No longer a Barça lounger: Sergiño Dest at PSV (olf FC Barcelona)

Didn't Xavi also quit and unquit and quit a few times as Barca manager?

 

Drama queen.

 

Eccentric, yet beloved ...

https://www.psv.nl/media/video/reportage-sergino-dest-opent-cruyff-court-in-almere

 

That's badass. Its opening was more highly attended than our January camp friendlies.

People dog on him for his personal branding and whatnot, but the guy certainly has vision and takes action. He's no fool. Seems to be a go-getter who takes risks and makes things hapoen, just like his style of play. He's an impressive person.

Im still impressed that he sussed out Xavi and Barca's bullying, intimidation, and manipulation tactics and held strong to his contract. Thats a lot of pressure for a young player in limbo. He made them pay out and ended up in a good situation.

 

He's the anti-hero, anti-cool guy we all need right now

 

He’s probably cool in Holland, which just makes him unusual everywhere else.

 

​

 

Towards the end of November, pics started circulating of Dest training on a pitch, with a ball, but away from the main group:

Rik Elfrink potwierdza, Sergino Dest wrócił do treningów na boisku.
Oczywiste jest że przed Amerykaninem jeszcze długa droga ale ważne że powoli wraca do sprawności#PSV #DEST #EredivisiePL pic.twitter.com/l59hF4fZWZ

— PSVPoland (@PSVPoland) November 22, 2024

Finally, on Dec 1st, Elfrink said that Dest has started training with the rest of the team, but is still not expected to be available for selection until after winter break:

Bosz verwacht dat Mauro en Karsdorp er vrijdag tegen FC Twente weer bij kunnen zijn. Schouten is nog een vraagteken. Dest gaat op vrij korte termijn ook weer met de groep trainen, maar zal pas na de winterstop zijn rentree maken.

— Rik Elfrink (@RikElfrink) December 1, 2024

So, some light at the end of the tunnel for Serg!

 

Such a polarizing player around these parts.... I am a fan. I think he is the best FB in the YA Pool. It could take some time for him to get back to the level he was playing at for PSV when he picked up the knock but I am hopeful. I like him at RB but I love him inverted at LB. I really hope the estimate on his return is accurate. PSV are going to be even that much harder to beat in the Eredivisie w/ Dest playing over Dams.

 

With ARob's okay it's very debatable, but he's definitely the most fun, and most skilled.

 

It may take him a year to get fully back to fitness, but his team will be much better with him. The US needs him more than PSV does.

 

re the above reference to Dest: Absolutely! except when he isn't.

 

Robinson is a beast. As others have said Dest is the most talented fullback and seriously fun to watch, but he is also the stupidest and most selfish player to suit up for the USMNT in a long time.

I’m just glad he’s approaching a return for PSV.

 

Latest Dest news. I just used the AI translation: https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/1248051/dest-terug-bij-psv-in-februari.html

The chance is small that Sergino Dest can already play in January for PSV. February is considered 'behind the scenes' among the Eindhoven team to be more realistic. This is reported by the Eindhovens Dagblad.

If everything is going to be with you, Dest will train again with the group at PSV in January. However, that does not mean that he can also be of value to the Eindhoven team directly in matches. According to the Eindhovens Dagblad, playing against Red Star Belgrade may be doubted in the possibly crucial Champions League match.

There is a good chance that Dest will only play for PSV again in February. Officially there is never a return date reported by PSV. Peter Bosz previously said that it is going in the right direction with the left back annex right back. “We now see him at work individually, on the field,” the coach said.

 

Remains beyond doubt that when both start for the US, we have the "best" outside back tandem in our region and one of the best in the world.

 

Elfrink reported today that Dest has been partially training with the group, but will not be available for tomorrow's match. Based on other tweets, it sounds like he's just a week or two out from a return

Bij PSV is Bajraktarevic dus definitief aan boord. Morgen is hij er nog niet bij. Bosz vindt dat onverstandig. Verder dus voortgang bij Nagalo en Dest, maar morgen nog niet erbij. Driouech traint nog niet bij de groep. Karsdorp wel, nog lichte twijfel over inzetbaarheid morgen.

— Rik Elfrink (@RikElfrink) January 10, 2025

 

I can't wait for his return.... he was in his best run of form before he got hurt. I hope it doesn't take him too long to get his full pace back.

 

Wow. This is nice news. He hasn’t been on my radar because we all just want a healthy Dest. Didn’t realize we were there yet. Very cool.

 

PSV mist Nagalo, Dest, Driouech en Babadi nog tegen PEC. Babadi is al heel dicht bij een rentree. Bij Nagalo en Dest duurt het nog een aantal weken, verwacht Bosz. En Driouech duurt niet enorm lang meer, is het idee. De rest lijkt fit voor PEC-uit.

— Rik Elfrink (@RikElfrink) January 17, 2025

Not available vs PEC, but he is fully training with the group. Bosz tells the press that it'll be "a few more weeks", with the main issue being match fitness due to his extended layoff.

 

Based on that he'll probably be ready to join full training in early February and a return to the bench near the end of the month. After so long out, starts will be a while off but they'll look for cameos off the bench rather than risk muscle strains and pulls

I don't think he'll leave the bench until late March