GOAL looks at a busy Christmas period for Americans Abroad, especially the dynamics around Pepi, Robinson and McKennie
Welcome to the Christmas period. So begins one of the most chaotic times in European sports. English football packs its schedule full of fixtures at the end of December, some clubs waiting less than three days between high-intensity games. It tends to be a recipe for disaster and torn hamstrings – but has become a crucial part of the game.
And some Americans will have a big roles to play. Antonee Robinson, in the midst of his best season as a pro, is one of them. So too will Tyler Adams. Brenden Aaronson played that role and more Saturday, scoring and assisting for Leeds.
Elsewhere on the continent, things are significantly calmer. Juventus (home of Weston McKennie) and PSV (the home of Ricardo Pepi, though perhaps not too much longer) play twice over the course of seven days – a more manageable slate.
Both players, though, will have key roles. Pepi is scoring for fun these days, and doesn't seem long for the Netherlands. McKennie, meanwhile, undoubtedly makes his club better – but doesn't often get the appreciation. Piece it all together, and it will be a hectic stretch of football. GOAL looks ahead at some of the biggest storylines to follow among Americans Abroad over the next week.
GettyWill Ricardo Pepi get his chance?
The striker might not be long for PSV. With every week, it becomes clear that the USMNT man is a level above the Dutch League, and could really do with a step up in quality. A move could come soon, with GOAL reporting Thursday that an unnamed Premier League club have offered nearly $21 million for his services.
Either way, there is still football to be played in the Netherlands. He made his case for playing time once again midweek, scoring twice as the league leaders battered semi-professional Koninklijke HFC, 8-0. It remains to be seen if that keeps him in the XI.
To date, manager Peter Bosz has been reluctant to hand Pepi the reins full time. Club captain Luuk de Jong is his competition through the middle, and although Pepi has been outperforming the Dutchman in pretty much every metric, Bosz appears hesitant to bench such a pivotal figure full time.
Feyenoord, on Sunday, could be a real test of his nerve. Although the Dutch club have struggled without the influence of manager Arne Slot, they remain a tricky opponent. Will Pepi get his chance for good? And could another strong showing off the bench further move the needle?
AdvertisementAFPAnother new position for Weston McKennie
And so the saga of McKennie at Juventus continues. It has become clear, over the course of his body of work in Italy, that McKennie is a good center midfielder who, when played in his natural position, makes his side better. He has popped up with timely goals and assists in the Champions League, and provided some important performances in the league.
There are two problems here, though. The first is that Juve are deep in his preferred position – leading to competition for places. The second is that manager Thiago Motta doesn't quite know where to use him. Another experiment in a long line of trials emerged last week, when Motta opted to use McKennie as a left back, of sorts. And he acquitted himself well there – he always seems to – in a comfortable 4-0 win.
There are, of course, two ways of looking at this. The first is that it is undoubtedly a good thing to see McKennie get into the side – and the positive result only reinforced the fact that he needs to be in the XI. The second, and more negative perspective, is that the Texan really shouldn't be playing left back anyway.
Wherever he lines up, all the evidence points towards him needing to be in the picture as Juventus take on Monza on Sunday – and to stay there for a big game against struggling Fiorentina the week after.
Getty Images SportAntonee Robinson continues to excel
is Antonee Robinson world-class? If he's not, then the Fulham left back is certainly right on the edge. He's always been a real talent, and this season seems to have put everything together. His performance against Liverpool last week was perhaps his best of the year, and all of the signs point towards the Milton Keynes born American international only getting better. It should be an interesting week for Robinson.
Fulham will undoubtedly be favored against Southampton, who have really struggled this year. Boxing Day will prove a different challenge, though. Chelsea have found form under Enzo Maresca and might make a real title push this season (despite their manager's insistence that they aren't in the race).
Noni Madueke, his likely matchup on the wing, is a fearsome one-on-one dribbler, and will offer yet another interesting challenge. The good news for Robinson is that he's met pretty much everything thrown at him so far.
GettyBrenden Aaronson making his mark
Despite the mixed emotions of Leeds fans towards Aaronson, he keeps doing lots of good things. Manager Daniel Farke admitted earlier this season that Aaronson returned from an unsuccessful loan in Germany with a real hunger – and has proved that he has the attacking quality to make things happen.
Still, consistency has been elusive. Aaronson has an unfortunate tendency to go missing for long stretches, and is an all-too-easy scapegoat when Leeds drop points. Every week feels pivotal for the Yorkshire club. They are favored for automatic promotion to the Premier League, and are locked in a tight title race with Sheffield atop the league.
Aaronson more than did his part Saturday, as the American scored and assisted for Leeds United as they defeated Oxford United 4-0 in the English Championship. It was an important start to a busy stretch for Leeds. The next two fixtures against Stoke and Derby seem winnable. But there is no such thing as easy points here. Leeds need their American player to step up again, just as he did Saturday.