Month: May 2019

Nacho Ambriz’s team is missing two key attackers but must stick with its style in Thursday’s first leg and Sunday’s return

Jose Juan Macias scored more goals than any Mexican in Liga MX this season. He helped Leon into the Liga MX final. Then, he left.

Macias played in Poland for the Mexico U-20 national team in a 2-1 defeat to Italy. The 19-year-old wasn’t the top scorer for Leon – that honor went to Angel Mena, whose 14 goals made him the league’s top scorer.

Still, Macias was a considerable part of a Leon attack that scored more goals than any other team this season. He added eight goals – none from the penalty spot – and played in 19 games for the No. 1 seed. He won’t be on the field when Leon meets Tigres on Thursday night in the first leg of the Liga MX final. Neither will Rubens Sambueza, who is suspended after seeing a red card in the second leg of the semifinal victory over America. 

His manager, Nacho Ambriz, said he didn’t want to make excuses, but, well, just listen to what he said about missing Macias and Sambueza.

“The team isn’t complete. I have absences, injuries. I would’ve liked to have everybody in shape,’ the coach told Fox Deportes.  “At the same time, I know the XI I’m going to put out there.”

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“Obviously I’d really like for the team to once again have those finer details that we were able to show in the regular season. We showed them against Xolos as well, but with America we were stuck a bit.”

There may be a temptation for the former America, Necaxa and Queretaro manager to change things up without Macias up top. Without a forward and with another attacking player who has contributed during the season, perhaps play a more conservative style.

It’d be the biggest mistake he could make. Ambriz’s Leon has been playing soccer this season that hasn’t just been dominant, it’s been beautiful. That’s a marked departure from Ambriz’s previous stops, where he often resorted to sticking men behind the ball and making the game as ugly as possible to grind out a 1-0 victory or even a draw. 

“I have a tactical idea that I’ve been expressing in the team. I’ve achieved that at other clubs as well, but not at this level,” he said. “I’m going to give everything for this title. I’ve been looking at Tigres from A-Z.”

He’ll notice during his analysis that Tigres are missing C and D. Center back Carlos Salcedo isn’t fit for Thursday night’s first leg after leaving the second leg of the semifinal against Monterrey with a knee injury and Jesus Duenas also will miss out as he continues to cope with concussion symptoms from a clash in the first leg of the semis.

Tigres also need to stick with their identity. It’s a club that brought in Salcedo for moments like these and the Concacaf Champions League final. He struggled in those games as he moved from one side to the other of the back line and ultimately Tigres fell to rival Monterrey. 

Even with two defenders missing, Tigres manager Tuca Ferretti needs to stay true to his style as well. That’s less of a doubt for the veteran manager than it is for the itinerant Ambriz. Ferretti’s team will look to keep the ball, to play to the wingers’ feet and look for Andre-Pierre Gignac in center of the field where “Mr. Liguilla” will be waiting.

Francisco Meza has stepped up for Tigres at center back and left back in the past, and the club’s directors built such a deep squad with moments like this in mind. 

“We want to do it, but we know we have to face the team that over 17 rounds played the best football of anyone,” Ferretti said.

He’s right, and there’s no reason for Leon to stop doing that now. Each team must stick with the one that brought it, using the playing style that has formed its identity since the start of the year. If someone switches it up, panicking as they sit just two games away from a title, it will be a critical error the other side can exploit.

The Blues are unsure whether the ex-Napoli boss remains committed to the club and would allow him to depart for Turin this summer

Chelsea will not stand in manager Maurizio Sarri’s way if he looks to leave the club this summer, though they will inform Juventus they will require a £5 million ($6.3m) fee to release him from his contract.

Goal  understands that the Blues hierarchy want a head coach who is passionate about working in west London to lead them into next season.

Publicly the former Napoli boss has insisted he remains committed to the Stamford Bridge outfit, but privately there are doubts within the Chelsea boardroom as to whether that is truly the case.

Sarri will meet with the club’s directors following the Europa League final on Wednesday to seek assurances over his future, though the interest from Juventus in the 60-year-old may allow the Blues to move on without having to wield the axe themselves.

