Photo by Peter G. Aiken/USA TODAY Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
Timmy Chandler spent his summer as a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s Gold Cup roster in a move that has appeared to cause ripples on the club level.
Eintracht Frankfurt manager Armin Veh says that the fullback should reconsider his participation on the international level, as he believes that Chandler’s USMNT responsibilities are impacting his abilities on the club level.
“I understand that he wants to play there, but it doesn’t help me and Eintracht,” Veh told Bild. “He needs to ask himself what he wants.”
Veh went on to say that Chandler will have to “wait in line first” before rejoining the team for in-game action. Chandler is set to return to the team on Thursday, and is the last of the team’s players to return to the squad ahead of the Bundesliga season.
Last season under coach Thomas Schaaf, Chandler started 25 games and made four further appearances off the bench.
The incident isn’t Chandler’s first that has pitted his club responsibilities against his international desires, as the fullback previously rejected a series of USMNT call-ups to focus on the club level during his time with Nurnberg.
Chandler most recently started three of the USMNT six games at the Gold Cup, but did not play in the team’s semifinal loss to Jamaica.
What do you make of Veh’s comments? What do you expect from Chandler this season? Is it fair to ask Chandler to refrain from international duty?
Share your thoughts below.