What an odd comparison. While McBride did combine well with others, he was a pure #9 target forward who was great in the air. Sargent isn't any of those things.
Ricardo Pepi vs New York City FC pic.twitter.com/RZ5qu7qZEb— Kranks (@dis_possessed) September 15, 2021
It is true, though. The data show that for players with more than three games, on goals per game there are three top scorers in the pool : Pulisic, Zardes, and Aaronson, and then a big drop off to everyone else
I am super excited by Pepi, and I hope he pans out, but I've been here for a lot of young players who start out super hot. I was just thinking of one player who was scoring a goal every other game when he started in his first year (three goals, six games) and then a goal every three (two goals, six games) but by year three scored zero goals in his seven games. His name was..... Josh Sargent.
First player getting double "balls" (2) BEHIND THE CREST: USMNT Secures Comeback Win in Honduras - YouTube
Pepi seems slightly taller than 6'1''. I think he's going to have to work on his acceleration over 10 yards and strength. Hopefully that gets a little bit better as he grows into his body.
The chatter is increasing on the Euro club front, with a few Italian teams as well as Ajax now being linked to him.
He won’t need it as much as some because he’s going to become more and more physically imposing with strength. You don’t have to outrun a guy when you can keep him on your back.
Ajax is a really interesting choice. They're not going to pay the type of money it'll take to sign Pepi, and then not play him.
a step up in competition, in the right situation could do a world of good. The wrong deal could really stunt his growth. The safe path might be to stay another year but it also might limit potential upside.
This is complicated by him possibly being our #1 forward now. If he goes somewhere and sits up until the WC I don't see how that helps the US team at all. It may help him in the long run but the best would be to go somewhere where he gets tons of minutes and it's a step up from MLS and hopefully the coaching continues his growth. The worst would be going to a Bayern and practicing with the A squad and playing in the German 4th division or a similar in Italy.
Whoever he signs with, the best path is with a mid-table team in a Big 4 league. Think Richards at Hoffenheim.
Shades of Matt Miazga following the transfer to Chelsea. Up until then he had been the hottest CB in MLS.
Zanotta playing his game, which he's really good at. Yeah.......................Pepi is going to be at FCD thru the 2026 WC. Yeah, right. Just reminding buyers that FCD just signed him to a long, long term contract. They're gonna have to pay up to get him. Andre Zanotta told us last week:-Hopes Pepi stays w @FCDallas through '26 World Cup, but knows that's a high hurdle-Feeling good about retaining Pepi through winter window, but knows good summer '22 offers incoming-NO formal offer yet received-One BIG club was in VAN Sat https://t.co/mG36Ooe77G— Steve Davis (@SteveDavis90) September 27, 2021
IMO sitting until the wc won’t help him (other than financially) or the USMNT Either short or long term The ideal position would be a step up in competition where he plays regularly (but not necessarily as an every day starter) 1500-2000ish minutes?
Doyle is dumber than the dumbest posters on here. It is ridiculous he can make a living off this game. “I think we’ve seen with the Josh Sargent experience what can happen when a talented young forward just tries to get to the highest level possible as soon as possible without necessarily having put enough thought into what it could mean for his career development,” Doyle said. “Because from age 18 to 21, Sargent didn’t develop at all. I’d argue he’s actually a worse player now than he was as an 18-year-old because he got put into a situation with first Werder Bremen and now Norwich where he’s on relegation-bound clubs and they just need to get somebody out there on the wing or playing underneath in the half-spaces.”
They only play him if he delivers. If not, he's benched or down to young ajax. Ajax needs to win matches, but also like all Dutch clubs give you time to adjust with sub in minutes. What decides you being on the pitch in the end is your contribution and the perceived progress, not your price tag.