Forward of the 2022 season, followers and media alike have been questioning if this is able to be a giant yr for the 20-year-old centre-back. With a formidable pair of starters forward of him in Miles Robison and Alan Franco, and his path to minutes cleared by the departure of Anton Walkes by way of the growth draft to Charlotte, Campbell grew to become the No. 1 man on the depth chart. Atlanta protection. 2020 and 2021 have been powerful seasons for Campbell, who battled accidents and availability, however no less than had a strong run with the two, exhibiting off his sturdy athletic capability with sturdy particular person protection towards large, aggressive forwards and artful little wingers. He confirmed his consolation with the ball at his ft and his capability to maneuver ahead with possession to seek out the proper move. Campbell additionally confirmed his capability to get to the top of a purpose, scoring a ridiculous header to open a 3-0 path towards orlando metropolis.

In 2022, the rising younger expertise probably anticipated him to play when Robinson was with the US nationwide crew or when the formation modified to three within the again. Like his teammates, there isn’t any approach he might have predicted how essential he would all of the sudden turn into when the damage disaster devastated the protection. Campbell was additionally caught up within the damage spree, first tearing his adductor muscle in late April after which lacking a number of extra weeks late within the season with a associated groin damage. To his credit score, he got here again and performed 11 straight video games over the summer season earlier than he declined and an aggravated groin damage compelled him again to the bench.

statistics

Minutes: 1476

Objectives: 0

Assists: 0

What went properly?

An important factor for Campbell was that he gained a whole lot of invaluable expertise. When he was wholesome, he confirmed his potential by means of his athleticism and passing capability. When he has lively and succesful assist at fullback and central midfield, Campbell can successfully dribble ahead and choose up a move, however that assist wasn’t usually current in most of his begins. He additionally confirmed the potential for him to be a powerful defender with Robinson-like lockdown athleticism if he can place himself appropriately and restrict the instances he will get into compromising positions. He appears to be studying and may benefit from his errors and inconsistencies after this offseason.

What to enhance?

Campbell’s greatest space of ​​concern this season was his consistency and maddening capability to generate unforced errors. He and his fellow central defenders did job of hanging out with one another because the season reached its lowest level. This usually got here from a mixture of psychological and bodily fatigue that produced poor choices. Add to {that a} lack of midfield management, an obsession with constructing from behind, and an absence of great motion in midfield or up, Campbell was usually compelled to squeeze tight passes into harmful areas or enterprise ahead the place he received atrociously. numbers for profitable dribbles, runaways, and propensities to be dispossessed. A part of that comes from a whole lack of assist from his teammates and a part of that comes from making an attempt to do an excessive amount of, usually past his ability degree. Early within the season, his athleticism would possibly bail him out, however as his nagging damage and his fatigue piled up, those self same recoveries weren’t almost as efficient.

That mentioned, his well being over the previous three years stays a priority. Campbell has battled leg accidents and it appears to be affecting his availability and his mobility when the damage flares up. It is commendable that he pushed himself and selflessly took the sphere as a lot as potential this yr, however at a sure level, he is creating an issue for his future and for the short-term success of the crew. For his sake and ours, I sincerely hope that he can adequately heal his tender tissue accidents in his legs this offseason in order that he can enter the 2023 camp wholesome and able to compete whereas Robinson will get up to the mark.

What function will it play in 2023?

A lot of this is because of Juanjo Purata’s future on the membership and Robinson’s well being subsequent season. If Atlanta United select to retain Purata (which they need to), Campbell drops down the depth chart to the middle fourth, forward of Alex De John and Noah Cobb. This may not be the worst on this planet for the teen so long as he can proceed including minutes. He could also be known as up early because the membership rigorously reintroduce Robinson to the sphere, nevertheless it’s completely potential that Campbell will spend a good period of time with the two within the third tier. Campbell will flip 22 subsequent summer season, so he has a viable shot on the US Below-23 crew that may start qualifying for the following Summer season Olympics in 2024. The membership has each purpose to be affected person with him as a result of he might very properly turn into the successor to Miles Robinson or Alan Franco in 2024.

Total Participant Score: C-

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