Phil Neville has described the re-signing of forward Indiana Vassilev as another piece in the Inter Miami ‘jigsaw’, revealing the club has been given a lift by his arrival.
The American attacker spent the second half of the 2021 campaign on loan in Miami from Aston Villa, scoring three goals in 21 MLS appearances after joining on July 7.
Vassilev impressed with his attacking play to the extent that Miami once again went all in to lure him over for another loan spell away from the Premier League after notching two goals and an assist in five appearances for Aston Villa’s Under-23 side recently.
“[Vassilev] is someone that we’ve been chasing for a long time,” Neville told reporters on Thursday. “We’ve just been trying to piece the jigsaw together, and he gives us really good depth now. Indy probably plays three or four different positions. When he came in this morning you saw his popularity; the whole building was excited to see him.”
Neville further explained Vassilev’s importance to the roster and how the 21-year-old can unlock Inter Miami’s attack not just with goals, but also with his versatility and quality on the flanks.
“He’s a goalscorer. He knows where the goal is, and he scores important goals,” the former Manchester United and Everton man added. “You think about the work that Ari Lassiter has put in, that Robbie [Robinson] has put in, they can’t play every single game. With the games we have over the next couple weeks, it’s going to be impossible.
“So we need speed and quality in the wide areas, but we also need goals. What [Vassilev] allows us to do, is maybe play Robbie or Ari up front, and know that we have Emerson [Rodriguez] or Indy to come in and provide real depth.”
Vassilev expressed his pleasure at returning to DRV PNK Stadium and outlined his goals for the rest of the 2022 MLS season.
“It feels really good to be back,” the United States youth international said. “There’s energy, with new faces and a lot to learn. I would’ve liked it to happen sooner, but I am here now.
“All my focus goes toward getting this club where it needs to be. I’m ready to put my head down and work. I have to show it in training. I think if I do that, opportunities will come my way.”
