Curious to see if he had any explosiveness. Wasn’t he thought of as really quick as well as technical?
He was really quick. As fast or faster than Pulisic at a comparable age, with the caveat that Christian's physical maturation will likely always be one of the weirdest things I've ever seen in youth development. In about 4.5 months he went from above average/good-ish short speed and explosiveness relative to his amateur teenage peers, to blowing past grown Bundesliga defenders like they weren't even there, in his league debut at 17. When comparing that period, Tatiague was a more efficient and more technical dribbler than Pulsic too imo. Tatiague was a player with elite potential from U17-U19 level.
I believe they’re buddies, so there’s bias, but I recall Pulisic stating before that Taitague was better than he was, had more skills, etc.
🇨🇳🇺🇸 Nick #Taitague was named Player of the Tournament at the '2019 Belt and Road Colourful Yunnan International Football Tournament,' where our U23s are on tour. 👏@knappenschmiede #SchalkeUS🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HtNQprRv47— Schalke 04 USA🇺🇸 (@s04_us) December 16, 2019
"2019 Belt and Road Colourful Yunnan International Football Tournament" I'm sure it's shorter in Chinese but that is one heck of a mouthful.
nice to see him back healthy and performing well. It would be nice if he could get a loan for the 2nd half of the season to a 2 Bundesliga team
Going to Spain: 5⃣ #schmiede-Jungs sind mit an Bord nach Spanien 😊⬇Can #Bozdogan - #U19 Malick #Thiaw - #U19Sören #Ahlers - #U23Timo #Becker - #U23Nicholas #Taitague - #U23 #schmiede | #S04inSpain | #S04 https://t.co/9Sd9Ba5FqW pic.twitter.com/a2xDLvRLAy— Knappenschmiede (@knappenschmiede) January 3, 2020
What a surprise. From being left for dead to getting an invite to winter training with the top team. A lot of good news with top prospects and Taitague the most unexpected.
😜😜 #schmiede | #S04inSpain | #S04 https://t.co/iShtBe9VMu pic.twitter.com/70YUQQk5Fp— Knappenschmiede (@knappenschmiede) January 3, 2020 Confirmed that he is on the plane and not limping
Boy heals crazy quick. He's got jelly in this bones and ligaments. It's a great sign he's traveling with the team. If he was truly messed up he'd be back home doing rehab.
Man, this would be a hell of a comeback story if Nick Taitague stays healthy and claws his way onto a Bundesliga gameday roster or is able to crack the first team. What surprising news to start the new year - I'm rooting for the kid.
no actually he is healthy so I am too. Sipping green tea and alternating with a morning kombucha currently.
I've noticed this too. He seems to heal twice as fast as normal. Maybe the same exuberant energy he plays with heals him faster?
On the bench: 📋 Banquillo: 3⃣4⃣ #Langer3⃣ @JMirandaG19 6⃣ @Omarmascarell39 8⃣ #Serdar9⃣ @RamanBenito 1⃣1⃣ #Gregoritsch1⃣4⃣ @rabbi_matondo 2⃣0⃣ #Kenny2⃣9⃣ #Taitague3⃣1⃣ #Becker3⃣3⃣ #Thiaw#S04 | #S04STVV | #S04inSpain pic.twitter.com/5b54gbjzjP— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_es) January 7, 2020