I’d rather Bobby snap out of it because the two them would complement each other well... they’d also be the start of a strong pressing defense.
Nobody should be surprised given his physical, mental, and technical maturity level, how he was arguably the best player at the u-20 World Cup at 17 years old, and Werder was confident he'd be part of the 1st team before long sight unseen. All they had to do was see it in person and the timetable was moved up even more. Thought the most likely outcome was he'd be part of the 1st team waiting to come off the bench if they were needed a goal from when he was eligible. Starting may take a minute because they're straddling the relegation line. But given they have some time left and if he makes an impression off the bench that could even happen before the end of the season too.
We got the answer to the question is the former FCKer Thomas Delaney even a Yank. The answer is yes, because he gave an interview for Werder, and it was in English, even though they spoke over him in German for their audience. Anyway, they asked him about Sargent. From what I remember of taking German throughout high school, he said something to the effect of: "It was my first training session with the kid. He is very good. At 17 he's big, strong, and technical. Compared to when I was 17 myself I was a little pipsqueak playing with the other boys. He has a big future in front of him. But he should be given time, and I think he'll get it. (I take that to mean not playing time but leeway to fail a bit...taking the pressure off after hyping him). https://www.deichstube.de/news/werd...fers-josh-sargent-lustigen-kruse-9533462.html
This Kicker article says he can't be registered for Werder Bremen's Bundesliga or 3. Liga teams this season. Also of note, the manager calls him an "absolute top talent". Weil er seinen ersten Vertrag als Profifußballer erst mit seinem 18. Geburtstag im Februar unterschreiben darf, kann er in dieser Saison weder für die 1. noch für die 3. Liga nachgemeldet werden. Bleiben also vorerst bis zum Sommer nur Testspiele und viele Trainingseinheiten bei der Nachwuchsmannschaft und im Bundesligakader Because he may sign his first contract as a professional footballer only with his 18th birthday in February, he can not be registered this season neither for the 1st nor for the 3rd league. For the moment, only test games and many training sessions will remain with the junior team and the Bundesliga squad
So, I’ve been having a Twitter conversation with Adam Belz (@zlebmada) and Alex Chaffer (@alexchaffer), who is the content manager for the English Bundesliga website. Alex said Josh won’t be playing this season. I’m trying to confirm with him if this means for all official matches for the first team and Bremen II. But what Alex said does seem to confirm the kicker article that @Mario Balotelli posted upthread.
Interesting, last week Alex said Josh would be able to play right after he turned 18 because of the pre-contract he signed. Maybe he can play with youth sides is what he meant.
You're right. This is what he tweeted on the 14th: He will sign a contract in February and yes, because of his pre-contract, will immediately be able to play.— Alex Chaffer (@AlexChaffer) January 14, 2018 And this is what he tweeted early this morning (the 18th): Sadly, he won't be playing this season.— Alex Chaffer (@AlexChaffer) January 18, 2018
I'm skeptical of his original comment. I don't think simply signing a pre-contract makes any difference at all. Junior Flores (March birthday) signed a pre-contract and he had to wait for the summer to be registered. As far as I know, there are really only three paths: Have the right second passport, allowing you to be eligible for registration prior to your 18th birthday. (N/A for Sargent) Wait for the first registration window after you turn 18. (The Flores route) Register immediately as an out-of-contract professional. (The Haji Wright route) Unless Sargent very quietly signed some nominal contract with someone in the US, he's going to have to wait. And if he's going to have to wait, history shows us that he won't be able to play in any real games - Werder, Werder, or Werder U19. He'll just train and play in the occasional "testspiel" until August.
@Balerion, thank you for that. Maybe the most informative thing I've read about Josh's status up to this point. I'm tagging @zlebmada so he'll be sure to see your post too.
It's pretty simple. He has to be registered by like Feb 1st. It's not a soft registration date either.
I'm not very knowledgeable about these things and this is why I'm asking the question but you can't be registered even with a pre-contract?
He played some u23 matches for St Louis FC so we were assuming he'd be qualifying under the third bullet point
A pre-contract is just a locked-in agreement that a contract will go into effect at a later date (when a player turns 18, when a previous contract expires, etc). But it's a PRE contract. He's not technically under contract until he turns 18 and because he's not under contract, he can't be registered. PDL is an amateur league, so it doesn't count. Otherwise, the rule would be rendered effectively meaningless. Every player under consideration for a pro contract from a Bundesliga club has played in amateur/youth games sometime in the past.
If he didn't sign a short-term contract in the states, can he be loaned out to another league to play right after signing his Bremen contract?