Erik Vaught: Football Editorial 2.8.21

Continued Article “Americans Abroad” below:

…Pulisic is getting the most minutes of the current three players, but realistically he has the most potential and is one of the best products of the United States in recent years. Maybe ever. Thomas Tuchel( Chelsea's manager) has used Pulisic as a tool of utility since his arrival last year. This season Tuchel has used the mercurial American winger as more of a wing back. Trying to transform the player and his style to more of something akin to Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool, but not getting the production he wants. Pulisic made waves when he came to the Premier League scoring 9 goals and laying on 4 assists in his first season as a winger, but that was with Chelsea’s previous   manager Frank Lampard. Since Tuchel arrived Pulisic has only managed 7 goals and 2 assists in about 18 months spread between the current season and the last. We have seen glimpses of what Pulisic can do under Tuchel, but if the American isn't allowed the freedom and structure he needs at Chelsea he may need to move elsewhere. 

    Josh Sargent joined Norwich F.C this summer from Werder Bremen in the German League. He came with a decent track record from The Bundesliga league scoring 11 goals and adding 5 assists in 2 and a half seasons. It hasn’t been an easy adjustment for the young American forward. Competition to start is tough, but rewarding for Sargent who has 4 goals and 1 assist in 20 appearances across all competitions this season with two of the goals being scored in the Premier League. The numbers don't look great but you can see the American is adjusting. On the flip side this does help the American national team for he is playing with higher competition regularly and this will benefit the future of our team. He is putting in the work and looks to be improving constantly. With Teamu Pukki ahead of him in the starting line up and it being Sargents first season it's taken time for him to get on the field. He is mainly playing a part time role as a substitute and we are starting to see his minutes increase as well as his output. We will keep an eye on Sargent as the season comes to an end. I have a feeling next season will be his breakout year. 

Zach Steffen is becoming a solid Premier League goalkeeper even if he's not getting minutes in the league yet. As back up to Ederson he mainly gets minutes from cup matches as stated above. He may need to leave to find himself a starting position and deserves it so he can have a better chance at national level. It's tough for City as well. They recognize his talent and won't let him go easy.  The keeper knows to fulfill his potential he needs minutes. It is never easy playing for one of the world's best teams and the name of Manchester City carries a lot of weight with it. Steffen knows that. He also knows if he can dislodge Ederson from the starting position he would earn himself a place as one of the best 5 keepers in the world. 

  Each player is looking to push themselves and their careers to the epochs of greatness and show other Americans what success in England can look like. Special mention should go to Weston Mckinnie (Juventus), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzeig), Gio Reyna (CM Borussia Dortmund), and Sergénio Dest (Barcelona) all of whom are starting or getting major minutes in the top five leagues of Europe. Keep an eye out as I will look to add to this article as the season continues.