Twellman: “I’d be shocked if Busio is [at Sporting KC] much longer”

During the 2019 MLS SuperDraft on Friday, trapped amid a greater conversation about Sporting Kansas City needing a number nine (or not needing one, depending on who was talking), MLS veteran and ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman snuck in this little line.

“To be honest with you, I’d be shocked if Busio is there much longer because of the amount of people that are calling for his services.”

Our own Mike Kuhn pointed out the comment on Twitter.

Gianluca Busio is still just 16-years-old (he turns 17 in May) and going into only his second professional season. He was signed as a 15-year-old, the second youngest player to ever sign a Major League Soccer contract behind Freddy Adu.

This is a rumor that, while we are currently unsure has legs, will never stop. Twellman is a reliable source and Busio is a unique case. He’s obviously got talent oozing out of him but most American players need to wait until they are 18 to head abroad (see: Erik Palmer-Brown, among others). But because Busio holds an Italian passport, he can go now.

It will be interesting to see if his minutes greatly increase in 2018 to see if Sporting KC make a play at keeping him long term or if they ultimately sell him on to Europe (the more likely scenario) and continue the growing story of MLS becoming a selling league.

In 2018, when Busio made his pro debut, he played in just seven league games, including one start, and racked up a mere 153 minutes. In that time he scored an ugly goal and had one of the best assists of the year to Diego Rubio.

He also spent time with Sporting KC’s USL Championship team, the Swope Park Rangers. In USL he definitely played more getting 10 appearances, nine starts and 662 minutes.

For the full conversation, check out the video below bookmarked to the appropriate starting point during the draft. Right after that discussion Twelling, who’s from St. Louis, goes on to talk about how MLS Expansion is likely headed to St. Louis.

Sporting KC are already in Arizona for preseason. We’ll try to catch up with Peter Vermes over the coming days and weeks as media availability presents itself. Don’t expect Busio to be gone anytime soon, but most believe his long-term future lies abroad.