Yes, but they're always slight. On the other hand, he's already at a pretty high level. I just don't understand why this thread has become a conversation about what Akale is not. I just want to read about his activity, see some video clips and not have to wade through pages and pages of a bullshit pissing contest where everyone is trying to prove how they should really be working as a ********ing scout somewhere. Mukwele Akale, he plays for Villareal B in the tercera, he's 22; he'll probably still get better but he might not, most players who make the first team have gotten a sniff of it already, some bloom later. ********ing fine. Maybe we should start an Akale in 3 years thread. Not directed at @kruck by the way
WTF @bungadiri Akale was big part of our youth national team program. He was a member of our u14 team, at Bradenton with an odd year birthday, captain of the u18, and no idea why he wasnt at u20 WC. He has played in friendlies for Villareal's first team and a member of of the top team of the spanish third division. He is one of the most talented young American attackers. He is in a much better environment to develop his talent than most americans.
Because he was cut “‘How did I not pick Mukwelle?’ I mean, that happens every cycle. There are a couple of players every cycle that you look back and you go, ‘Wow.’ I just couldn’t fit him into what we want to do this time” - Tab Ramos 5/11/17 Anyway, I just wanted to answer this question straight from the horses mouth. But I’m going to duck out of this thread for awhile
I gave folks a heads up that I was going to remove posts, particularly those that were directed at other posters. I also consistently tell people that national team discussion belongs in the USA Men and US Men News and Analysis and that YA threads are reserved for discussion of the player's club career and events related to it.
Starts for Villarreal B. #CanteraGrogueta | Alineaciones📝⚽ del partido del #VillarrealB en Sabadell (17.00h, @footters). Sempre Endavant! 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/i4ey7ogYTm— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) February 17, 2019
Akale came on right at the 76 minute mark after going down 2-3. He started out wide left, but moved wide right 5-10 minutes after coming on. His play was mixed. He had a poor touch in the middle of the field and tied to play a long diagonal ball to left side that was unsuccessful. He had two nice plays where he slotted guys in behind the back line after creating off the dribble. In the 82nd min, he cuts inside from the left, stops and turns before passing to wide player who played in a dangerous cross. Right at the end of the 85th minute, he picked up the ball wide right, cut inside completely losing his defender played the ball into the striker who drew a corner kick. These type of plays are what make him so interesting to me. Too bad no video of his game last week where he went 90 mins.
Akale started for Villareal B today. Game started about 20 mins ago. I just started watching a few mins ago. He is wearing the #8 and looks to be playing centrally.
It finished 1-1 but Villarreal scored the equalizer in the last minutes of the game. The goal is 100% worth watching so I put it here: https://streamable.com/00ubg
So in terms of first-team minutes, should we be rooting for Villareal to go down with the thought being Mukwelle could play with the first team in the second division? They are currently tied for second from the bottom, two points clear of safety. Can't see a team fighting for its first-division life giving a young kid like Akale any run in La Liga until they are safe or eliminated and that could go all season, meaning Akale's chances of first team minutes this season are slim. Here's hoping for the best.
If that’s true, maybe it will turn out for the better. Maybe it will force him to move somewhere he can get some first team minutes.
why do you think "first team minutes" are so important? He is playing real games at decent level technically and tactically. I'd much rather him be playing in third division in spain and continuing to develop than play for Scottish team outside Celtic and Rangers.
Because he's cutting his career short. The playing span of a professional soccer player is small and you only have so many years as a pro. Development is important but at some point you have to treat it like a job and go out and earn $$. This is your career. While you can earn money at lower levels, first team minutes usually pay a lot more. He's 22 years old now. I'd say it's near critical next season to be a first team player.
I swear Akale is the only grown-ass American playing in a third-tier reserve side anywhere in the world for whom "he really needs first team minutes" is a controversial statement. It's wild.
Most people who follow soccer relatively closely think first-team minutes are important for players Akale's age and younger. Donovan just said this the other day about it with regards to Pulisic, "He is now either 20 or approaching 20 and needs to be playing games so that could be concerning," Donovan said. "It is hard to turn down the allure of going to somewhere like Chelsea but it's the same argument I've made since I was 20 years old, when people ridiculed me for leaving [Bundesliga side Bayer] Leverkusen, if you are not playing games at that age, you are getting worse." It's also a huge reason the entire loan system exists. Clubs all across Europe and the world send out their youngsters every year to get first team minutes at the highest level available. The actual playing of first team matches his hugely important in a players development.
