Haha not my first cycle. Perhaps I'm just an extreme optimist when it comes to player development, but I do believe there are more and more talented players coming up in the US system now. With the DAs, the changes to youth soccer, the tv exposure, and parents starting to steer their kids clear of football, I think the level of play is definitely trending up. And we all know those Nigerians are older than U17. Not yet
Will be really interesting to see where he decides to sign, and what teams are vying for his services.
Schalke already has Haji Wright. Don't want two Americans getting in each other's way. That seems like it would be better for Schalke than Sargent. Doesn't help that Wright is over-due for an a-team opportunity. So far all they've shown is that they can sell it as a home for Americans. I'd think Dortmund would be the better option, seeing how they gave Pulisic an opportunity and with him as a role model there. But he may have to battle Isak. I could see them getting all 4 of Pulisic, Dembele, Isak, and Sargent on the field; if hypothetically they were all clearly good enough. The first 3 have some versatility. Being the #2 there wouldn't exactly be devastating. From what I know they aren't well-stocked at that position going forward, with Aubama probably not staying for more than a couple years, and Ramos in his 30's and currently loaned out. He could join Gaines at Wolfie. They seem to develop players well for bigger clubs. Isaiah Young is at Werder and things seem to be going well for him. They've gotten a bad rep in the past as a club that plays to avoid relegation. But things may be changing for them. They're really back on the upswing at 7th in the table. Made a great pick up in the sort of Yank, Thomas Delaney. Their forward options are around 30. Ajo is going to be on the outs, after I think they gave him a fair shot. He just suffered from injuries and underwhelming play. Jurgen seems to have a connection there with all the interest they've shown American players, and not just on cheap youth contracts. That might be the best option, actually. Of course he doesn't have to join a team with an existing player or one in Germany. But those seem to be the most reliable routes to set up our boys for success overseas right now.
The three goals he scored in this tournament were pretty ridiculous. He very clearly does some things at a high level and has a world of potential. He still has a habit of assuming his teammates are in places they aren't. At times, he passes the ball to where he seems to think his teammates should be instead of where they are. I think he definitely would've benefited from being in some sort of academy the last two years or so but he's improved a lot the last year so hopefully he can keep improving
I do think it is odd that he is captain of this team. As a lone striker, he isn't in a position to organize his teammates and, like you said, he was not on the same page with them at times. Still, he is a finisher and has decent feet. He does drop into the midfield and combines well there.
Bremen is watching him according to Kristian Dyer .@KristianRDyer also reporting 3-4 MLS teams after Guardado. ATL owns his rights. Josh Sargent is being looked at by Weder Bremen.— MLS Transfers (@MLSTransfers) May 19, 2017
Between Kruse, Bartels, Eggestein, and Gnabry, he would have an uphill climb to make the 18. Bremen isn't the flashiest, but they have no shortage of goal scorers. I'd say it's a good move that'll challenge him (if it happens)
He can't sign for at least another year, so I'm not sure this is really the team you want to bet on being on the up. What if Bremen are relegation contenders a year from now? Will it be such a good move? I do agree with what you are saying that there should be a challenge for playing time if he signed with them, but if he's going to forego potential early playing time in MLS to play in Europe, I'd hope its with a better team than Werder Bremen or if not, its a team he can get regular playing time right away, like Rubio Rubin had at Utrecht. I don't even think he'd go right into the first team. I think he'd have to prove himself with the U-19's for a year (maybe more), and I don't think Bremen are going to be competing for European football next season, so I think this would kind of be a no man's land type of move. Not that good of a team, and probably won't get into the first team right away.
He was excellent out there. Even aside from his goals, he had good holdup and connecting play. Very Lewandoski like in style and size.
Parchman wrote what I thought was a great point on Sargent's first goal. He never lifted his eyes from the moment the ball came to him to the moment it left his foot. Just pure positional instinct that you either have or you don't. Really impressive.
I don't think he has to sign in the Bundesliga. It could be Bundesliga, but doesn't have to, IMO. Somewhere like Schalke, Leverkusen, PSV, Ajax, Porto, Lisbon, Leipzig will do. Some club of that caliber who is willing to play younger players.
Bremen's interest extends back to at least January when they invited him for a tour of the grounds and a match against Bayern Checking out the pitch at Werder Bremen pic.twitter.com/DK46btW7Kz— Jeff Sargent (@JeffSsarge64) January 29, 2017 Last night Schalke vs Frankfurt-tonight- Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich pic.twitter.com/dL7aT4TxfG— Jeff Sargent (@JeffSsarge64) January 28, 2017