Serie A champions Juve are looking for a replacement for the departing Massimiliano Allegri , and despite reports claiming that Pep Guardiola is their preferred choice, moves have already been made to bring Sarri to Turin .

Roma and AC Milan have also shown an interest in appointing Sarri, but it is understood that the Bianconeri are his most likely destination should he depart Chelsea this summer.

Sarri still holds a strong reputation in Italy, with many deeming a first campaign in England in which he led his new club to third in the Premier League and the finals of both the Europa League and the Carabao Cup as successful.

A significant number of Blues fans disagree, however, with Sarri regularly hounded by supporters at times during the second half of the campaign.

Should Sarri depart, former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has emerged as the frontrunner to replace him, having led Derby County to the Championship play-off final in his first season in management.

The Rams came from behind to beat Leeds United 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals following a sixth-placed finish in the league and face Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on Monday for a place in the Premier League next season.

As well as being a legend of the club, Chelsea’s interest in Lampard has been seen by some to suggest that the club are looking to appoint a coach with experience of coaching young players in light of their potential transfer ban.

Lampard has overseen the development of Blues loanees Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori at Derby this season, with both players key to the success of the Pride Park outfit.

And with academy graduates Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James expected to be given more opportunities to impress should Chelsea be unable to make any signings over the next 12 months, then Lampard could be the perfect mentor within the dugout.

The Blues are currently working on their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding their two-window transfer ban having seen their appeal to both delay and overturn the suspension rejected by FIFA.

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The former Gunners boss has expressed sympathy for Henrikh Mkhitaryan as well as fans of his old club and Chelsea ahead of the showpiece event

The Europa League final being held in Baku is “a nightmare” for Arsenal and Chelsea fans, according to Arsene Wenger.

Next week’s showpiece between two of London’s Premier League clubs will be hosted in eastern Europe, with Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan not travelling due to safety concerns given the politician tensions between his native Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Many supporters are set to miss the trip too given the difficulties in travelling to Baku and the fact that each club has only been allocated 6,000 tickets at a stadium with a capacity of 68,700.

Arsenal have publicly criticised UEFA’s decision to stage the final in Azerbaijan and Wenger has expressed sympathy for both sets of supporters and Mkhitaryan.

“It’s a little bit of a nightmare [for the fans],” Wenger told BBC Sport.

“The teams have no problem. They live in ideal conditions – they have their private jet, nice business seats. But it’s the fans.

“[Mkhitaryan’s situation] is something that should not happen in football.

“I feel it’s not normal that in 2019 – inside Europe, with very sophisticated democracies – that you cannot play for political reasons.”

Wenger has not taken another managerial job since leaving Arsenal at the end of the 2017-18 season, ending a 22-year stay with the club.

The 69-year-old revealed he wants to return to football but is unsure if he will be a boss again, and he said Arsenal will “be forever my club”.

Wenger added: “I miss competition and I miss Arsenal because I left my heart in there.

“I gave my life to this club for 22 years. Every minute of my life was dedicated to this club and I miss the values we developed inside the club.

“I support Arsenal. It will be forever my club.”

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The former Blues full-back has endorsed his old team-mate for a highly-coveted role, amid rumours the Italian boss could leave this summer

Derby County manager Frank Lampard would be a “great” choice to succeed Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea next season, according to Glen Johnson.

The Blues legend has enjoyed a successful first year in management at Pride Park, guiding the Rams to a Championship play-off final against Aston Villa.

Lampard has been linked with a return to Chelsea as a result, as rumours linking current head coach Sarri with a summer exit continue to swirl .

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The Italian tactician has had a mixed first year at the Bridge, having been drafted in to replace Antonio Conte at the helm in 2018.

The Blues secured a top-three Premier League finish and reached the Carabao Cup final, but ultimately lost to Manchester City after a tense penalty shoot-out.

Sarri’s side will have a second chance to pick up some silverware in the Europa League final, with an all-English tie against Arsenal scheduled on May 29.

Johnson, who played for Chelsea between 2003 and 2007, feels Sarri’s fate beyond the end of the campaign has already been decided, regardless of the final result in Baku.

He told Talk Sport : “I do think the club have made their mind up already. Sarri hasn’t done a bad job, I just think there are a few personalities that are clashing at Chelsea.

“If they win the final, you’d say it’s a positive season.