Oh, have you not heard? The reserve/third team for relegation-fodder Spanish clubs is superior to the first divisions in most countries worldwide, according to BS lol. In all seriousness, I’d like to see him move to a league where he’s playing against men, not just the kids and career tercera/Segunda players, he will be one of them before too long. It’s awesome to be able to watch him play, and he’s certainly different than most American players I’ve seen, but at some point, something has to change
Just to clarify for folks who may be unfamiliar. Spain's 3rd division is 80 teams; four groups of 20. Villareal B currently sits in 2nd place in group 3. The top 4 teams from each group qualify for a playoff. That playoff determines which four teams get promoted to the Segunda Division. As has been mentioned, if Villareal are relegated, then Villareal B cannot be promoted to the Segunda Division. However, if Villarreal stays up, they can be promoted to the 2nd division.
If they move up (and Akale can play in the second division... seen rumor he cannot), he will be taking another step up the ladder
How is he not taking it like a job? He is getting paid and playing against professionals. Only handful of the teams in the 3rd group of the 3rd division are second teams, so the majority of the teams they are playing against aren't just younger players like Villareal B team. Here are the 1997 who went to the u20 world cup. Which one of these guys is in a better situation than Akale? Sebastian Saucedo ,Tommy Redding, Gedion Zelalem, Jeremy Ebobisse, Justen Glad, Derrick Jones, Jonathan Klinsmann, Erik Palmer-Brown, JT Marcinkowski, Aaron Herrera, Eryk Williamson, Brooks Lennon, Danny Acosta, Emmanuel Sabbi, Cameron Carter-Vickers All sports have late bloomers and players whose careers extend well beyond what anyone would think is reasonable. Isn't Beasley still playing and Sargent being mentored by a 40 year old? There are tons of Americans that didnt start playing "first team" football until after turning 22. A couple that might in an all-time best XI or at least be in our pool today include... Geoff Cameron (22 MLS), Brian McBride (22 Second division Germany), Tab Ramos (23/24 Second division Spain), Eric Wynalda (23 Bundesliga), John Harkes (23 Second division England), Eddie Pope (22 MLS). It is relatively new that we have many Americans playing at a high level early in their careers. These notions that a player working through a system or putting in time at a second or third division league while 22 or 23 years old is some failure or poor career choice is nonsense. This to me seems like the exact path players should take. The kid is still improving each step for him is attainable and hopefully at some point he makes a big jump. I have no idea if Akale will get to a top level, but I dont see the reason for people righting him off. I am much more excited about a player with Akale's skill set and being in a program that develops players than somebody like Corey Baird who is a year older and playing for RSL.
What other American's are at third division clubs. It looks to me that the level isnt too far above Akale's level, so dont see why he needs to do anything different. Maybe he could play at a higher level but he is playing, getting experience and improving. I dont understand this "first team minutes" idea. What is the difference from playing on a first team in the third division or playing for Villareal B? If one is better, I'd think it is Villareal B as they are younger, more innate talent, and play a more technical and tactical style. I think would be much better for a 22 year old. We have plenty of players in second division leagues. Is it ok because they are first teams or should they be in first division leagues? So if it is about being in first division leagues, then I think it has to be quality first division leagues. I dont care about league comparisons. I focus on specific player situations. I think Akale is in a much better environment than most of the 22 and 23 year olds that are in MLS. He has a clear path to grow his role on his current team and getting promoted to the first team. I dont see what is so wild about anything I am saying. What I think is wild is that anytime a players career doesnt meet the trajectory of people on here, the first suggestion is return to MLS which has a horrible track record of developing players and playing small, young, technical players like Akale.
I thought the general rule was for a player to find his level and continue working their way up? The use of loans vary by country and even club. It appears that Spanish clubs and VIllareal specifically have more extensive reserve system. Some countries dont even have reserve teams while Villareal has a second team currently in the third division and a third team in the fourth division. MLS teams rarely loan players to other first division clubs so again odd that people want players to come home.
So the guy who greatly underachieved his potential and we were supposed to not criticize his decisions so he could do what he wanted to be happy is raising concerns about another players decisions? The first part makes me question whether we should pay attention to his views and second is the typical hypocritical stuff that comes from him and his fans. Not sure how this applies to Akale. He is playing games. I'm not sure how competitive Villareal B could be with MLS teams today, but I would bet on them against most MLS teams circa 2004 when that individual was 22.