PSV’s hold of the top spot in the Eredivisie table continued this weekend with Sergino Dest having a major say in a dramatic league win.
Dest set up the winning goal on Saturday as PSV held off Heracles Almelo 4-3 at the Philips Stadion. The U.S. men’s national team defender earned SBI Americans Abroad Player of the Week honors for his vital outing in Eindhoven.
Despite enduring a tough night against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League midweek, Dest rebounded in style.
He set up Guus Til for PSV’s fourth and final goal of Saturday’s league victory. Dest also completed 91% of his passes (50/55), delivered two interceptions, three tackles, and won five duels.
After being reduced to only seven appearances a season ago, Dest has now taken his current campaign total up to 21. He has two goals and four assists in all competitions, remaining one of the best right backs in the Eredivisie.
PSV’s final two matches of the year are coming up this next week with GVVV Veenendaal visiting in league play on Tuesday before Peter Bosz’s men travel to FC Utrecht on December 21.
Here is a closer look at this week’s top Americans Abroad performances:
Antonee Robinson
It was a positive return to action for left back Antonee Robinson.
Robinson delivered a strong 90-minute performance on Saturday in Fulham’s 3-2 road win over Burnley. The 28-year-old won five duels, made four tackles, and delivered a secondary assist on the club’s second goal of the match.
Up next for Robinson is a potential start vs. Newcastle United in EFL Cup play on Wednesday.
Ricardo Pepi
Another match, another goal for Ricardo Pepi.
Pepi scored for the fourth-straight match on Saturday as PSV defeated Heracles 4-3 in Eredivisie action. The USMNT striker is riding a strong run of form this fall, helping Peter Bosz’s squad remain top of the league table and remain competitive in European competition.
Another crucial match comes for PSV on Tuesday in KNVB Cup play.
Alyssa Thompson
Alyssa Thompson is quickly becoming one of Chelsea’s more important players this season.
Thompson scored her fourth goal of the season as Chelsea defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 in WSL play on Sunday. The USWNT standout also registered one assist in the victory, continuing what has been a productive fall in England.
George Campbell
West Bromwich Albion claimed an important three points at The Hawthorns on Friday with George Campbell impressing at right back.
Campbell assisted once in the Baggies’ 2-0 home victory over Sheffield United. The veteran defender also won four duels, made three clearances, and drew two fouls as Ryan Mason’s squad moved six points back of the top-six.
After missing time this fall through injury, Campbell looks back to full fitness and ready to play a large role of the holiday schedule.
What did you think of this weekend’s slate of Americans Abroad action? Is there anyone else deserving of a shout on this list?
Share your thoughts below.
Man can he attack, but he still has many glaring defensive holes. Thats why I like Alex Freeman at RCB backing Dest up while Dest rampage forward at RWB.
Freeman has the athleticism and strength and tactical nous for that position.
So you want a 21 yr old with one year of pro experience to play a position he doesn’t play with his club. And you want him to go against the best attacking players in the world. People think Dest is a bad defender because he played against Mbappe and other world class stars for Barcelona or in CL with Ajax and PSV. Is he a great defender no, but the idea that Freeman is, is laughable. Please go watch the Saudi match or the GC final. Freeman was our poorest defender in the GC and that’s in comparison to winger convert Max Arfsten.
JR,
“Freeman has the athleticism and strength and tactical nous for that position.”
Are you guys talking about right back? Right wingback?
Freeman is too young and inexperienced to know that he may not do well defensively vs the Mbappe’s of the world. He has other qualities that could make up for that. However, you can say the same thing about Dest. And he already has shown his quality in a World Cup. He did well defensively at Qatar but was eventully worn down because:
+ He had only recently returned from injury was was not in the best shape.
+ Gregg had no significant depth and was forced to burn out his starters. Heavy legs negatively impacts your defensive capability
Hopefully, this edition of the USMNT has better depth giving Pochettino more rotational and tactical options than Gregg ever had.
On SBI we always hear about players who “can’t defend” . There is a very long list of top defenders with “glaring defensive holes” who are somehow had decent careers. I always thought guys like Erling, Mbappe, CR7, Messi, Yamal, Palmer, Kane, etc., made a lot of pretty decent defenders look like they had ” glaring defensive holes”. I’m pretty confident that good defensive teams are more about the team’s committment to keeping things tight than they are about individual defensive skill. PSV has a goal differential of +30 in the Eredivisie this season. That tells you that they are lot better than most of the teams and their commitment to a clean sheet is not as strong as for example, Paraguay’s.
In other words, most of the time PSV and probably Sergino, are attacking, trying to score, not worrying so much about their “glaring defensive holes”.
We haven’t seen Sergino’s best yet under Pochettino but if he does make the World Cup team (not a given) , I’m sure they will find a way to use him that will minimize his “glaring defensive holes”. That’s what good managers do. Klopp made a lot of use of TA Arnold who may not have invented “glaring defensive holes” but knew all about them.
V: 2tone is saying play Freeman as a CB (in a 3 back line) with Dest as your WB. For example:
Jedi———Adams——Tess—-Dest
——Ream——-Rich—-Freeman
What I’m saying is that’s a lot of pressure to put on Freeman who isn’t a CB, isn’t a great defender at this point in his career, and is at his best for club when he gets forward.
Poch is 99.9% gonna play a 3 man backline.
As of now, it’s Miles Robinson or Freeman at RCB
That may change in March if Mckenzie pushes his way in, but there’s a reason why Poch started Scally there game 1 and Freeman game 2. It’s obvious he’s not sold on Miles or Mckenzie
Outside of Chris Richards, Dest is the most indispensable player in the pool. I’ve long been a Dest doubter because of his defensive lapses, but his ability to progress the ball up the field is unmatched for us. Without a CM who excels at getting the ball forward we rely strongly on Dest/Jedi to move us forward.
That 3rd CB slot is a nightmare for us to fill. We have no good options. Freeman may fit as an athletic, converted RB similar to how England used Kyle Walker for years. No one looks good there and we have to pray Richards stays healthy and not suspended. He is the only thing keeping the back line from being a complete shambles