“But I don’t think it’s about the results, it’s just the way they’re getting the results.”

Johnson went on to suggest that Lampard would be the ideal man to take up managerial duties at Chelsea , given his illustrious history with the club.

The former England international spent 13 years at the Bridge as a player, scoring 211 goals in 648 games from midfield.

Lampard won 11 major trophies in total, including three Premier League titles and the Champions League.

“I think Lampard will definitely be Chelsea manager one day, and it might be sooner than I anticipated,” Johnson added.

“Could he do the job? Now might be slightly too early and I’m sure Lamps would probably agree with that, but I definitely think he’ll be capable of being successful as the Chelsea manager.

“I personally think it’s too early, but I could also see it happening. It’s exciting.

“I actually want him to get the job, I think he’d be great there.

“He is Mr Chelsea, he cares about the club and he would be interested in the youth teams and be the link between all the age groups and get the club back on its feet.”

The 20-year-old Real Madrid loanee has been in good form for Vitesse and Utrecht boss Advocaat believes he was born with a special talent

Real Madrid winger Martin Odegaard’s talent is a “gift from god”, Dick Advocaat says.

The 20-year-old has had an impressive season on loan at Vitesse, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists in 37 appearances as the Arnhem side reached the play-offs for a spot in the Europa League.

With a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over Groningen on Tuesday, Odegaard was key as Vitesse overturned a first leg loss to reach the final, where they will face Advocaat’s Utrecht.

The former Stromsgodset talent joined Madrid at the age of 16 after attracting offers from a host of Europe’s top teams, but his future in the Spanish capital has looked uncertain after he was sent on loan to the Eredivisie for the second time.

Odegaard will return to Madrid this summer to decide his next move, but the Spanish giants are expected to hold onto him despite reports Ajax are considering making a bid as they plan for star attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech to leave.

Former PSV, Netherlands and Russia boss Advocaat says Odegaard has shown he has a rare ability and could have a decisive role against his side in the battle for a place in Europe.

“He is an exceptional talent, a gift from god,” Advocaat said to Fox Sports on Thursday. “Why is Ziyech so good? Those boys are born this way and so is Odegaard.

“That boy would cost €20-25 million. What are we talking about? That’s what the whole club here costs.”

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He added: “Really a very nice player to watch. You think: ‘he won’t succeed’, but then he makes another move and he is free. Those are players who can decide matches for you.”

Advocaat is not the first to praise Odegaard this week, as Vitesse winger Bryan Linssen revealed his performance against Groningen left even his team-mates stunned.

“I just sat on the bench with [striker] Tim Matavz. He turns around and says: ‘He’s unbelievable,'” Linssen said after the game. “He’s just terribly good. He’s unstoppable, it’s bizarre.”

 

Is Hirving Lozano bound for Serie A? Will Hector Herrera move to Atletico? Who will Chivas sign this summer? Goal summarizes the transfer talk

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Lozano headed back to Netherlands

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Hirving Lozano will miss the Gold Cup and is returning to the Netherlands to continue injury rehab with PSV, according to ESPN Mexico .

The winger suffered a knee injury near the end of the Eredivisie season, but the Mexico national team medical staff felt he could recover for the Concacaf championship. After a few days of evaluation in Mexico City, Lozano may have been ruled out of the tournament.

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Santos, America talking about forward swap

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Santos Laguna and Club America are talking about swapping forwards this summer, according to MedioTiempo .

The deal would see Oribe Peralta return to Torreon to finish his career there while Los Guerreros would send Julio Furch to Las Aguilas. Furch scored six goals in the previous tournament and will turn 30 this summer.

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Cruz Azul looking to buy from abroad

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Cruz Azul is planning to be active this summer and has three players based abroad high on its wish list, according to  Marca Claro .

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Peru international midfielder Renato Tapia, who is signed with Feyenoord but spent last season on loan with Willem II, Cerro Porteno defender Juan Escobar and former Santos Laguna forward Djaniny.

Cruz Azul manager Pedro Caixinha coached Djaniny, who won the goalscoring crown with Santos and is open to a return to Mexico from his current club in Saudi Arabia. 

Other names mentioned recently are Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro and Puebla forward Lucas Cavallini (see below).

