Swansea City had a dabble or two in the MLS over the last January transfer window. Jordan Morris and Paul Arriola are well documented, and the chances taken on them on the other side of the Atlantic proved fruitless. They are both now back in the USA. However, and very quietly, one Orlando City loanee in a Barnsley shirt has played nineteen games since his arrival in January, and has scored nine goals. He is what we call a proper ‘danger man’
Pace, aggression and an array of goals is what Daryl Dike has brought to Barnsley since his arrival on February 1st, just three and a half months ago. You want a bicycle kick ? Yes of course in April he did that to beat Huddersfield, you want a goal of the season ? No problem Daryl has that in his locker. In fact nine times he has hit the back of the net for Barnsley since February, and the bad news is it is now confirmed he is available for the play off semi finals against the swans.
Daryl Factfile
He scored his first goal for the club on February 24th in a 2—0 league win over Stoke City. With four goals in six appearances, Dike was named Barnsley's player of the month for March. He also won the club's goal of the month award for a thunderous strike in a 1—0 win over Birmingham City on March 6th. The strike was later voted as the club's goal of the season. On April 21st, Dike scored a bicycle kick in a 1—0 win over Huddersfield Town. The result moved Barnsley six points clear of Reading in the race for the final promotion play-off place with three games to go. On April 28, Dike was named the club's player of the month for the second consecutive time having scored four goals in six games including two game-winners. Having confirmed their playoff status, Barnsley came to an agreement with Orlando City on April 29 to prevent Dike from being recalled during the postseason.
Yes, and all on loan from the Lions of Orlando City SC, He made his debut for the United States on January 31, 2021, as a 65th-minute substitute for Paul Arriola in a 7—0 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago. Now there’s a comparison.
Daryl Dike Dangerman