So he's at 2 goals in the league and 3 goals in all competitions now, right? That's pretty good for the minutes he's getting, though of course 2 are pks.
That’s for sure. Transfermarkt isn’t determinative but it is a data point that there are only 4 clubs in Eredivisie with a market value over €50M. Almere has a MV of €14M.
At Pepi’s age, Altidore was a big guy that was most comfortable out wide. Wasn’t much of a header then, either.
Jozy should have gone to Ajax or PSV when he left Alkmaar instead of Sunderland. Pepi was smart to keep in the Eredivisie.
He was four years older than Pepi at the time so I think moving up to a better league was the right call. I hope Pepi isn’t still in the Eredivisie at 24 or 25. To be honest I’m still not sure I really like him having left Augsburg without giving it another go,
In 2023 it's easy to say that. Pepi is fortunate to have the example of Jozy before him. I agree that Pepi made the right decision, but he also benefits from ground laid by Jozy and many others.
Of course for young players, timing is everything (or at least a lot), but Jozy was unlikely to significantly up his tranfer fees and over-all career total earning with another year scoring at AZ, unless he really stepped it up a gear. He was 4 in the Erede, and had over 30 goals in all comps... He was 23? going on 24? I think... He might have made a smarter transfer than S'land, but I'm not sure he get more money from Toronto no matter where he was playing. I guess maybe he could have stayed in England longer and made the big money a few more years... but it's all hypothetical. Reality is, at some point you have to swim in the deep end where the gold bars have sunk. Knowing the "optimum" time can be tricky.
IMO he's gonna get a start within the next 3-4 matches. Going off both Bosz's recent comments and performance. Next step for Pepi will be convincing Bosz rotating him in as a starter every 3 or so matches for De Jong helps the team. I do think that's the plan tho. They're going slow but at the same time I have never seen Pepi look as confident as he has the last month. Looks a little more clinical with his touches too. Decisive.
I remember our Dutch buddy at the time saying his coach thought he needed to stay as he still had a lot to learn about the position. I think it was born out to be true as only later did he play more like a CF instead of a winger. Sure seems to be a common thing among younger forwards. They don't like getting banged on by older, stronger center backs. Once they add years and muscle they are better at it. It's one reason I like Pepi as he already plays like a real CF and doesn't shy away from spots CF's should occupy. He could become a monster as he gets stronger.
If they have a plan for him that's great. Sure seems the teams there are really good at training players how to get better. Not all do though so must be a talent and willingness to learn thing too.
The goal came at a great time. Makes the coach look like a genius given his comments the other day and reinforces that he's ready for more minutes. The only problem is de Jong seems like the kind of player who thinks he should play every minute of every game. Makes it hard when he's your captain...
When the inevitable is in sight, it is natural to try to beat it back. I am not hoping for an injury to de Jong, but pushing is one way to do it. Check Aaron Rogers. It would be in his best interest to dial his minutes back for his own longevity. Although he will probably not see it that way.
De Jong just won't come out of the lineup. It's totally American free this time. Pepi & Tillman bench. https://x.com/PSV/status/1707055797694337229?s=20 Game's on ESPN+