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Cavallini has suitors in MLS, Spain

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Puebla has offers on the table from a number of teams for forward Lucas Cavallini, according to  Record .

Cruz Azul is making a strong push for the Canadian international, but he also has suitors in MLS and Spain. The Canada international forward has scored 23 Liga MX goals since arriving in the summer of 2017.

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America expecting Uribe bid

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America is expecting a bid from Sporting for midfielder Mateus Uribe, according to  ESPN.

Las Aguilas already declined a $5 million offer for Uribe from Boca Juniors of his native Argentina. Sporting likely would double that offer.

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Alanis with interest in North America

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Oswaldo Alanis is in talks to return to Chivas, according to  MedioTiempo .

The club, which signs only Mexicans, also has Santos Laguna’s Gerardo Arteaga and relegated Feirense center back Antonio Briseno on its list.

San Jose is also a potential destination for Alanis, according to Earthquakes show Black and Azul.  Though Real Oviedo may attempt to keep the left-footed center back, Alanis’ former manager Matias Almeyda also has an eye on the defender.

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Rayados players with European chance

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Monterrey wouldn’t stop Rodolfo Pizarro or Carlos Rodriguez from moving to Europe this summer, according to sporting director Duilio Davino.

A pair of scouts working with Manchester United were in attendance for Monterrey’s playoff match against Necaxa, according to  Multimedios Deportes . They later were spotted talking to the Rodriguez’s agent. 

Rayados attacker Rodolfo Pizarro also has been the subject of European interest in the past weeks. Genoa, Parma and Udinese reportedly are interested in Serie A, while La Liga clubs also have been keeping an eye on the former Chivas playmaker.

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Betis wants Guardado extension

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Andres Guardado’s agent is set to travel to Seville to work on a contract extension with Real Betis, according to  ABC Sevilla

The 32-year-old’s current deal would keep him in La Liga through summer of 2020. The player has been targeted by Liga MX and MLS teams in the past and manager Quique Setien’s departure could make it more appealing for him to return to North America. Still, Real Betis are seeking a deal that would keep him with the club in 2020-21 and have an option for an additional season .

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Germany or the Netherlands options for Guzman

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Victor Guzman is interested in a move to Europe, with clubs in Germany and the Netherlands potential destinations, according to the player’s agent, Matias Bunge .

The Pachuca midifelder was linked with a move abroad in previous transfer windows and could take the leap this summer. The agent also represents Diego Reyes and said reports linking the defender to Tigres are premature with the sides yet to speak .

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Gio asking for big money to play in Liga MX

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Giovani dos Santos is looking to become one of Liga MX’s highest-paid players, according to Univision Deportes .

Currently without a club and training in the Mexican federation’s training center , the former LA Galaxy attacker is looking to make $4.5 million a year. His father is in advanced talks with Cruz Azul, which is the favorite to sign the 29-year-old, though Monterrey and America also are potential landing spots .  

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Chivas planning summer overhaul

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Chivas is planning a total overhaul this summer with relegation becoming a looming threat in 2019-20, according to  Record .

Among the targets for the Guadalajara side, which signs only Mexican players, are Cruz Azul goalkeeper Jesus Corona and Leon right back Fernando Navarro. Tigres right back Luis “Chaka” Rodriguez and winger Jurgen Damm also are on the radar. So too is center back Antonio Briseno, who spent last season with relegated Portuguese side Feirense.

That is only one portion of what the club hopes to do, though. Leon is ready to negotiate with Chivas to make sure young forward Jose Juan Macias stays with the club long-term, according to  MedioTiempo . Chivas have put a price of $15 million on the 19-year-old to join Leon full-time after the loan expires in December.

However, Leon wants to move the process along with negotiations potentially involving Chivas summer target and current Pachuca defender/midfielder Erick Aguirre. Leon midfielder Luis Montes also is on Chivas’ wish list, but doesn’t want to leave the club where he’s been since 2011 .

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Napoli and Lozano reach agreement

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Napoli is offering Hirving Lozano a five-year contract after reaching an agreement to buy the El Tri winger, according to   Corriere dello Sport .

Lozano’s agent, Mina  Riaola , met with Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis earlier this month, with the club agreeing to pay 40 million euros to PSV.

