Berchimas just looks so composed and so polished for a friggin' 15 year old. The goal he had called back for off-side was a sweet strike. Right now he's tied for the most goals at this tournament thru the first two games. The kids he tied with are Brazilians who racked up goals against New Caledonia. And a Malian kid who scored a hat-trick against Uzbekistan.
I am a little uneasy of Nimfasha’s running form (hips awkward at times and affects how quick his feet move when he’s on the ball) but he has everything else you’d want in a prospect. He has high end pace, he’s explosive, strikes the ball with good technique/texture/weight, and good in 1v1. If he can get a bit better running form he could improve even more. The big question now is how much of an early developer is he? Is Nimfasha done growing and is this the fastest/quickest he is going to get? If yes then he’ll still end up being a decent pro but will probably fall short of the high expectations he’s earned himself the last week. If he still has growing to do and gets faster/stronger then the sky’s the limit here. We’re all hoping it’s the latter because what an exciting talent this kid is
Some quote tweet I saw yesterday referencing Bayern Munich paying close attention to him. But it's in German, so I've got no clue what it said. Anyone have a translation? Can't find it and have to go to work.
He’s trialed at Bayern before. If they’re still monitoring him that’s a great sign. I’d imagine Bayern also have done physical testing as most major European clubs do so possibly even better sign
There's always questions for a 15 year old. Only Pele, Messi and Maradona were so technically perfect at 15 that there were no doubts. It's good to see Berchimas confirm that he has a high technical level once you remove his physical advantage. That was a very important question and he has answered it as well as anyone could have hoped. The big caveat is that this is still a level with few players that are proven professionals.
I just saw the tweet scrolling again this morning, it referenced them monitoring 3 guys, Berchimas was one, and they signed one of the 3 already. Not sure how meaningful but nice to see, and good for him.
I sort mentioned what you're describing in the tournament thread. I compared him to Adu insofar as where he'll be in a few years. People gave several reasons for Adu's career stalling but it came down to his not developing elite level acceleration. We just don't know how Berchimas will physically develop. But I agree with you- if he does grow a bit and develop that elite acceleration he will be an USMNT regular. If not, just a decent pro.
He's a fantastic player, at this level he's athletically superior but he also has very good technical base. His work rate is exceptional as well. However I fear this is it for him in terms of physical development, having seen him live at all the MLS Next events and seeing the same player physically from 2022 until now without change gives me some level of concern. The question becomes, how effective can he be at a senior level and how does he adjust or change his game to stay a top player if his best qualities are no longer an advantage. I don't even want to lump Nimfa into this but I think every major youth tournament we see a few African players shine for similar reasons and very few of them ever become top top internationals and it mostly comes down to being early developers. That kid on Burkina Faso today, Ousmane Camara is unbelievable, incredible dribbling, close control, change of speed, relentlessly attacks and win's his 1 vs. 1's, and he has a unique combo of size + power + pace whereas Nimfa doesn't have the size or power. The truth is, even a player like this who has more than Nimfa (right now) and will no doubt end up at a major club at 18 still has a high chance of not panning out in senior football.
Yeah, I've mentioned it before, but I don't think he's grown (or grown much) in the last two years. Impossible for any of us to predict this. You just never know, but typically when a player was already superior in these areas at a young age and then goes a few years without more than very marginal improvement in these areas, it suggests a player who is likely done (or close to it) with development in these areas. Doesn't mean he won't be good, as he's not only a good athlete, but again I feel like a player like Maximo Carrizo (who is at the other end of the early/late development spectrum) is a better long term prospect in the '08 age group, even if he probably wouldn't be as successful right now at a tournament like this.
I think Nimfasha will make a debut and get a little playing time this year. Kinda a mix of MLS and MLSNP playing time. I don't think it'll be enough for us to consider him a "breakout" with the first team. He's still only 15 at the moment. [As of today anyway. Maybe not by the time you read this. ] A 15/16 year old is going to have to be pretty darn special to have an impact in the league. Same for a player like Julian Hall with NYRB. MLS is a difficult league. More difficult than this board gives it credit for sometimes. [I personally don't read too much into preseason playing time. Its like how Bayern and Dortmund would give tons of playing time to Americans in preseason. But then when the games started to matter......................Julian Green and Terrence Boyd were nowhere to be seen. its the same for like, Dante Sealy at FCD. Yes, he's done well in preseason. Where is he on the depth chart if he's a right wingback in their 3-4-3? 3rd? 4th when Geovane Jesus comes back?]
Sealy's been playing LWB, if I read the reports correctly. And if Dallas plays a 352, I'd expect him to start until (and if) he loses the job. Farfan is not a wingback. If they play a 433, he's a backup winger, but with Velasco hurt, there's minutes there at LW as well.
Charlotte sure seems like they're about to make a major DP forward signing. Charlotte FC in advanced talks to sign Uruguay U-20 World Cup hero Luciano Rodriguez in club-record transfer (msn.com) By the way, if Charlotte pulls that off................................the three top scorers at the U20 CONMEBOL Championships will all be in MLS.