What Could Charlotte FC Be Getting With Enzo Copetti?

By Tyler Trent

Image courtesy of Racing Club

Charlotte FC are interested in adding Argentine forward Enzo Copetti this transfer window. The 26-year-old currently plays for Racing Club who finished second in the Argentine Primera División with Copetti scoring 11 goals and adding 4 assists in 25 matches. Until 2021, Copetti played with Atlético de Rafaela mostly in the Primera Nacional, the second division of Argentina.

Racing Club acquired Enzo Copetti on loan for the 2021 season, before purchasing him for around $700,000 going into the 2022 season. Copetti’s stock has rapidly been rising with his continued importance for Racing with an estimated value of 5.3-million-dollars. It’s easy to see why Charlotte FC would be interested. According to TyC Sports both Charlotte FC and Atlanta United have made offers for Copetti with the Argentine club looking to sell for a price similar to his 10-million-dollar release clause.

Copetti has been at the end of threats from “supporters” of Racing as well after the club conceded the title to Boca Juniors this season. Many fans blamed Copetti for not taking a late penalty versus River Plate in their final match which was ultimately missed by his teammate. This reaction could have the player even more open to a move abroad. After receiving abuse and threats, Copetti shared the following to his Instagram story.

Which translates as, "I did a thousand things right and no one said anything, I did one thing wrong and now I'm the worst person in the world"

While a 10-million-dollar price tag is high for a player that was sold for only $700,000 earlier this year, Copetti has a lot of tools in his game that could make him an extremely good player in MLS and in Charlotte.

Copetti has primarily played as a centre-forward for Racing in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, two formations often used by Lattanzio this past season. However, he is capable of playing as a right winger as well. Copetti is best used inside the box where 14 of his 15 goals for Racing have been scored including 7 headers and 7 goals with his strong right foot. Copetti is strong on the ball and a very good finisher who loves to play inside the 18. However, Copetti is an active player across the entire attacking half capable of dropping a little deeper similar to Świderski to fight for the ball and create attacking opportunities with his work rate.

While Enzo Copetti is clearly a talented player, how does he fit in this Charlotte FC team? It’s an interesting question. With Świderski moving to a role as an attacking midfielder later in the season, does Charlotte see that as his permanent position for the team with Copetti playing in front or does this signal that Charlotte is planning for a replacement for Świderski up front?

I think Charlotte likely see Copetti able to fulfill a role regardless of the outcome of Świderski’s situation, but with hopes to see Świderski playing as a number 10 with Copetti a potential upgrade on Daniel Ríos up front.

If Świderski stays with Charlotte for next season, having Enzo Copetti has his main man up front could be huge for Charlotte’s offensive consistency. Having a strong goal poacher playing in front of Świderski with wingers who really upped their game as the season started to close is very promising. Add in a potential additional signing for a new winger and the Charlotte FC attack could be on a new level.