In the winter, Il Mattino  reported Riaola and the Serie A side had an agreement but Napoli wasn’t yet willing to meet PSV’s $40 million asking price .  Gazzetta dello Sport  reported   Manchester United stepped up its interest and was working with Rialoa, spurring Napoli to attempt to lock things down before another club swoops in to sign him.

The 23- year-old PSV player has stood out since moving abroad from Pachuca and garnered attention from a number of top clubs .

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Grandes in for Jurado

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Veracruz owner Fidel Kuri said this week that two of Mexico’s four grandes have inquired about signing young goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado. The owner said Cruz Azul and Pumas have Jurado on the radar with the idea to bring in the rising star to push their veteran goalkeepers.

When asked about tracking the 21-year-old, however, Cruz Azul manager Pedro Caixinha said the club could continue to rely on Jesus Corona, calling the 38-year-old one of the two best goalkeepers in Liga MX.

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Pumas set price for Gonzalez

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Pumas are willing to sell forward Carlos Gonzalez this summer, according to Record .

The Paraguayan forward has been one of the Mexico City club’s top players, but he’s set to go the way of Ismael Sosa and Nicolas Castillo as forwards sold by the team. Pumas are set to ask for $10 million for the 26-year-old .

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PSV, Ajax to battle for Alvarez

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Both Ajax and PSV have spoken with people close Club America and Mexico defender Edson Alvarez, according to De Telegraaf .

PSV is hoping to move quickly, but Ajax could more easily pay Las Aguilas’ asking price of €10 million (£9m/$11m).

Able to play center back, defensive midfielder or even right back, the versatile 21-year-old also has been the target of interest from Celtic and Ajax but PSV has a long history of signing Mexican players. The report indicates there also is interest from Serie A with Inter, Atalanta and Fiorentina keeping Alvarez on the radar.

Earlier this year,  Eindhoven Dagblad reported PSV was high on the defender but had lost interest in signing Monterrey attacker Rodolfo Pizarro. The report noted, however, that the interest that previously existed for Rodolfo Pizarro has died out since the former Chivas playmaker made his move north to Monterrey .

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Herrera heading to Atletico

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Hector Herrera has reached an agreement to join Atletico Madrid and is set to sign a five-year deal with the club, according to Marca .

Last month, Portuguese newspaper  O Jogo reported Herrera had been convinced of Diego Simeone’s vision and was ready to join Los Colchoneros.  The Mexico midfielder is set to spurn Inter after the Italian club’s long courtship, along with Roma and Milan opting instead to play in La Liga. Herrera’s Porto contract expires this summer, allowing him to move on a free. 

The club director has revealed he hired the defender as the club’s new player-coach after a single impressive meeting

Vincent Kompany was chosen as the new player-coach of Anderlecht after one six-hour meeting with the club, according to technical director Frank Arnesen.

It was announced last Sunday that the Manchester City captain would return to his childhood club in the close-season after 11 years at the Etihad Stadium.

Kompany ended his association with the club by going out on top, scoring a brilliant goal from distance in the penultimate Premier League game of the season against Leicester to aid in City’s narrow one-point domestic triumph over challengers Liverpool.

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In helping City retain the crown, Kompany secured his fourth Premier League title, and went on to another piece of silverware as the club completed a domestic treble in the defender’s final season at the Etihad Stadium with a victory over Watford in the FA Cup final. 

Arnesen has revealed the process behind hiring the Belgian centre-back and believes the 33-year-old can restore the club to their former place as the country’s leading side citing Kompany’s leadership qualities and philosophies as essential. 

“We went to City and we had a meeting with [Kompany] for six hours,” Arnesen told Sky Sports News.

“I was really amazed and when we went home after this meeting I fully agreed.

“There are so many ups and so few downs. Anderlecht is on the floor at the moment. That is why I came in four months ago.

“Vincent as a player will not bring us one step ahead, [but] maybe three, four steps ahead. We have no leaders.

“Everything football-wise is fantastic [with his appointment]. I was very impressed with his explanation about the philosophy, how we will do and what he is doing.

“Vincent said I will do it about four weeks ago.”

Anderlecht, who have won only one of their 10 matches in the First Division A since the start of the Championship play-off round, are 20 points behind leaders Genk.

