Comments

1. Tele57,

   “Pepi’s move to Europe prob contributed to him not making the last WC roster and this is probably his last chance for a WC . ”

   I don’t see why, as long as he maintains his career arc, he wouldn’t be in the running for 2020?

   “I suspect his decision depends on if the money is more important to him than the WC”

   It should be. He’s a pro in a risky profession not a high school or college player. His career can end literally in a second. Money on the table should always be taken very seriously.

   “Changing teams right before a WC is pretty risky if you aren’t a roster lock. If Balogan is healthy, Pepi prob wouldn’t see a lot of playing time at the WC and if Wright is also healthy maybe none but a lot can change between now and then.”

   Pepi is on about 2.3 milion per year. If Fulham, for example, do sign him he can easily make anywhere between 3-4 million and more if he does well. If he signs tomorrow that is money he can count on.

   His USMNT WC place on the other hand, is not guaranteed. No one is a roster lock except Pulisic. But Pepi is as close as it gets if he maintains his form.
   If Flo is healthy and doing well he should be the #1 starter (unless there is a rotational consideration). Ricardo has proven that he does one thing very well, score as a second half sub. At this point in his development I see no reason to ever start him for the USMNT. Right now, the USMNT can bring on Gio, Pepi, Wright etc. if they need to score. That’s as good as it has been for the USMNT since forever.

   Fans tend to see these issues as black or white. We also go off of incomplete information. I don’t know him but I’ll bet that if this sale happens it will be because Pepi thinks he can succeed quickly in the EPL AND win a spot in the WC.

   2022 was a long time ago. Pepi is a better player now. The USMNT is a better team now. Even if Pepi’s raw numbers drop in the EPL, if he is still playing well I trust Pochettino would be able to see that and understand the difference. Pochettino has shown me that he is a better talent evaluator than SBI.

   I don’t expect a move but if it happens I wish Ricardo well and congratulate him for having the big balls for believing in himself enough to take this risk.
   One more thing, Ricardo has the “gift” but he’s also scored a lot of his goals on chicken shit teams and players. This is a chance to toughen himself up before the Big Show.

   Reply

2. I would say Pepi needs to stay at PSV, and Reevaluate after the WC.

   Reply

3. Fulham preparing an offer for Pepi. Said to be around 30-35 million, not sure that will get it done in the January window.

   Reply

   • ” Said to be around 30-35 million”

     JR,
     Brendan Aaronson money.
     Would you move to Fulham if you were Ricardo?
     Raul Jimenez has 16 league games ( 3 goals and 2 assists) and 3 EFL CUP games ( 1 goal). Everyone on SBI was wetting themselves over DeJong, The statistically inferior RJ may be just as big an obstacle. And they have the promising Rodrigo Muniz behind him.

     The cautious approach would be to stay at PSV, score the winner in the World Cup final. Then move.
     OF course, what happens if he does not have a breaklout WC? Well it’s not my millions of dollars.

     It all depends on what kind of stupid money someone , if there is anyone, throws at him.

     Reply

     • Vac, Pepi’s move to Europe prob contributed to him not making the last WC roster and this is probably his last chance for a WC so I suspect his decision depends on if the money is more important to him than the WC. Changing teams right before a WC is pretty risky if you aren’t a roster lock. If Balogan is healthy, Pepi prob wouldn’t see a lot of playing time at the WC and if Wright is also healthy maybe none but a lot can change between now and then. In terms of WC, I think the safe bet is to stay with PSV but that may not be his top priority. He may not get another chance to play for an EPL temm again either so that could trump being on a WC roster.

     • The reason Fulham is looking is Jimenez is 34 and Muniz is injured. Raul has started every match for Fulham since Sept 20. Muniz is expected back in February. I also believe that Jimenez’s contract ends in June. Fulham is looking to find his replacement in the usually less expensive January window and provide cover if Muniz’s hamstring doesn’t heal quickly from his surgery in November. Let’s not forget Jimenez played over 500 minutes for El Tri this summer.
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       I don’t know if it’s a good move or not. It’s of course been historically a good spot for Americans and there will be minutes if he’s playing well. He’s only 22 so not sure how it’s his last shot at a World Cup. He should make at least double his PSV salary so it’s hard to criticize someone for setting up their family for future generations.

