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According to ESPN Stats & Information, among LaLiga defensive midfielders with more than 500 minutes played, the U.S. international ranks in the top six in tackle percentage (52.3%), duel percentage (62.7%) and aerial percentage (66.0%). Among that cohort, his 15.7 defensive interventions per 90 minutes of actual playing time is second in LaLiga, though he's been sharp on the ball as well -- especially in the attacking third, where his passing percentage is third in the league among defensive midfielders at 89.6%.
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Has he not already done that?
Yeah I already assumed he was an automatic on the team at this point and trying to break into the starting 11. And with Adams not 100%, he’s our starting 6 imo
He has clearly been an A team member from immediately after the world cup to present.
Feels great TBH to finally have an alternative/backup to Adams.
Adams is a black hole in the attack. Johnny probably has earned the right for some starts as the USMNT 6.
I think they mean a cemented 6. Right now he hasn’t been but I believe he will for the Copa
ESPN gonna ESPN
Debuted in 2020. 11 appearances. On the most recent roster. Yes I would agree.
I think the headline means crack into the starting lineup
Johnny should always be in the side right now. There isn't a better backup 6 we have and no 8 is blowing him away enough to eliminate him.
IMO our 4 midfielders if we go with a CAM are Adams, McKennie, Musah and Johnny.
His impact with the USMNT remains to be seen but it’s nice to see a player in our pool excel in La Liga for a good side.
I mean GGG was calling him out as the surprise player of the last cycle, I think. Looks like he was just a little early on that prediction.
He came into a side in a winter transfer and became fixed and was getting TOTW honors. Im sorry, but doing that in La Liga is awesome lol
I, in no way, shape or form, was insinuating that his success in La Liga isn't awesome.
“Can guy eating an egg sandwich crack an egg?”
Lol.... Sometimes not.
He's in the squad, pushing for a starting role but not there yet mainly because the guy in his way is one of our best players and our captain.
This is going to be the new norm, as we progress as a soccer country we're going to have players playing regularly and even excelling in the top European leagues who can't crack our starting 11, as we progress even further we'll have guys performing at that level who aren't even making the 23.
The guy in his way hasent been playing and arguably johnny's game in La Liga is a better unit of measure than adams on the bench. not just becuase of how he is performing, but stylistically he is playing against players who have a style more like what we will see in copa. Adams is awesome. but back to back to back injuries..... is not good. Also aside from NL, adams has never shown the offensive game Johnny has. No one questions his defense. Adams is good, but johnny I think earns that spot.
I’m just waiting for it to translate to the NT; Johnny’s performances have been lackluster to this point. Not saying he’s not talented clearly he is. Also I’m curious what we’ll lose without Adams in the lineup. His range and counter pressing really allow our fullbacks to get forward. I’m curious what will have to change with Johnny starting at the 6
I think OP only looks at stats and doesn’t watch tape. Don’t get me wrong, fucking love Johnny Futbol and it’s been a blast watching him since the transfer. But if you watched, more than half his touches or passes are just layoffs to Isco or Fekir. His defense and positioning are why he’s already expected to be the 6 with Adams out, and imo compete with Adams for it even when healthy
Agree.
Not only that, but calling both him and Adams 6s or DMs is really missing a lot.
Adams can play the solo 6, allowing both 8s or and 8 and a 10 to progress forward. He's an excellent defender with a ton of range which frees up more offense.
Johnny is not. He has good defensive instincts and plays strong positional defense. But if you put him home alone against good teams, he's not going to be able to cover the counter the same way. He requires a double pivot or at minimum, someone hedging to help.
This is fine in many situations, but people seem to want to just plop him in at DM, but doing so will affect how McKennie (or whoever is the 8) plays.
In terms of offense, he's a more willing and better passer than Musah, but like you said, he's lacking aggressive ball progression.
It's nice to have a willing passer in midfield, but I don't see how anyone thinks he's challenging for a starting spot versus Adams, McKennie and Reyna unless one of them regresses.
There aren't too many 6s on earth that cover the ground Adams does. Still, he inexplicably fell asleep in a pressure moment against a good opponent in a knockout game and allowed Memphis to jog right by him to slot the first goal home and put the US behind the 8 ball.
For me, the primary challenge the US has is scoring goals against teams of consequence. And sometimes you have to sacrifice a guy like Adams who adds nothing in attack for someone who gives you a little less defensively but gives you more going forward.
But you've missed my point. You can't play Johnny as a solo 6 against a good team. Which means that the 8 in the game -- McKennie -- has to play much more defensive than he would with Adams.
Without Adams behind him, McKennie has to drop back. He can't make runs in the box. When he does go on a dribble, someone needs to cover.
If Johnny is adding more than we're losing with McKennie playing that way ... then yeah, maybe. But I haven't seen it. In his minutes with the US, I think I've seen one dangerous pass? He needs to be more than simply ball secure to justify it.
Offense and defense are linked. And I'm not sure Adams gives nothing in offense, given our last match.
Where did I say "Play Johnny against a team that is more talented or would have a greater share of possession against the US"?
I didn't. In fact that's the exact scenario where you don't play Johnnny if Adams is healthy.
But Johnny should be rolled out against the teams the US can line up with toe to toe and would expect to beat.
Let’s be honest, there’s no point in even bringing Adam’s into this conversation until he can prove he’ll stay healthy enough for a run of games. Johnny is the undisputed starting 6 no questions asked.
Can he make the roster, absolutely. Can he be a starter, only if Adams is hurt or playing RB. And with Dest hurt, I'm not opposed to Adams at RB and Johnny at the 6.
Are you arguing that he will only start if Adams is injured because you think Berhalter won't start him ahead of Adams, because you don't think he should ever start ahead of Adams or both?
I don't think he should ever start ahead of a healthy Adams. He's been fair at best with the USMNT, while Adams has consistently been one of the best USMNT players when healthy. But I also think Adams is our best available RB with Dest hurt because Scally sucks. Though I'm still a fan of Cannon as a defensive minded RB.
Where??
Yeah, the headline is misleading. He’s an integral part of the team already and may take the starting spot from TA.
He is ahead of adams for me if not equal.
I hate stat watchers so much, especially for defensive players. It’s the worst part of US fans bringing it over from our other sports
Eye test matters but nothing wrong with stats. And stats always existed. Don’t know how you think it’s only being brought in now lol
Adams is still better but Johnny is locked in as the number 2 DM and is a lock for the roster right now.
Still his performances for the USMNT haven’t been spectacular up to this point, hopefully with more time he will figure it out.
Have you watched him play at all, or do you just have stats that you probably don't completely understand and dont fully evaluate a player? For example, what exactly is "passing percentage". Is that just completing a pass, with no insight into what the pass accomplished in that moment in the game?