Vardy is incredibly impressive. Dude just continues to score and score. It's a shame we won't see him on a CL level squad. I'd love to see what he could do abroad.
Officially not playing for USA this upcoming break. Good news. (unless your Berhalter but that's for a different forum I guess)
He's on a Champion's League level squad now. Shall we compare LC with Chelsea? Shcmeichel = Kepa = about even, maybe an advantage Kepa Pereira > Azpi Evans > Zouma Chilwell > Emerson/Alonso Ndidi < Kante Tielamans > Jorgino Maddison > Mount/Kovacic Ayoze < Pulisic Vardy > Abraham Willian > Barnes LC's back 4 and midfield are simply flat out better than Chelsea's. More athletic, more dynamic. The one thing that Chelsea has that LC doesn't. is a dynamic forward like Pulisic. But he alone doesn't make Chelsea a better side. I'd rate LC over Chelsea right now. I mean they went into Anfield, went 50-50 on possesion, and didn't give up the matchwinner until 95th minute on a PK. If they were in the CL right now, they'd probably be one of the better sides. Liverpool, City, PSG, Bayern, Barca and Juve are the only sides that are clearly ahead of them, and even then you're only saying that because of individual talent and not necessarily form, when it comes to some of those sides.
I think it's probably true that most Americans in Europe have lacked tactical awareness, for lots of reasons, and that's before even getting to a more basic need of the average European club player (technical proficiency)... but I mean, who besides tabloids and old-school pundits are saying "player X is poor because he's American?" I think that's a hard argument to find among anyone with any credibility, and especially regarding CP, who if nothing else is a guy that has become a smashing success directly because of his navigation through all these many tiers of the European system! I'd suggest if it's going away it's because more often than not Americans like CP are getting a proper footballing education, which wasn't always a given. I could not agree more about this point... but, again, this is generally, generally, going to be reflected by thick-headed pundits & the more antagonistic tabloids which stir up this shit with no reason other than to try to sell a few extra papers. We can find terrible press and opinions about lots of topics that relate to CP, or Americans in European clubs, or local vs "foreign" players diving... my question is, why are we giving this any attention? Just because it exists? If all you're saying is that it exists, I for sure agree. But lots of terrible opinions and thoughts and agendas exist. That's a low bar.
I am saying that when people post about why X is happening, and speculate about whether these ideas may influence others’ understanding of why X, that is not speculation worthy of ridicule or cursory dismissal. Disagree? Sure. Worthy of mockery? (And it does get mocked.) No.
Now that's how you pull out of a squad without alienating your teammates. Exaggerate that hip injury as you get subbed off, and no one is the wiser.
Pretty much nobody. But if I had a nickel for every time someone on these boards has qualified a postive statement about a player with "for an American"...
That assumes there is not a serious issue. I certainly hope not. He could certainly use the rest if you are a Chelsea fan. Not so much, if you are a USMNT fan. https://bleacherreport.com/articles...of-usmnt-nations-league-squad-with-hip-injury
Not a stat guy, but he had some of the best stats of his BVB career last season as far as stats per min played. As to Frank, I think Frank has gotten the best out of CP. It is preposterous to offer up a counterfactual suggesting he might have done better had he not been benched. His time under Favre, Bosz and Stoeger had almost broken him. He was a chalk on his boots winger or deeper and was not coached to pressure the back line on every single change of possession or to get central press the defenders or shoot when you see the goal. Frank said at the beginning of the season he saw him as a more central player. First time since TT and how he got to BVB in the first place was as a CAM. His first few games CP seemed lost. He and CHO both got in trouble at halftime for not pressing the backline, and shortly thereafter CP got "benched." (Neglecting the fact that Mark said we don't have the full story) When CP came back, he was off to the races at the first hint of a turnover, he shoots when in sight of goal, he pressures the back line with his runs, he is so excited he even puts in an honest defensive shift if the opposing team gets into CFC's half. None of that was happening pre-benching. Even if Frank got it all wrong, it is inarguable that for CP to be mentioned in the same statistical realm as Mo Salah, back to back to TOW, and back to back to top Power rated EPL player is absolutely exceptional. So even if Frank just hates Americans and behaved like a drunken american hating arsehole on 9/11 it is working for CP. Lumpy is on track to be manager of the year if this keeps up. It is doubtful CFC has anything for 'Pool this year, but they look to be right there if 'pool stumbles at all.
I don't think it is. He banged the post a little while scoring his most recent goal. It's probably a bruise.
I dunno being on a Bayern side in the Buli is not the same as playing for any side in the PL. I like Lewa and he is without doubt a helluva striker, but before I mention him as among the best in the world he needs to do it in a league where he doesn't play on an all star team, and most of the rest of the league save 3 or 4, are simply the Washington Generals.
Lol. Bleacher report is crap. Apparently we are not only playing in the Caymans but Cuba has decided that we are going to just play Cayman instead?
Not sure I agree. Auba had similar success at BVB and has done quite well in the Prem. Lewa is quality anywhere he plays.
Agreed. A bruise at most. The fact of the matter is Frank don't want Pulisic in these shitty games and 3G mentally messing him up again, and Pulisic probably have enough of 3G (remember he was f*cking frustrated and crying after sub out against Canada), so Frankie made the most of the goal post bump and gave Pulisic a way out; and CP took it with pleasure. He's going to be running wild against Man City. Now that's a game I look forward to.
Nagging injuries killed half his season last year. This is the perfect opportunity to rest up and get healthy for a long season.
CP has come to camp previously while not 100% fit. This is not enough to keep him away, he wanted to be away.
honestly after his inglorious, asinine benching and the sheer stupidity of the current setup he should send a not so subtle message (by staying in London) that his presence is not guaranteed going forward -- and next time it might be more than just some two bit Nations Cup game. He's in the form of his life playing at the highest level he's ever played at. I wonder what it's like when he steps into training with someone like Lovitz or Roldan on the USMNT. Is it kinda like when you rent a really nice powerful car for a week on vacation then hit the gas on your beater for the commute on monday and feel like the petal is on the floor as you hit 30 mph?
I remember the same. Bosz valued him highly. Stoeger plays him out of position, and Favre just disregard him until the end when he needed him.
Fair enough. He did start well but got worn down and then hurt and that was that. He did get off to a lively start, but the footie was dreadful.