Rood-Witten (& Blau) Malik Tillman at PSV America (olf Bayern Munich)

It's also a bit deceptive, if we are really interested in honest analysis, not to note that he has "appeared" in 17 games, but only started 5. He has less than 15 minutes in 5 of those 17 games. He has played under 3 national team coaches - one on the way out, the other interim - as opposed to the same PSV coach for 2 straight season and 50+ appearances.

It is certainly possible he will never be the same player for country that he has been for 2 clubs now, but it's a bit weird not to look at the opportunities and circumstances, esp for a 22 year old player, when making determinations. If he gets a decent, consistent run of games with Poch - or any coach - and a relatively consistent line-up and is not contributing, maybe he's just a club player. But the circumstances of his national team appearances are very different than his club and I'm pretty confident he will find a way to be useful at both levels.

 

I would not say passive. PSV is ball-dominant so they can be patient, work the ball around to get a good opportunity, win it back and get another.

That is not the case with the US. Check out this strike, has he ever had that opportunity with the US?

Malik Tillman maakt op schitterende wijze het 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣e doelpunt van PSV dit seizoen! #psvher

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 14, 2025

 

I would say he is "cagey" rather than "passive." He gets praise for his pressing but it's a different style than, say, Aaronson. He knows how to occupy space and be opportunistic. It may not look like he is imposing himself on the game, but he often forces it to be played around him - and tends to be in good position when the transition opportunity comes. Now, PSV is a dominant team in a league with a wide range of ability. As was Gers. So it remains to be seen if he can continue to be as effective with consistently better competition (and perhaps consistently better cohorts.) That will be the next test.

 

Malik Tillman is an insane talent. Has 15 goals and 5 assists this season after being pushed into a deeper midfield role for PSV, including 5GA in the CL. 6’1, loads of pace and can also play advanced. Was unfortunately injured when we played them this season (he’s injured a lot) pic.twitter.com/UWojXg9RnE

— Anfield Fix (@AnfieIdFix) May 15, 2025

 

NARRATOR: He has not, aktually, been injured "a lot." (33 apps in all comps this season, 2500 mins, with 2 games to go. He had one injury this season that kept him out almost exactly 2 months. 23-24 he had 40 games in all comps, 2300 mins, and missed 2 league games to injury...)

Otherwise - on board with this.

 

VI writes about MT:
The decline and resurrection of PSV have coincided with the absence and presence of Malik Tillman.
The only logical explanation for PSV's curious season is the name Malik Tillman. The American all-rounder shines in the phase in which the reigning national champion in December thanks to gala performances against FC Utrecht (2-5), FC Twente (6-1) and Feyenoord (3-0) runs away from all competitors. Tillman is injured in the period that PSV drops between mid-January and early March twelve points in six games. He comes from the bench without match rhythm during the direct confrontation with Ajax (2-0 loss) in which PSV's last hope seems to evaporate. Tillman's first starting spot coincides with the winning streak that leads to the lead again.

The statistic that says it all:
with Tillman, PSV has a winning percentage of 84 percent in the Eredivisie this season, without him the same number is 37.5 percent.
With the midfielder as a starting force, PSV scores more often, concedes fewer goals and the passing accuracy in the opponent's half increases. Tillman makes Peter Bosz a good coach. The coach himself admits this after the 4-1 win against Heracles Almelo, in which the playmaker has once again made the difference with two goals and an assist. 'We can use Sergiño Dest and Malik Tillman again. Then you can put any trainer in front of the group. Every coach wants to use such players. They determine whether you achieve results or not. And whether you are a good trainer in the end or not.'

 

Then you can put any trainer in front of the group. Every coach wants to use such players. They determine whether you achieve results or not. And whether you are a good trainer in the end or not.'

So, basically PB says the USA coaching sucks

 

That's of corse one possibility. Another is the team isn't built around him and his strengths and a one more is PSV is a lot better against their opposition is than the US is against theirs.

I think an interesting question is if he hadn't declared for the US would he be getting any looks with Germany?

 

I don't know Germany's u's that well, but looking at two recent line-ups it looks like MT's German competition/cohorts would include players like Brighton's Brajan Gruda, Frankfurt's Ansgar Knauff, Mainz' Paul Nebel, BMG's Rocco's Reitz, Cologne's Eric Martel, Nurnberg's Caspar Jander, to name a few. Most of those are 2002's. A couple of B2's in there. I've seen a bit of Gouda, Reitz and Knauff, but not enough to have a strong opinion on relative strengths. Don't really know Jander, Nebel or Martel. There are other guys on the squad as well that would be his competition. Any of our German-knowledgeable crew want to opine?

 

Scored the insurance goal in a 3-1 win:

(1) PSV on X: "MALIK!!!!!!!!!!!!! #SPAPSV 1-3 https://t.co/r8qhx1xBXI" / X

 

Crazy that they ended up winning.

 

Wow, very up and down season for this group and ends on an up!

 

According to the ESPN announcer, Tillman picked up the nickname "Tequila TIllman" during last year's title celebration.

 

The goal. Congrats to Malik and PSV, what a remarkable finish to win the title.

 

Everybody laugh at Ajax.

 

Back to Back league titles and Champions League R16 appearances

 

The Americans doing a hell of a thing in the Netherlands!

 

Another well-Earnied title?

 

Tillman and Pepi end up tied for 2nd for most PSV league goals with 11. Lang and Saibari also have 11, but Pepi has most goals in least apps. (18), Tillman did it in 25. Lang and Saibari have 28. LdJ wins with 13 in 30.

Tillman and Pepi also tie for 9th in A's with 2 each.

Looks like footmob has Tillman as highest rated PSV player across the season (with Boscgali and Land) and tied with Perisic (and second only to LdJ) with an 8.6 for today.

Flashscore has him 4th behind LdJ, Perisic and Veerman for today.

 

Yes he was clearly under the influence in the famous video of Earnie Stewart dancing.

 

Made Team of the Season: