Hard to say even in watching most of his games. He’s not a nonstop engine player like Adams, Aaronson, and McKennie are (maybe not McKennie this season), but isn’t far off. There’s been a few instances later in the game where a fast player gets by him and he doesn’t hustle back quickly on defense. Either because he’s too tired or doesn’t think he can catch up. I’d say he has CL level speed with the ball for the DM that he appears to be (he also plays further up sometimes), but his recovery speed may not be CL level. Although it’s better than what I’ve seen watching Atencio on Seattle. At 18yr years old it’s possible his speed hasn’t topped out yet. He gets involved in offense and defense given that his position changes game to game and sometimes in game. When he plays at DM it does feel like he’s running around more than most DMs because he’s more involved on offense. He’s definitely more of an 8 than a 6, but his offensive ability makes him flexible. He’s not a 10 though.
I think he's fast enough, but the question will be more the total package. Unlike say, a Pulisic, Buck doesn't really have anything that stands out. He's an all around guy. So I think he could play in Champions League, but if you mean play regularly for a perennial Champions League knockout team ... I don't know that anyone is going to look at him and find a reason to acquire him, you know? Pulisic has/had a lightning first step and strong ball control. Buck isn't as skilled nor does he have a standout physical talent. He's not the prospect Pulisic or Reyna were. But could he end up on a team that plays in UCL and acquit himself well. I'd say that is within a realistic ceiling for him. My favorite parts of his game are how he shields the ball while usually moving forward, and his vision, composure and mentality get him a lot of line-breaking and danger creating passes where others would dump it off or backpass. He doesn't seem content with that generic short pass that does nothing. He's always looking to create an advantage, which I like.
I agree he’s a good all around player which is probably why Bruce hasn’t figured out the ideal position for him yet. Good points about where he’s excelled. To add, he has quite a shot. He’s had two goals, one 1-2 weeks ago was quite memorable of course. There was another one called back due to interference that was quite good and he’s had other shots with quite a lot of power and accuracy. His ability to provide a dangerous shot from outside the box is a bright spot in his game. Especially compared to the lack of finishing ability we’ve sometimes seen with our players, particularly at the U20 WC. He definitely needs to go somewhere in Europe soon, but it’s hard to decide if it’s better for him to go next month or in the winter. If he goes in a month then he’d be with his new team for the preseason but might not be quite ready. If he goes in the winter he’ll have a few more months of experience but fewer prospective clubs given the smaller transfer window and less time to work with new teammates. Also depends on where he’d go. Best option could be a deal next month where he’s loaned back to NE for the rest of this MLS season like we’ve seen often.
Good point on the shot. I feel like we have a lot more young players with a distance shot these days. Buck is very hard for me to read in terms of the next level. We've only had a half season of him, and he's not destroying the league or anything, so I think a summer move is premature. He hasn't even gotten a chance to go through the usual run down a young player gets in their first real, full season. Going 18 months straight is too much, I think. So if he does get sold, a loan back then a half season at the new club where he's not expected to play and then into it makes a lot more sense to me. I just don't see it with a lot of the names mentioned. It screams loan army to me. He's not good enough for a top team now, and might never be. He's not even flashy enough for a top team to eat some time. At the highest, find a spot like Paxten or Paredes or Wes did. Mid to lower table Bundesliga team, maybe with some aspirations. Even the Eredivisie. Have a real shot at playing time. He's not Bellingham or Camavinga or something. Unfortunately, with the UK passport, it's likely there. I don't know if I see a great fit. Scotland is not any better; the EPL is not going to be great for development. The Championship ... I guess? I wonder if that's really a better developmental environment. An EU passport is so much better.
I thought Buck was incredibly sluggish last week against Atlanta. Not something I’d noticed before - quite the opposite in fact. He looks like a + athlete already and who knows how he’ll grow. Stylistically he’s got a great left peg and is hard to dispossess. One of my favorite player profiles for the middle of the park. He’s in a great spot with the Revs, and I hope that allows him to be picky with his next stop.
Yea I agree with you on the Bundesliga. Maybe this is an edge case but I didn’t feel like Paxten Aaronson was destroying the league and he got sold to Frankfurt with playing time this season. Maybe it depends how well a prospective player fits what they’re looking for a how big of a prospect they believe that player to be.
Do we know if Cremaschi is going to play for us? I want to follow him but not if he's going to play for Argentina.
Something of interest that I just heard:Former Union academy prospect Bajung Darboe is headed to LAFC.Darboe started in Minnesota's academy, moved to Philly when it was dissolved, then couldn't sign here in part because Minnesota tried to re-claim his homegrown rights.— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) June 9, 2023 Philly refused to trade Minn for Darboe's rights (When will MLS end this BS?), but LAFC did. Continues a commitment from LA to build depth with young US-eligibles. Hopefully Darboe gets his shot, he is still very young (2006). No word on how much the trade was.
Is that what that said? Or is Darboe just heading to LAFC's academy? He's an out and out winger, I think, so he's better off on a team that plays them. Providing Minnesota will actually let him sign.
He says a small sum will be paid by LAFC for his rights. Not sure if it is a Next Pro deal or HG but probably a HG that goes into effect next season.? Either way I expect he will get more minutes at NP level this season. Doesn't look great for Christian Torres the 2004 in LAFCs first HG class.
I like Dueñas' game. He appears to maximize his physical tools by keeping his head on a swivel, reading the game well, and varying the ways he receives the ball. His touch and playing tempo are not limiting factors of his game. Bodes well for the future if LAFC are developing players who can snap right into the first team from a tactical and technical level. I dont know much about Darboe's game, he was listed as a CM in the Union academmy. @jaykoz3 any insight on how he might project as a pro?
✅ OficialOrlando City SC anunció la contratación del centrocampista 🇪🇸Alejandro Granados (17 años), quien estará disponible para el encuentro esta semana ante Colorado.El futbolista participó recientemente en la Euro U-17 con @SEFutbol con buenas actuaciones. #OrlandoCity pic.twitter.com/ColkLAGw6n— Manuel Vaquero (@ManuVaquero_) June 9, 2023 17 year old recently with Spain YNT
It's difficult to say. The Union wanted to sign him but couldn't because........MLS Homegrown rules. Apparently Minnesota got rid of their Academy and the top kids all left. Darboe ended up in Philly. Then when Minnesota got their MLS Academy up and running MLS decided that Minnesota would have the Homegrown rights to all of the kids who had left previously when the Loons ended their Academy. Darboe left Philly when he turned 18, frustrated because he couldn't sign there. He went on trial with a number of teams in Europe. I'm pretty sure Darboe got PT with Union 2 a bunch as an Academy player. He was with Philly for a while too. It's really BS that the Loons get to make another MLS team pay them money to sign a kid that NEVER played in the Loons academy in MLS. This is a sore subject for the Union FO. Then again they've been fined for "poaching" academy kids so make of that what you will.
With all the goals LAFC has scored I was hoping Duenas would get a goal or an assist by now. As long as he keeps getting minutes though that goes a long way.
Sounds like it’s a possible knee injury. Must have picked it up in practice. Hopefully he’s back next game.