No matter what, Atlanta United’s midfield will take on a new identity in 2020. That’s to be expected following the departure of Darlington Nagbe, with Atlanta’s premier press-resistant midfielder the last two seasons having been traded to the Columbus Crew in November.



Yet the task at hand for manager Frank De Boer shouldn’t be to replace Nagbe. That would be an unfeasible mission to take on, considering how difficult Nagbe’s qualities are to replicate.



“Darlington isn’t a guy that you replace,” said Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan in November. “Replacing him, I don’t think you’re able to go out and get a like-for-like.”



Rather, De Boer now has an opportunity to redefine the personality and the character of Atlanta United’s midfield for 2020 and beyond.



In 2019, the Dutch manager tasked his two central midfielders with establishing possession and managing the...