They are not far removed from domestic glory, however, as the club won the title in the 2016-17 season.

Southampton, Leicester City, Lille and Rennes are also interested in the teenage forward, who has just one year left on his Royals contract

Arsenal are one of several clubs keeping close tabs on Reading’s teenage striker Danny Loader, Goal understands.

The 18-year-old was part of England’s Under-17s World Cup winning team in 2017 and ended last season making 22 appearances for the Royals in all competitions as they avoided relegation from the Championship.

He has long been viewed as as exceptional talent by Reading, but the club’s previous leadership – headed by former chief executive Ron Gourlay – opted not to enter talks about extending his stay last year.

That has allowed him to enter the final year of his contract and – despite the Berkshire outfit now looking to agree fresh terms – the striker is keeping his options open amid increasing interest both from home and abroad.

Several Premier League clubs in England are circling, with Arsenal, Wolves, Chelsea, Leicester City and Southampton watching developments closely ahead of a potential summer bid.

Goal has also learnt, however, that there is strong interest in Loader from Germany, France and Italy.

Rennes and Lille want to take him to Ligue 1 while Borussia Monchengladbach are hoping to lure the young forward to the Bundesliga.

Juventus meanwhile, are also monitoring the teenager.

The Serie A champions are actively looking to recruit from the British market and last summer they signed Stephy Mavididi from Arsenal.

Mavididi, who initially linked up with Juventus’ B team, has since gone on to make his senior debut, coming off the bench against SPAL in April.

Loader would have to follow a similar route, should he opt not to sign a new deal at Reading and make the move to Turin.

With finances tight at Madejski Stadium, it is highly unlikely the Berkshire club will keep the teenager if it becomes clear that an agreement over a new contract cannot be reached in the coming weeks.

Reading would be loathed to lose one of their brightest young talents, but are aware that they need to sell to raise funds this summer having lost over £22 million in 2017-18 and with another significant loss forecast for 2018-19.

It is thought an offer in the region of £3m would be enough to tempt Reading into doing business for their academy product.

Loader made his debut for the Royals at the age of just 16 and scored his first senior goal against Middlesbrough in April, a strike which saw him win the club’s goal of the season award.

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The Croatia international believes he and the 22-year-old do not play the same role but club executives view the situation differently

The acquisition of Frenkie de Jong is likely to put Ivan Rakitic’s place at Barcelona under threat, Goal understands.

The 31-year-old Croatia international has been linked to a potential move away from the La Liga champions, with Inter often mooted as a landing spot.

Speculation has only grown with the confirmed arrival of the Ajax starlet De Jong, but Rakitic has insisted he is happy at Barca and does not want to leave.

Asked about being replaced thanks to De Jong’s arrival to Camp Nou, Rakitic dismissed the notion, believing the pair are not in competition.

Rakitic told Mundo Deportivo: “I am convinced that he will not arrive for my position, my position is occupied.”

However, Barcelona executives told Goal the opposite – De Jong’s best position is not in Sergio Busquets’ position at the base of the midfield but in a dual-role currently held by Arthur and Rakitic.

And the executives have revealed De Jong is viewed as the perfect compliment to Arthur, which would leave Rakitic as the odd man out.

“De Jong is a control player, similar to Arthur but much deeper in his actions,” Barca executives told Goal.

“De Jong and Arthur will mix very well.”

The executives believe De Jong being Dutch worked to the club’s advantage thanks to the long history the Blaugrana has with some of the country’s great players.

And they believe De Jong compares favourably with arguably the greatest talent the Netherlands has produced – former Barcelona midfielder and head coach Johan Cruyff.

“It is so easy to negotiate with Dutch players being Barcelona, everyone wants to join the club bu especially the Dutch players for the long history between his country and Barcelona,” the executives said.

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“De Jong has high quality and technique. He has a dribbling very similar to Cruyff’s with the right foot doing the movement to the inside with the external part of the foot.

“De Jong loves to play with spaces, receiving and turning himself for starting the actions. He is young and his conditions will increase Barcelona’s midfield.”

The reviews of the 22-year-old are glowing, and reveal why the club worked hard to land the midfielder over the likes of Paris Saint-Germain.

