I think the most likely outcome is that he starts the season in the bench, gets increasing time in US Open Cup, Leagues Cup, and in rotation throughout the season. If he makes himself useful he will get more minutes. He will be able to show the best of his game with NYCFC so if there’s anything there it will show up. If he’s really good he could be a starter by the playoffs.
PSV does not waste a bench slot on someone they don't believe can contribute if called on - esp if they are not young, home-grown and perhaps untapped value.. Why on earth would they carry him on the teamsheet? So he's not sad? Unfortunately for Ledezma, he is at a team that is stacked with midfield talent. and he had some inopportune injuries. Is he sure to pan out as a "top 4" ered level player? Of course not. Is it likely PSV are such poor judges of talent they are writing him into the sheet, and not sending him to play JPSV, which he legit could, when he's not Ered-starter quality? The reality is a team can play 10 outfield players at any one time. It's a bit perplexing he has not gotten late game minutes, but that's not PSV's mission. Their mission is to catch/stay above. AZ, Ajax and Feynie... I got no idea Ledezma's top, but guys who know footie much more than I rate him enough to stick him on the bus.
Still should be close. I think they don't have time for him this season and want to see where he is, where they are in August. Also playing well in MLS is something that routinely brings offers from BL/Serie A/Ligue 1 now.
Who knows… a Club Brugge and arguably an AZ might be but then the question is…..if you’re good enough for those then you should be good enough for PSV, right?
Guys make it to the fringes of the first team at clubs like PSV all the time and never make it in professional football or only make it at a fairly low level. That's how it goes.
Whom specifically has had Ledezma's number of bench appearances (esp non-home grown Dutch) at his age and never made it in professional footie? While there are, of course, going to be some, the majority are guys like Kenny Tete, who couldn't quite stick as a starter at Ajax as a 22-23 yo (or Bert Traore - who was on the bench at AV 19/20 then finally broke through at Ajax and then moved to ligue 1) - went to League 1, took 2 seasons or so to hit his stride and is now starting and starring for Fulham. (I know the Ajax guys better than PSV, but the Lightbulbs have similar players.) Which is not to say Ledezma will, for sure, make good. But the chance of him only making it "at a fairly low level" unless our definitions are very different, without chronic injury issues, is pretty low.
So... it hasn't happened but this time it will? I mean, I can name a good number of 21-23 yo who were bench players at Ajax/PSV/AZ who had perfectly good to really great footie careers. You should be able to provide a decent list of those "never made" or "low levelers."
Yep. It certainly happens that some top Dutch team prospects don't pan out to the level/promise they initially show, but the idea that a significant number of PSV/Feyenie/AZ/Ajax young prospects they bother carrying on the game-day squad (barring injury) don't ever become decent pros simply runs counter to a huge amount of available data. Could Ledezma be one of the exceptions? Of course. Is there much to suggest he will be one of the very few total flops? Not to my eye.
Yes, but maybe there's no route to PT for you at PSV because there are 3-4 others who are just that bit better/more mature than he is and the offers for them don't meet PSV's valuation. Meanwhile, AZ say, have a guy who's ruptured an ACL and another who's lost form and are light in Ledezma's position, so they loan him in and things click - or not. Personally, I doubt it'd be a loan to one of the Eredivisie's top 3 - he hasn't shown that he definitely does belong at that level - but the likes of Utrecht or Herrenveen would make plenty of sense.
PSV bought Erick Gutierrez from Pachuca when he was 23, I think. If Ledezma truly does blow the doors down in MLS, I don't see any reason he can't jump back into the picture at PSV.
If ledezma is going back to MLS it better be to start.....going back to MLS to be on the bench would basically end his international career, imo (and I think he's plenty good enough to start in MLS, fwiw.....but, like everywhere, fit matters)
It will also not be a shock if he does well in MLS and also decides to stay. That’s not a terrible option.
I keep wondering if this is the next chapter of the Yanks Abroad boom - quality players returning to / staying in MLS as paychecks increase as quality of competition continues to improve - at what point does it only make sense to go to Europe for: 1) the guys who can actually command a huge paycheck 2) the guys who are looking for that early career development boost 3) guys who can get material playing time in a top 5 league or a top team in Portugal/Netherlands/Belgium/Scotland and if you're not in one of those categories, MLS should be your best option, or at least very competitive. We may be years away from this peak, but I think there will be a peak "Yanks Abroad" moment.
Especially the more MLS transfers to top clubs. If you can get their from Philly or LA or Vancouver, why not start your career where you have a better chance at PT and your friends/family get to watch (for the domestically raised players.)
Ledezma makes the bench against Sevilla in the Europa League, trailing 3-0 on aggregate from the ugly road leg for which he was not on the bench.
On the bench for a cup match: Everything for the next round! 🏆#PSVADO pic.twitter.com/nOl0PKM9X2— PSV (@PSV) March 2, 2023
He's battling Timmy Chandler for most minutes spent on the bench this season. Sadly they're at opposite ends of their careers
Another disappointing DNP. PSV led 3-0 at 55', and yes, quickly gave one back, but held on for a comfortable 3-1 victory. Three subs used. Did I say disappointing? Yes, disappointing, even given our lower-than-low expectations for playing time at this point.
Surprised by only using three subs, as well as the minimal rotation from the team over last weekend, especially with a relatively tough game coming up on Sunday. But they were so dominant today maybe they weren't burning all that much energy?
I haven’t heard anything specific but at this point I would be surprised if he does end up with NYCFC. With Sands’ return there’s really only two roster spots available on the senior roster, and the development of another 10 option within the roster means that Ledezma is a bit of a luxury option. There’s been no news on that front for 3 weeks.