http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ReserveNewsDetail/0,,10303~489545,00.html Jemal scores the only goal!! in a 1-0 win over Manchester City. The full report is not up yet, but when i checked the Blackburn site earlier, Jemal was listed as a sub before the game. This kid just keeps scoring
I believe he is still playing U-19 (and scoring) while he plays reserves too... (youth players getting ready for big time) The more, the merrier, I say. We don't know which of these kids (multiple?) is going to make it, but the more we have in the pipeline, the better the chances that at least one will turn out to be a real stud (for US Nats)...we need more striking options for 2006-2010- and there is definite opportunity for Buddle or Casey or J. Johnson or E. Johnson or Cooper.... Good luck to the young man..
Yet another player that was ignored by our youth national team coaches. What's done is done but hopefully the US learns from this. Moving on, what this kid is doing is pretty cool. He has to be among the Rovers reserves leading scorers, even though he started the season still with the U19s. With his production, is there any chance he could get a run with the full team? I mean, it's not like Blackburn has Shearer and Owen ahead of him on the depth chart.
Can someone refresh my memory? Was JJ born in the States and went to England b/c he was signed by Blackburn or was he born in England (or born here but his family moved for non-soccer reasons to England when JJ was young). If the latter, what is his citizenship status?
Ignoring? What is this concept of US youth teams ignoring players!? The goal of Youth teams is to further develop players for the Full National Team. If he's being developed what difference if he plays in a U-20 game or get's evaluated in a U-20 camp? The ends is not winning U-20 games. I say stay in touch and watch tape of in person Jemal/ Kenny Cooper and any other youth player but no need to yank him over for a U-20 camp when he's playing challenging age appropriate competetive games against players of his skill level with very good coaching. Full team players are usually spotted with potential from 18-22 years of age which in and of itself limits US based youth teams to evaluate, and 'call-in' players such as J.Johnson and K.Cooper. Youth coaches don't publisize what communication (e-mails, letter, contacts, tapes) they have with overseas youth players. I don't care. All I know is he's American and will play for the US or not depending on how he develops and his skill level.
Perhaps keeping an eye on anybody and everybody who might possibly be on the radar, within reason. JJ's been scoring goals at club junior level at least as well as some of our other forwards, so why not keep an eye on him, and try to cap him at junior level? It's fantastic that JJ keeps scoring goals, just hope he has continued success. If that happens, then the call-ups and further recognition will come.