He is taking the professional path that benefits his career. He’s not afraid to do what he has to do. He may be the top American abroad at the moment (which is saying a lot right now given that there are a lot of guys playing well at great clubs). His form has been really good at PSV over the course of his time there, starting from when he walked in to the starting lineup on his first day in. Other American guys who are not getting minutes with their current squad should look at Dest as the standard example. He’s down a level from Milan, but he is playing and he’s playing in the Champions league for a top team in a top 5 league.
That’s strange because Dest has been one of the most professional and intelligent players in the US set up all the way back to when he was a youth player. Not sure where anyone would get the impression that he is “flaky”.
His Social Media stuff makes him seem a bit like Owen Wilson with a soccer ball sometimes, but his career clearly points otherwise.
Not for his bank account... Not unlikely Dest will get a better option, esp if he and PSV keep up this dream start, I was just pointing out the fairly obvious about his current prospects. But van Aanholt, for instance, is a fairly similar defender, who managed fine on some pretty mediocre EPL sides. Dest would be fine at a number of clubs, but would for sure thrive at those that attack well and consistently from the flanks.
Gotta love the audible "oooh" on the pass. That's a 1:20 I can't have back - not sure what I was watching there... I have not seen him be good enough for Barca personally - not to mention how he looked when he was playing with them. Maybe he can get there, but he looked no where near the level when he was there. I do think he is probably good enough to play in a top league - but I think he should enjoy where's at and keep improving.
Even worse than being the RB in the TOW is you would never play him as the LCD in a 3! Ouch. But all TOW are good TOW!
I scour the world (wide web) to custom-curate curious, quirky and compelling content and *this* is thanks I get... Sometimes I wonder why I even bother...
I mean, didn't y'all see the whole Bulls Jersey to the Messi press conference thing... plus the other bizarre social media stuff... Don't know why anyone would think Dest is "thoughtful and mature" - dude seems like an idiot/a bit off to me, which is perfectly normal, plenty of footballers are.
People here fall all over themselves to defend a YA against any negative association. I remember getting crucified in the McKennie thread for questioning his professionalism after multiple Juve incidents and then he got sent home from usmnt a week later. The homerism is disturbingly extreme for the mama hens.
Mmm, after his red card ....praise for him from Bosz a week ago: https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/bosz-prijst-psv-uitblinker-in-balbezit-een-uitzonderlijke-speler Bosz praises PSV star: 'An exceptional player in possession'
So, I don’t remember any blow-ups from Dest when playing at PSV. Does he have a reputation for being a hot head with his club? He was however now sent off twice in USMNT for totally stupid things. One for going after a Mexican player and now the totally brain-dead kicking and screaming incident against T&T. He needs to grow up, that’s for sure. The second yellow was a cardinal sin (literally got a red for it!). When multiple teammates tell you to calm the down and you refuse you have put yourself clearly and selfishly above the team. That sucks big time for USMNT chemistry.
Not sure what one has to with the other here?? Yes, he’s an exceptional player in possession. Getting reds for acting out (totally avoidable reds) is a whole different thing.
Dest seemed off all game. I don't know if it was the tactics or his particular play/effort/desire. He was really static in his movement and only really seemed to want to dribble up the sideline. Apart from the obvious, he has to improve in the parts of his game that are outside dribbling and beating guys
His actions and demeanor in the red card incident came across to me as something born out of an attitude of entitlement in that particular situation. I have my doubts about him doing something like that in a PSV game in the CL or Eredivisie. May he learn some humility from this and come back stronger in the future.
He’s not the first young man to follow a motm performance and early assist with some ‘don’t u know who I think I am’ attitude. The national team in a win is a ‘good’ place to do it, relatively. Hopefully out of his system for a minute.
Telling a pissed off man to calm down is nearly as ineffective as telling a pissed off woman to calm down.
He didn't want to be there. He thinks he's above these type of games. He got into a fight with Ajax captain Tadic his first year starting. He was dogging it, Tadic called him out on it and Dest snapped back at Tadic who then got in his face. I'd never see Tadic get hot like that with a teammate. Read back to what me (and other Ajax fans) said about him when he forced his way to Barcelona. Everything has proven to be true: zero defensive ability, ego, not very coachable, not tactically aware, shuts off at horrific moments (WC!). I'm a US fan who really hopes he does well for club (solidarity/sell on fees) and country (obvious) but I tried to be realistic on him. In a way, Dest's rise was aided by massive strokes of luck. Mazraouai gets hurt so he gets his spot at RB for Ajax. Dest is no where close to his quality... that argument probably has been put to rest -- he wouldn't have played at Ajax much if Maz didn't get hurt. Who knows what happens then. PLUS the Barca move -- Very low level of talent there + Dutch coach + he was cheap due to contract coming up. I don't think being part of the US national team hurt at all too. It was a perfect storm. With all my negativity laid out -- I've said many times in here in the right situation, he can be a very good player. Bosz is the perfect coach for him. PSV is probably the level he should be at. The problem is the ego/headaches are not worth what he brings especially at his position -- he's a rightback not a 9. PSV, lower level CL teams will accept that. Bigger clubs? They'll just bury him (which is what has happened).
He's got an attitude for sure. But entitled? Nah, he's an undersized guy who has likely had to fight hard as hell to be where he is in life.