley Westwood at midfield and standout local talent Brandt Bronico on the roster, they need a consistent attacking player in the center of the field. Biel brings that aggressiveness and adds some confidence to younger players like forward Patrick Agyemang. That all translates into goals.
At this point in the season, Biel has started in all 19 matches he’s played. He also has six goals and eight assists under his belt. He’s what the team needs when it wants to transition up the pitch, and he’s fast enough to get the ball where it needs to go.
If the team wants to keep Biel on the roster after the end of his contract, they’ll likely need to sign him on as a Designated Player. Thankfully, Charlotte has one spot open, with Zaha and Liel Abada taking up the other two. Some restructuring would be needed if the team plans to fill the spot during the summer transfer window.
If Charlotte needs to get rid of a DP to keep Biel, then their best bet would be to send Abada out of the club. He’s a good player, but as a higher-paid DP, he’s not reaching Biel’s standards. He’s only recorded five goals and two assists, even though he’s played in the same number of matches. He’s a good forward, but he lacks aggressiveness on the ball. It doesn’t help that he never seems to be where he should be when a ball is passed to him.
Charlotte started the season unbelievably strong, and now they’re simply floundering. They can’t keep a ball outside of their half, and when they do, they can’t get it into the goal. Biel seems to be the only player who’s making any significant chances. Charlotte only has a few more chances to pick the season back up, and without Biel, it simply wouldn’t be possible. If they want a chance at success going forward, they need to either keep him on the roster or find some aggressive midfielders who can move the ball.
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