I don’t think anyone would suggest he wasn’t a skilled professional athlete. But there’s some truth to the notion that he often made an impact greater than you might expect based upon the athleticism and talent he had.
57 Premier League goals is a pretty notable achievement for a Yank. Pepi reaching a much, much higher ceiling means he’ll be incredible.
Clint was one of the most skilled Americans to ever lace them up and arguably our best ever on the collect and turn. He made a greater impact than goal scoring stats suggest because in the run of play he was phenomenal with the ball under pressure and was an outlet/fulcrum. His lack of athleticism and later start overseas was what suppressed him if we're talking about the highest club levels and the demand for him at the time. I like Pepi and his trajectory but at this point doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Clint. Success in the Ered doesn't compare at all to the EPL.
How does success in college and the 2004/5 MLS compare, cause that's the sum total of Clint's career by 22. Dempsey was, in certain ways, the most skilled soccer player the US has produced. He had an unusual and crafty touch, coupled with incredible drive and a poachers instinct. I have no idea if Pepi, who is a very different player, will reach Demps very high level, but at 22... I'd say Pepi has the more impressive resume.
That’s kind of a silly way to look at it though. Dempsey didn’t have those same options. Pepi’s resume at 22 looks a lot better than Vardy’s too but doubtful anyone thinks he is likely to reach the same heights.
Sure, but it's also silly to make any kind of sweeping "top level" declaration of how a 22 yo and a retired legend will compare in 10-15 years, unless you're Nostrodamus, of course. There are tons of variables that go into the kind of career that Demps had or Pepi could have, but to my eye, at this point Pepi plays with some of the same kind of "chip on his shoulder" that Demps carried through his career, which was my initial observation. So I don't really buy he "doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Clint." It's a long way to a career as storied and successful as Demps, but it's not like Clint was a super-human shape-shifting wizard either. Pepi, of the various YA players out there, feels to me to have a lot of quiet FU drive to his career. I think it will likely serve him well.
I do wonder what might have been if Dempsey had tried his luck in say a La Liga or Serie A. He scored 57 league goals in nearly 7 seasons in the Premier League and is still the top scorer in the league for Fulham.
I wonder what if.... a lot. That's why I keep reading the boards. I want to know if the 'what if' ever becomes the 'what is / was'...
Yeah - post I was responding to said "I like Pepi and his trajectory but at this point doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Clint. Success in the Ered doesn't compare at all to the EPL." which is not untrue if you're talking accomplishments, but I was posting regarding his on-field attitude, which reminds a bit of Clints - certainly more than some of the other promising young players - Tillman, Musah, Weah, etc - that are out there. Just a very casual observation. Pepi seems to play with a quiet "I'll show you" that reminds me a bit of Clint. If Pepi stays healthy, I think he's got a pretty high upside.
I agree about the attitude. Also has a crazy strong shot. We were responding to another comment by someone else about Pepi having a much higher ceiling.
Yeah, convo lines tend to get tangled. I got no idea what Pepi's ceiling is. He does seem to score when given the chance - although, as noted, it's "just" the Ered at this point (tho scoring for Groningen when he did was much harder than scoring for PSV most of the time, so there's reasons to be optimistic, esp if you add his Nat team goals.) He just seems like a guy that finds ways to get goals - and has a decent array of weapons plus a gritty someting-to-prove attitude. Hope he can stay healthy and work up to starting in Euro games. Chances to face 'Pool, Atleti, NUFC and Bayern as well as Feyenie, Ajax + Utrecht and AZx2. That's 10 games v. teams that could at least compete in any league out there (well, except maybe Pool... lol).
Someone said Pepi is a far better footballer than Dempsey. That’s the statement I was generally replying to. As of now nothing Pepi has done compares to Fulham’s all time EPL scorer or top three American. He could get there but that argument would be based on a litany of what ifs, which isn’t an argument. Just let Pepi develop. As of now he hasn’t ever scored a goal in a top 4 league.
Pepi has had a better start to his career than Dempsey but to become one of the top two ever has a long, long way to go. Thinking back it's actually kind of amazing how quickly Dempsey was good in the EPL. Not many of our players ever have done that especially offensive ones.
I'm not sure Pepi would ever injure himself punching through a window when told he wasn't starting, like Dempsey did. We're really not likely to see another American player like him.
Bosz started Pepi v. Ajax and Excelsior, Pepi came off in 1st half v Excelsior, took a week off, and has subbed in every game since. Clearly it is still a fitness/physical issue and Bosz is either being cautious or there's a lingering issue of some sort. Hopefully former. Starting Nov 21 PSV have 8 games in 29 days. Those games include Liverpool A, Athletico H and a cup game. I'm not really too worried about Pepi minutes if he's fully healthy. Likelihood is he gets the less competitive starts and Till gets the Europe games, but Bosz will have to platoon/rotate from next week to Xmas - if Pepi's not part of that rotation then something is still off related to the Excelsior (re?) injury.
Hasn't Bosz stated the other guy who was supposed to be Pepis stand in is actually working well tactically within the current structure? If this is him still working back from injury,he's got a long term fitness issue.
Till - who is usually an AM - has been starting as the 9. It is clearly still Pepi working back from an injury/fitness (or at least PSV being super-careful with his reintegration in anticipation of long Euro and Cup campaign as well as a competitive league season). I mean, the guy starts, goes 90 v Ajax; starts v Excelsior, comes off at like 35 injured; not in line up next game, 2nd half sub next 5 games. That pattern is indicative of only 1 thing - care with rehab/fitness after returning from long injury and a secondary knock/reinjury. I don't understand the confusion. If Bosz somehow were "anti-Pepi" he doesn't start him v. Ajax (ad let him go full game) then start him v. Excelsior and he doesn't put him in at 58 in a Euro game. I love conspiracy as much as the next guy, but this ain't it.
btw, PSV win 5-1. Til with the hattie. The big win puts PSV in 1st with a 3 point and +3 GD over Feyenie (reason Bosz tried to run up this score). Feyenie play GAE today.