He’s in no way definitely better than LDLT. At center mid we have MMA, Reyna, Tillman, Aaronson, LDLT, Cardozo ahead of him. And he’s too old with a skill set that isn’t effective against decent teams.
Nagbe is the type of guy who excels against mediocre competition but doesn’t have a skill that would let him succeed at a higher level. He wouldn’t sniff playing time in La Liga because of his passing and he isn’t physically gifted enough to compete in the premier league.
As far as we know, its Nagbe's choice not to be part of the national team program. So, the whole point is moot. I have enormous respect for Nagbe's game. I also think we have a good new generation of central midfielders, and we have more clearly on the way.
But somehow every team he is on becomes better. He must be doing something right. He organizes possession in the midfield. He controls tempo. In many ways he is like Tim Ream who almost everyone put down before the WC. Nagbe's "team" skills are very good, while his "individual" skills are mediocre.
If a coach values a guy who can receive the ball in tight spaces, keep it and move it to a teammate, that coach loves Nagbe because he is the best at that. If a coach wanted that and more, he’s not that guy generally and will be disappointing.
I think it’s an academic conversation since the guy has no interest, but he’ll be 34 next summer and 36 the summer of 2026. Even if he’s never had an injury before he’s very likely he’ll lose a step and not be the same player by then. It happens to everyone and very much a huge risk at that age (and honestly I worry about the same from Tim Ream). And the last thing we want is for that to get exposed at the World Cup. I think he’s a better player than LDLT today. But I also think he won’t be one our best midfielders come 2026. I would have loved to have had him last cycle though.
He seems to have different soccer DNA than the other players. He is completely team focused. We do not have enough of those players. Maybe the previous nat coaches did not value that?
It was never about what he can do, always about what he can't do. A club views that differently than a national team. Klinsmann understood, Arena didn't. Yes, Nagbe sure wins a lot in the league. He must be doing something right.
He belongs in MLS. It's the level he can excel at. And he's well aware of that it seems to which is a sign of a strong self awareness. Like Morris, they love where they're at and are paid handsomely.
Actually Morris is likely to leave for tougher competition. Which would be a point of significant differentiation. Morris should be the guy we are discussing post MLS Cup. He actually has a chance to grow into a important national team player.
I wouldn't call Nagbe but where'd you get the idea he's not a good passer? He's very accurate if not very exciting. Mush played a ton in La Liga and is a notably inaccurate passer.
Nothing wrong with working where you want. If Nagbe had been interested, he could be a World Cup veteran like Jordan Morris.
I think Nagbe's skillset is effective against ANY team. Whether his skillset is what the USMNT needs is for debate. But the dude continues, at 33, to play really frickin well. And shows no signs of slowing down.
The national team was a freaking disaster during the period he was playing. It would be worth while to see him play in a game model that actually suits him instead of judging him based on whatever the hell Klinsmann was doing. You say he can't pass, but ball retention and circulation are where he excels. That takes physicality, too.
Nagbe also got paid $1.8 million this year. He seems to really want to be part of MLS, and they're paying him to be there. It's hard to know what his place in the USMNT structure would have been in the 22 cycle. Could he have made it? I guess so. Its not clear, though.
I watch Musah every week at AC Milan. He's been a pretty good passer there, although somewhat like Nagbe his final ball isn't there yet. And he is proven at a much higher level than Nagbe. Musah is also an adequate defender (unlike Nagbe) and way more athletic. If Nagbe was playing at a higher level with much less time and space, his accuracy would drop way down.
Not lately. Our possession sequences have been weak, but because we just spray the ball around aimlessly before settling for a low-percentage cross into the box without a true number 9.
You think Nagbe would be effective against Manchester City and Real Madrid...ok...that's quite the hot take. I guess you can say that because he has never sniffed the field against any top team in a real competition.