     • For some reason I thought Pepi was older. At 26 he would likely have another shot to make a WC but would he want to count on that? 30 is pretty tough for most people to make a WC roster.

     • Tele: 30 for a striker isn’t too old especially when one looks at the striker prospects in the YT ranks. It’s pretty much crossing fingers that Alexander Staff switches too the US. Balo, Wright, Sargent, are all older. Cowell (who apparently is headed back to MLS) is Pepi’s age and gone fairly stagnant. I mean Jimenez is probably going to start for El Tri at 34 so even 2038 isn’t out of the question.
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       Here’s what I always say these guys don’t get to where they are by not betting on themselves. Going to Augsburg likely cost Pepi the 2022 WC. He and his team are unlikely to be as naive this time, but that doesn’t mean they won’t take a risk. Augsburg was bad landing spot for a young striker. Relegation zone, conservative manager, plethora of veteran strikers. Fulham is in 13th, but closer on points to CL than relegation. Silva has been playing several teenagers this season and Pepi’s competition before Muniz recovers is 18.

     • what’s wrong with Brendan Aaronson money?? you act like it’s bad

       good for him. if someone threw money at me, or you, like that…done deal.

       btw, since none of you watch Leeds obviously, BA has been balling lately, playing very well.

       cheers everyone

     • Beach and Vacqui: there’s nothing wrong with it, but PSV claims it’s not enough, it comes with a large degree of pressure, and transfer fee of 30-35 million is Salzburg’s money not Aaronson money. Brenden makes around 3 million a year, Pepi makes 2.7 million. Salzburg brought in 3x what Augsburg got on the sale of these players but Brenden only makes 300,000 more a year. These are just rumors but PSV wants more, and Pepi is going to be wanting more than Aaronson money.

     • “what’s wrong with Brendan Aaronson money?? you act like it’s bad”

       It is bad, but you’re barking up the wrong tree.

       “good for him. if someone threw money at me, or you, like that…done deal.”

       Yeah, I would take the money too . But ………….while BA probably did not negotiate the price, he will be held responsible for delivering what Leeds paid for.

       And you know what that means.
       The expectations that come with a 30 million price tag , unfairly or not, are his responsibility. If it goes well he is a hero, if not he’s a piece of shit to Leeds.

       If Leeds had brought him in at, for example, 10-15 million, and he had performed exactly as he has, the shit that has deservedly been thrown his way would have been a lot less.

       If you buy someone for X amount of money, you expect him to give you X amount of performance. Milan bought CP for 22 mil. He is now worth 60 mil or more . He’s proven to be quite the steal.

       How much do you think Leeds would get for BA?

       In plain English BA is a good player, a great guy and a great story and much beloved by SBI but he’s not been worth what Leeds paid for him.

       That is why Leeds fans have thrown a lot of shit BA’s way. BA played poorly. Leeds got relegated. He is also a constant reminder of his patron, Jesse who not beloved by Leeds fans. BA’s time at Leeds has not been great even taking into account his current improved play. It’s a lot of too little too late.

     • @Vac, yes, he will be held responsible, as he has been for years now.

       very old, and stale, news

       and again, he’s balling lately. you have not watched him, no way 😉

     • beachbum,

       “@Vac, yes, he will be held responsible, as he has been for years now.

       very old, and stale, news”

       Not to Leeds fans. It is their team that paid 30 million for him. They have long memories. And BA has been crap since July 2022. That’s a long time for a player to suck. He finally reversed the rot a little bit towards the end of his time in Germany and is doing well now. But overall the return on the investment for BA has not been great. It is only recently that his play has begun to justify the money.

       The USMNT fans did not pay a cent for him so USMNT fans like you operate off a completely different set of expectations when it comes to BA. You didn’t have the USMNT get relegated.

       “and again, he’s balling lately. you have not watched him, no way”

       I hate to tell you but I’ve followed BA pretty closely since his Philly days and what you’re seeing today is probably the peak of what he can be. At his best, he is a relentless, hard working, pressing monster and a mediocre player. I’d be happy for him to prove me wrong but his current form means there is nowhere for him to go but down.

       If he maintains his Leeds and his recent USMNT form then he’s a threat to displace Luna and/or Zendejas but we’ll have to see about that.

       If he maintains his current form, it will go a long way towards mending fences with Leeds fans.