Yunus Musah with the start and smile like he about to destroy 6th division side CD Utrillas pic.twitter.com/YZrGdl3aah— Kranks (@dis_possessed) December 2, 2021
Scores on the rebound of his team's PK: 0-2 | ⌚️ 52' GOAAAL!#CopaDelRey | #UtrillasVCF ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/jnpz3XvhuW— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) December 2, 2021
MOTM: 👉🏽 @yunusmusah8 is today's #MOTM 👈🏽#CopaDelRey 🏆#UtrillasVCF ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/qIy6Vp583Z— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) December 2, 2021
Well deserved MOTM... he was pretty great today against an inferior side. He showed so much great pace up front and a nice touch when playing in the midfield (late in the match). Sure would be nice to see him play more at CDM... he seems like he could be a good candidate to back up Adams at the 6... he just needs a lot more experience there. At any rate... a goal and an assist in a cup match is a very good day for Musah! I hope he can use this as a spring board for better performances in La Liga.
I don’t think he is up to Adams replacement. He still turns off to much, and reacts instead of anticipates. recipe for disaster at the 6. He also has that bad habit Wes has when playing further back. He switches off and loses his mark to often. Much rather play him where he can excel right now.
Musah may have a lot of talent but inexperience still seems to keep him as second choice on a midlevel La Liga club. He would not be considered an essential component at the international level on a "WC- contender".
Pretty much why I wouldn't want him playing the 6 for the US right now... He needs a TON more experience as a holding midfielder at the club level to even approach Adams. Just think he might make a good one if given the chance. Only 19... 2nd year in La Liga... Still time to improve in so many ways.
Musah is someone who is gonna ball out on the international level. He has speed, stamina, and dribbling ability. Think kind of like how Donovan always punched above his weight in the international game. The nice thing for Musah is he's playing in a league where he is going to have to refine his game. If he can make that leap tactically (the technical skills are mostly there) then you have just a midfield engine. Valencia is right to play him on the wing for the same reason he looks good internationally. It plays to his strengths... Long term though I think he needs to be a central player, but the game needs to slow down for him a bit. It's ok for him to dribble through the midfield, but he needs to get better vision. In many ways he resembles McKennie at Schalke. The difference being McKennie was given a ton of reps and played all over the field in more defensive positions. Musah isn't being trusted to be relied upon defensively. Will be interesting to see Musah develop.
To expand. Wes had issues “staying on” playing further back. Remember who forgot his mark, didn’t close in the 1-0 GC loos to Mexico in 2019. He also played in a country more open to youth, and the errors that come with it, than in Spain. Spain expects a lot more tactically IMO. Playing a young guy wide early is pretty normal. Once again. He just turned 19!!!! We have gone from being desperate for talent, to having guys step in for solid to excellent clubs and contributing in their teens. I have seen charts for youth minutes played in the CL, Top 5, and EL teams. I think at one point we were only behind Brazil and Argentina, but have always been right in there with the top producers in the world. That is nuts. Just 3 years ago that would have been an insane thought. Scally doing what he has as a defender in a Top 5 is super rare. Folks worry about 19 year old KDLF at OM, a 2nd place squad right now. Valencia is traditionally a CL, top 6 club in Spain. They have had issues money wise, as many have had, and poor ownership, but Musah will have to learn, and as you said earn that central mid trust. He will be fine as long as his head stays on straight. To much talent there. With Gio, Dest, Musah, Wes, Tyler, and CP we have real talents. Young talents that will stay or rise to higher levels. That is so exciting. Scally IMO is headed that way. The way he plays, the mentality, the passing is not “normal” for an 18 year old. Just a little patience. That’s all. With some more experience and seasoning theses guys will be so much more effective and polished. Want to have guys who can hold their own and make the big boys sweat? We have several now. They are all under 23. Be happy about that.
Didn't he had less stray passes than Adams in the Mexico game? I'm not saying he is better. I'm just saying he may be better than his club thinks of him.
Makes a late appearance in a 2-1 win: #CeltaValencia 🔵🦇⚽ 1-2 | ⌚ 85' 🔄 @skoda_es🏟️➡️ @heldercosta_ + @hugoduro14 + @gomez_maxi9 🏟️⬅️ @gguedesoficial + @yunusmusah8 + @_marcosandre96 pic.twitter.com/BcHhgBmuuR— Valencia CF (@valenciacf) December 5, 2021
Played 13 minutes coming on in 84th minute w 6 added. Played as right forward in. 4-3-3. Touched the ball 3 times. Once on an unsuccessful press in the Celta end, 2nd winning a defensive header (no really) and 3rd collecting a long pass and playing back to a teammate. Ran up and down the wing and was mostly ignored by his teammates. Better than nothing I guess. Valencia won 2-1.
Musa is in an excellent position at Valencia, the club has a rich tradition of developing world class CM's. I imagine next year Valencia will start to move him to CM much more often, as this is his future position. Musa is still growing physically can't imagine what he will like in 4 years.
Good thing for him the US probably isn't a World Cup contender, then. We should be so lucky. He's pretty clearly a top 15 talent for us, and some will rate him at the higher end of that 15.
I thought he was on the right in a 4-4-2, to be honest. Didn't make any material plays for good or ill, which can happen when you're out there for short minutes.