It is what I caution as well. So many young players under 20 look amazing, especially for their age. Germans, Brazilians, Argies, Spaniards, almost every English player with a break through year. And all of the sudden - they stop developing. I am not saying this about CP. But I am saying that this is what happens more often than not. Though it would be extremely disappointing to me, I would not be all that surprised if he doesn't become the next Reus and ends up in a mid-tabled club at 27. I have seen it too often. Hopefully this time is different. Is there such a thing as peaking to soon? I think so.
It's easy to draw false analogies when it comes to young players. Morrison's talent was complicated by his poor attitude and antics. While I don't disagree that we should all excerise some caution with CP, the American's head has always been in the right place. His maturity and professionalism are actually some of the most impressive things about him.
Yup, Our top basketball players are usually hyped 10x more from a younger age than our soccer players, but usually the ones who make it have hood work ethics and good injury luck and vice versa.
We can't overestimate the importance of mental ability and character traits. There are so many players with terrific technical and physical ability, but so many don't make it due to something lacking mentally. Conversely, we can critique certain players regarding their technical abilities, lack of athleticism, etc., but they maximize themselves due to their superior mental abilities. We can all think of examples, but one that comes to mind for me is Gyasi Zardes. Here's someone who is constantly ripped for his poor first touch and other technical flaws. Yet, he keeps going. He's humble, hard working, optimistic, grateful to be playing in his hometown, always listening to more experienced players, like Robbie Keane, and is all in for his teammates. I think he's a fantastic role model, and I'm just sorry that he didn't get all the tools he needed to be a truly elite player.
But young basketball players aren't hyped any more than soccer players here, esp those at top clubs. The top clubs are notorious for eating up young talents. I believe Pulisic looks like he will come good. I think that even if he tops out soon, he'll have a very nice career. I just, as the season nears, am trying to head off the disappointment when he doesn't get starts or minutes and isn't propped up as the next big thing. Being careful with a very young player is a very rare and very good thing. That said, as I've noted, Dortmund is a smart club and a good club, and seems to have a heart. He's in a great spot to develop. But what happens this year as far as stats go doesn't matter that much. Better that he's positioning himself for a solid 15 years down the road, then a couple games extra games right now.
Even if he doesn't make it at BvB he'll catch on somewhere else. He'll be fine. He has so many things going for him, not the least of which is his dad, Mark, being there with him in Dortmund. Barring major injury he will have a long and solid career.
CP has his dad with him in Dortmund, which I'm pretty sure knows more than any of us about danger of overhyping, and, looking at Chris doing a great job of keeping him level headed. Not worried about that.
I don't know his dad or what he is like as a person. What I do know is that some dad's are also their kids mangers and are directly responsible for their downfall and burning bridges. Hopefully this won't be the case.
It's definitely not the case. http://343coaching.com/podcast/socc...pulisic-mark-borussia-dortmund-podcast/?ref=2
this is a bit unrelated but what are some good soccer related podcasts that some of you guys listen to? I already listen to SI's Planet Futbol and Men In Blazers.
Total Soccer Show just started going to five days a week. They are a pretty easy listen and cover a lot of US MNT and WNT.
Yeah they're decent. Howler podcasts are pretty good too. Overall this board knows much more about YAs than any podcast I've ever heard.
should be close to their starting 11 imo Weidenfeller, Schmelzer, Burnic, Sokratis, Piszczek, Weigl, Pulisic, Kagawa, Götze, Schürrle, Aubameyang #bvbath pic.twitter.com/lMfRIR7fsS— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) August 9, 2016
uneven game to this point (34th min)...BVB dominated early on but Athletic Bilbao scored off a deep turnover (BVB caught with a lot of players breaking up) then put BVB under pressure for a long time players seem to be treating it like a friendly except for some kind of nasty challenges...interesting to see if it escalates CP not particularly standing out...failed to run with Aubameyang and so was slow to a ball off the post although the flag went up late late late late, shanked a shot on a difficult rebound (ball was spinning and bouncing), one loose touch deep in BVB's defensive third that led to a turnover but no damage done. Really finds good space but still looks like a teenager playing with men much of the time - tentative and content to play a supporting role rather than looking to take on the game - just my 2 cents. And then of course he does make an aggressive play and almost turns the game around...should I not do PBP for a friendly? 43rd minute, jumps a pass from GK to CB and gets through on goal, beats the GK from the right hand side but ball caroms off the inside of the far post - an inch off (disagree a little with the Duke below, not an easy shot to beat the GK on that angle).
Pulisic stings the inside of the post on a breakaway he created from his pressure. Should do better with the chance. He's been a little off from the 10 minutes I've seen. His balls have been inaccurate. Looks a little jumpy.
He seems to have a knack for creating turnovers off of his defensive pressure. I've seen him do it a few times, he even did it with the National team against Argentina I believe.