Sturdy kid, great speed, great balance, quick feet. Occupies 2 defenders so when he's in flow he'll always have an easy pass when he's not blowing by his marker(s). Nice!
He’s a streaky player as an 18 year old in La Liga. Who cares what his stats are? I’ll start caring about how he stacks up with his peers when he can legally drink, and we have a better idea of his possible ceiling.
We should care because people are putting him in the starting lineup as a 10, even though he has a serious lack of creativity. He is an 8 or very defensive 10 right now. The former would put him as a backup, the latter situational. This says nothing about his future. But I think Frank's point is a lot of people are jumping the gun based on that rapid trajectory, Valencia association (which doesn't mean as much as it used to), and a couple friendly cap sample against not so great comp. Incidentally, Frank didn't originate this concern based on the fbref deep dive. It was mentioned on a recent Scuffed or TSS episode. So I don't think you can just chalk it up to Frank's negativity. It's a reasonable issue at present.
Am I the only who feels that the whole concept of building the team around uncommitted 18 years old kid is just plain stupid? We don't have any friendlies to waste and he isn't a keeper or full back where it's easier to incorporate a new player.
Musah was just ranked I think 18th best player in the world under 20 and Reyna was 5? Yes, I think you build around both and try and find a way to add them to the core players of Pulisic, McKennie, Adams, Dest, Brooks etc. in a 4-3-3 there is a #10 in midfield so a defensive #10 or an 8 is exactly who fits. There will also be a lot of turnover in the qualifying cycle with sometimes three games in a window instead of the usual two. With Nations League coming up somewhat soon and Musah himself saying he would decide by March I say let it play out as it certainly appears he will join Dest as a recruiting win. If he turns down NL then move on.
Who's putting him in a lineup as a 10? I'd imagine everyone with him in the midfield is doing as I am -- a dual 8 with McKennie, just like Berhalter played him. He has the skillset to be a strong defensive 8 with the ability to progress the ball. I don't put him as winger precisely because I haven't seen a lot of goalscoring skills from him at all.
The rankings are cool and all but you have to look at production. Right now, he’s an inconsistent player for a team that’s 3 points above the relegation zone. If he never improves on what he is now (which is unlikely, but still possible) then that’s nothing to really get excited about. I am very excited about Musah and our young players, but it’s dangerous to assume they will all hit the levels that Adams, Mckennie, and CP have (decent-to-good starter for cl team) just because they’re at the top of their age group.
I hear what you’re saying, but in Berhalter’s system he’s competing for one of the 8 positions alongside Mckennie. He’s probably competing with Lletget and maybe Aaronson for that position... and with that competition I’d prefer to have Musah on the field as of now. I think the best lineup we could field without Musah included would be a midfield Trio of Reyna, Mckennie and Adams, and have either Morris or Weah on the RW, but that doesn’t seem to be the direction Berhalter is going.
Musah subs on in a halftime double sub, looks to be playing wide left in a 4-4-2. Real Madrid lead 2-0.
Against the average opponent you need more than 3 players capable of attacking. Heck, sometimes you need 5. So it's semantics to rationalize he's one of two 8's. One of those two guys are going to need to play more like a 10 w/ defensive abilities. That's not Wes either. One would often be sacrificed. That's Musah.
Even with Musah, I have a striker, two wingers, and two attacking fullbacks. That's 5. Then add McKennie, who brings offense from an 8. There are situations where I might want a more CM. But it's hardly limiting ourselves to put Musah at a dual 8.
well I think Musah is awesome...but a midfield 3 of adams, musah and mckennie...is not necessarily the most creative and could very well have issues generating goals...if they are behind 2 wingers and a striker. no need to sugarcoat it.
It is less creative than one with someone more creative than Musah in it, of course. But it's disingenous to pretend there's only 3 in attack when the assumed starters at FB are Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson, and Wes McKennie is at the other 8. At some point, if you put a "real" 10 in the middle, you are really attacking with close to 7 guys. It's all a balance and you can swap, but let's not pretend our FBs aren't a part of our attack.
eh...they can chip in but how many of those are actually goal scoring threats? 2 or 3 players is not enough. the one game weve seen them together finished 0-0...as I would predict would often be the case with that trio. No matter how it shakes out some good players will be on the bench...which is the case for every good team....so might as well put out the most dangerous team in my opinion....in a tourney you need the whole roster, regardless....everyone who makes the 23 will play....and every good player doesnt need to play every minute, either.
There's lots of situations where I'd prefer a more defensively solid team rather than just putting the most offensively dangerous lineup out there. Given spacing needs and the need to secure the ball, shuttle it forward, etc., I don't even know if the lineup with the most attacking talent is actually the one most likely to score. Some good players will be on the bench -- but if you neglect defense, you're probably losing. I'd have different lineups for different matchups. But I'd be cautious about trying to play 7 attacking players against good teams.
100 %. Hopefully the manager's decisions become more and more difficult due to a deeper and wider pool of players. Then the bloodletting on these boards will be epic.
Or maybe it gets more interesting as we debate different tactical schemes and lineups. Wait I think I might be hallucinating.
His technique and dribbling are usually so silky smooth. Routinely failed him a bit during this clip. Thank you for posting!
do people think he is going to actually commit to the US this year? he doesn't have to rush, he's still a kid. that said there is a lot of talent in England that is superior atm. I think he might be Italy eligible as well, though?