BBC's Dynasties is an excellent show. They have an episode on painted wolves that will probably scratch that itch for you
Would like to see the kid land some place where he can play. Sebastian Lletget seems like a good role model. Never got a first-team shot after years in Europe, came home, found a good club situation and got good minutes and now is a regular (when healthy) with the national team (and dating a hottie pop-star) while making decent money. It would also be interesting to see him as a case study comparison for Europe vs. domestic development. Compared him to someone like, say, Jackson Yueill. Different positions, but same age, grew up in the same town. One went to college then MLS; the other to Europe from HS.
I figure a lot of guys would like to be the next Lletget and a lot of clubs would like to find the next Lletget and there's probably a reason it doesn't happen very frequently. It would be more or less found money for U.S. Soccer if Akale gets into a club situation next season where he's instantly in, say, the top 30-50 guys in the MNT pool on merit/form, especially given he's so young.
There will be teams willing to give Akale a chance and I think he will surprise people. It’s not a zelalem situation where he’s been devastated by injuries; the talent is there he was just never in a good position club wise. Minnesota United should give him a look. He and Jackson Yueill were club teammates and it’s interesting to see the different paths their careers have taken
Zelalem was already struggling big time before the injuries. The loans to Rangers (then in the 2nd tier) and VVV (also in the second tier) were both quite poor. That was before his first injury.
This was such a long time ago but I recall the Rangers stint being inconsistent but not awful, and Venlo wasn’t a great fit, but he was still quite young and had time to improve. Zelalem was never going to be physically ready at 18-19, but it was good experience. The injury took what was left of his moderate athleticism. Akale too has major physical limitations but is still U23 eligible, and it’s too early to shut the door on his career.
And a splendid, if infuriating ride for BS Thank you @VillarrealCF for all the memories. ‘Twas a splendid ride for my young man and my family. You were a true family to us and will always be that!! https://t.co/MXQ4Jwb6vy— Ralph Akale (@ralogod) August 9, 2020 and, yes I bumped this from page seven largely to sow catnip. Ah nostalgia. Be safe! See ya soon. pic.twitter.com/caGqC2ycTt— Ralph Akale (@ralogod) August 9, 2020
Truer words were never spoken lol I hope he continues to stick it out in Spain, but if a move to the US is what is needed for him to get minutes, so be it
Man there were some real turd comments in this this thread, found a couple of mine (Discussing for instance the shrimpiest midfield in the history of the sport with Pulisic, Akale and Zelalem). Hindsight is a real bitch but giggsy was doing his worst in 15/16. Some real bad takes in there.
Love this thread. I’ll miss it. What a message board career akale had! Enjoy retirement. miss u giggsy
I guess he decided to not tough it out in Europe/Spain anymore. Should have went to an independent club in the Tercera. That's a higher level than MLS let alone USL (where he probably ends up) and key for his ongoing development in his mid 20's.
I do hope the kid ends up playing first team football somewhere. He has sacrificed a lot to even get this far, I'd hate for him to give up now.
I hope for the best for Akale in his next stop. I feel like some people view him a bit more negatively than necessary, and view his struggles to make it at Villarreal with a hint of smug satisfaction, simply because one individual poster (Giggsy) sucked in just about every way.
I wish him well. I admire him for rolling the dice for the road less traveled. Sure, he should've bailed a few years ago when it was obvious it wasn't gonna work out at Villareal but he kept grinding, which I respect. Here's hoping he lands some place where he can get a shot at first-team minutes, even if it's not the most glamorous destination.
He's not family. I honestly forget his name, but I used to know his Twitter account. All I remember is that he was a white dude from Minnesota. As best as I could tell, he was a combo of a superfan of a local kid + a sanctimonious Eurosnob dogmatist. (And I say this as someone with a narrow definition of "Eurosnob".)