Here's Why Ricardo Pepi Should Go To Europe
Here's Why Ricardo Pepi Should Go To Europe
Latest Ricardo Pepi transfer talk & my preferred team for Pepi
I did an episode on him a couple of weeks back and the comment section was blowing up. Comparisons, comments about his play style, his choice to choose the USMNT over El-Tri, & more…but today, I want to focus on the most recent Pepi rumors…his transfer to Europe.
Now I don’t want to stir up any controversy but on the 28th of September Extratime co-host Matt Doyle made this comment
I couldn’t disagree more with Matt Doyle. He later went on to compare Pepi to the likes of Josh Sargent stating (and I’m paraphrasing) that Pepi could end up in a worse situation if he goes to Europe like Josh did at Werder Bremen, and now Norwich.
Well most recently Daniel Farke had this to say about Sargent at Norwich:
Say what you want…but Sargent is playing in the English Premier League as a supporting role to Timo Pukki.
Additionally it isn’t Werder Bremen that is knocking on Pepi’s door…supposedly Ajax, Roma, and Galatasaray all had scouts in Vancouver to watch Pepi this past weekend. Two of those three teams even met with Ricardo’s representatives. There are other teams to like AC Milan & Juventus.
So here’s what I think, every player is different. Every athlete has their own unique characteristics to bring to a game that either make them the right fit for the next level, or not. So when Matt Doyle compares Pepi to Landon Donovan, Clint Dempset, Jozy Altidore, and even Gyasi Zardes by stating:
All I have to say is let’s not play it safe. Let’s stand up and say the USMNT is going to raise the bar. Its players have what it takes to compete at the top level, and Ricardo Pepi should go for it.
Enough of Matt Doyle. I know that I am coming off more critical than usual but let’s get real here. We can’t dictate how Pepi plays on the field, but what we can do as pundits…and fans is support him in his decisions
…so that leads me to the next question…has anyone asked what Pepi wants?
In a recent interview on ¡Qué Golazo!…Pepi was asked about the potential move and the type of player that he compares himself to and here’s what Pepi had to say:
Last time I checked Pepi isn’t comparing himself to former U.S. strikers…no disrespect to players like Altidore, Donovan (who wasn’t even a striker), Dempsey, or Zardes but Pepi has set the bar higher.
So instead of listening to Matt Doyle on whether Pepi is ready, here’s what Ricardo had to say:
“I feel like I am really prepared for the moment and I'm ready for whatever comes and I am going to take it all."
That to me sounds like a player who is ready for the call. On top of that all the man has done is score goals at each level. Pepi has dominated every level of play he’s come across, and now he’s slated to do it in Europe.
But what team suits him best? The clear winner here is Ajax.
Let me be clear Major League Soccer isn’t a bad place to play. I’m a fan of the league, I go to matches, and want the league to continue to improve but when a team like Ajax is knocking on the door, you answer that door.
Bergkamp, Cruyff, Van Basten, Suarez…and many, many more have suited up for the best club in the Netherlands. The best academy system in the world. Ajax knows how to develop talent. In addition to that it’s a team that will support a striker ready to take the reigns for Amsterdam’s legendary club.
Let’s take a look at Sebastien Haller. Haller joined Ajax following only 14 goals in 54 total appearances while at West Ham. The now 27 year old striker has 23 goals in 33 matches since joining Ajax. Haller is a different type of striker than Pepi. Haller is more physical at 6’3 and muscles his way to goal. Although Pepi scores the majority of his goals from inside of the box, he relies more on positioning & is deadly in tight spaces.
Haller despite his incredible form will be turning 28 next season. If Pepi is to move to Ajax in the winter transfer period, I would expect Ajax to naturally entertain offers for Haller. Despite his 4 ½ year contract signed in January of this year…for Ajax there may never be a better return than now for the former premier league bust, and Bundesliga scoring machine.
If Pepi was signed by Ajax he would be groomed in one of the best teams in Europe. Even if Pepi was stuck behind Haller..that doesn’t mean they couldn’t find a supporting role in the lineup for Ricard.
Historically speaking Ajax treat their players right, and Pepi is bound to learn a lot at Ajax. Worst case scenario is that Pepi doesn’t start right away…but still gets some minutes for a Champions League Club.
Let’s see how this plays out.
So until next time…support your local club and GO USMNT!!