And Barcelona are committed to playing De Jong in his best position to get the most out of their new signing, which could leave Rakitic on the outside, looking in.

The San Diego native will lead the U.S. attack at the Under-20 World Cup, and could be one of the tournament’s top goal scorers

The Under-20 World Cup has been a good stage for American strikers through the years, with players such as Jozy Altidore, Rubio Rubin and Josh Sargent shining as goal-scorers in the showcase tournament.

Sebastian Soto is poised to join that list of American strikers when he leads the U.S. attack into the Under-20 World Cup. The tournament caps a whirlwind year for the 18-year-old, who went from signing his first pro contract last July to breaking into the first team at Hannover 96, where he made three Bundesliga appearances.

Soto isn’t your prototypical striker, neither physically imposing or a speedster. He uses movement, intelligent runs and clinical finishing to be the kind of efficient striker coaches dream of and teammates enjoy playing with.

“He’s definitely a team-first type player and he’s excellent around the box,” U.S. Under-20 coach Tab Ramos told Goal. “When he gets a chance, he puts it away. People just can’t do that consistently. You have tons of great players who can’t score goals and he can.”

A Real Salt Lake academy product, Soto bypassed a chance to sign with RSL in order to join the growing number of young Americans moving to Germany to build their careers. The decision has paid off for Soto, who made a lighting-fast rise up the ranks at Hannover, establishing himself as a goal scorer with Hannover’s U-19 team, netting 17 times in 24 games, then U-23 team before making the jump to the first team, making his Bundesliga debut on April 6 in a 3-1 loss to Wolfsburg.

“Everything’s worked out so good so far, it was the best move for me,” Soto told Goal. “I’ve always had that dream of Europe, that was always my goal. We didn’t have so many guys to look up to. We had Christian (Pulisic) and Weston (McKennie) and those guys, so when you make that move people look at you like you’re crazy. “

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Playing in Europe was always a dream for Soto, but leaving RSL wasn’t exactly an easy decision for a variety of reasons.

“It was still super tough. Not just the distance or anything, but you’re still just taking a chance,” Soto said. “Nothing’s guaranteed, but I was willing to take the risk. It was a bigger risk, but with bigger benefits. You have to admit it’s a super tough decision to make but in my head I wanted to do that since I was little.

“It didn’t make it any easier to leave RSL because you have the path to the first team there.”

RSL is also where his talents as a striker were first discovered and developed. Soto was originally a winger, but then-RSL academy director Martin Vasquez saw Soto as a striker, even before Soto could imagine such a position change. Vasquez’s intuition paid off, in part because of Soto’s determination to make the position switch work.

“If you’re playing a position your whole life you kind of get complacent and not learn so much,” Soto said. “But I was put in this adverse environment and for a solid eight months I wasn’t playing, so I had to do anything and everything I could to become a better forward.”

Soto became a better forward. In fact, he developed into one of the best young goal-scorers in the U.S. youth national team ranks. His rapid rise helped him climb up the prospect charts, but also presented him with the difficult decision of where to begin his professional career.

RSL has developed a reputation for not only developing good young talent — the U.S. U-20 team also features RSL academy products David Ochoa and Richie Ledezma — but also giving young players first-team opportunities. Soto knows he could have had the chance to break through with RSL’s first team, but he decided to take his chance and move to Germany.

“I’m all about working for what you want. In Europe you have to work and if I achieve what I want in Europe it’s going to be the biggest dream come true,” Soto said. “Obviously playing professional for Real Salt Lake would have been a dream come true too, but I saw a path with Hannover.

“They speak to you like they want you to be with the first team. For me that’s the biggest thing, I wasn’t going to Germany to play U-19 Bundesliga forever, I wanted to be with the first team as fast as possible, and the fact they had that vision for me, and it’s already shown, it was 100 percent the right choice for me.”

It was a disappointing season for Hannover, which was relegated, but Soto’s rapid rise at the club has him positioned to potentially take on a bigger role as the club prepares to fight for a return to the Bundesliga. Having already achieved his dream of playing professionally in Europe, Soto is determined to keep building on his success, and the Under-20 World Cup is the next stage for a player who has shown early on in his career that he thrives when faced with a challenge.