Which Charlotte FC players need to have a big 2026?

By Brian Maurer

Djibril Diani during last season's playoff series versus NYCFC (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90)

One of the discussions Jorge Gonzales, Justin Olsinski, and I had a couple of weeks back on the podcast was who needs to have a big 2026 season. There are several candidates for a multitude of reasons, from contract situations to rising team expectations.

Here is a breakdown of some of our top candidates who need to find a new level for Charlotte FC in 2026:

Djibril Diani

Djibril Diani is an obvious candidate who needs a breakout in 2026. He is on the final year of his contract with no more option years, and Charlotte just signed another midfielder in Luca de la Torre, who will for sure eat up minutes in the Crown's midfield.

Brandt Bronico earned another contract extension this past year, and there is also a U22 Initiative prospect, Baye Coulibaly, on the senior roster who will contend for minutes. Diani is in the prime of his career and will need to show a new level he can reach, as his minutes are being challenged from multiple sides.

The upside for him is that Dean Smith said he appreciates a multitude of options and different traits in his midfield. If Diani can make his strengths stand out, he can earn himself a role and a new contract.

Ashley Westwood

Charlotte's captain is also in a contract year with an option for 2027. Ashley Westwood has been one of the Crown's best players since he arrived in 2023, and the level he reached in 2024 brought the club to a height that has been difficult to replicate. The question for this season will be whether he can either return to his 2024 level of work-rate and two-way play this year, or if he finds another solution and connection within midfield that raises the level of the team, without having to do the same level of work as when he first arrived.

Westwood will be 36 this year, making the demands on his body and how he responds with his performance on the pitch one to watch as the marathon season goes on, as this could determine the club's direction heading into the next winter window.

Idan Toklomati

Idan Toklomati earned the nine kit this winter after leading the team in goals in 2025. The pressure for Toklomati will be hitting that level and raising it now that more opponents are likely to lock in on him. He struggled at times during the playoff series last year, so he will also need to find a way to raise his level in the key moments throughout the season.

Pep Biel

Pep Biel has returned to training and told the media in his press conference that he is back to full health. The pressure on him will be to return to his MVP-candidate level form and stay on the field to help the team compete for trophies. Last season, Charlotte's playoff run was cut short, and it was easy to turn to Biel's absence as a key reason.

That absence has two meanings in terms of the importance of Biel having a big 2026. First, it highlighted his value when he was missing and why he earned Designated Player status and an extended contract. This newly earned status raises the expectations for him, which leads to the second meaning: if he is available in the key moments during the 2026 playoffs, can he provide the difference that is expected to get this team over the line?

The answer to that question will be one of the most important throughout Charlotte FC's 2026 campaign.

Luca de la Torre

The USMNT midfielder is a brand new signing, and generally, that means time is required to acclimate through the early portion of the season. However, there will be expectations out of the gate for de la Torre as he will likely be one of the highest-paid players on the roster, and he can help evolve the play of the Crown with his ability to connect lines and progress play towards the attacking third.

If more connectedness, ball control, and creative progression aren't seen, questions will be asked about how far this team can go and whether the long-term signing of de la Torre is capable of making that impact.