Pochettino expresses no concern regarding Freeman’s transfer to Villarreal.
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed his continual optimism regarding players who transfer teams, stating he is “not worried” about the potential impact of such transitions.
During a Zoom call with journalists on Thursday, as the winter transfer window nears its conclusion in several European nations, Pochettino was queried about defender Alex Freeman’s imminent transfer to LaLiga club Villarreal, along with Fulham’s interest in PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi.
“I am not worried. I am not concerned about whether some players will move during this transfer window because I always expect the best outcome, and it is essential for me that the player feels happy and comfortable,” remarked the U.S. coach.
Pochettino, who had a conversation with Freeman prior to the transfer, noted: “If that occurs, it is because they seek to improve, they aspire to grow, and I believe it presents an incredible challenge that we must support and assist in adapting to in the best possible manner.”
With the World Cup approaching in just four-and-a-half months, attention is shifting towards the March international window, during which the U.S. will face Belgium and Portugal, both matches taking place in Atlanta.
These two encounters, along with an additional two pre-World Cup friendlies against Senegal and Germany, will represent the final opportunities for players to impress the U.S. coaching staff. For Pochettino, the aforementioned matches in Atlanta signify the true commencement of the World Cup preparations.
“The plan is for the World Cup to begin in March when we are all together because it is time to demonstrate—similar to what we showcased in the last camps in November or October—our identity, our style of play, and how we intend to perform in the World Cup,” Pochettino stated.
“And as I mentioned earlier, it’s not merely that we have four friendly matches ahead; we have four World Cup matches that are crucial for the players to approach with the mindset that we need to perform, to exhibit our quality, and of course, to ensure we compete at our best in the World Cup.”
The March window presents a somewhat challenging situation for U.S. players participating in MLS. The MLS regular season kicks off on February 21, with some players facing a four-month gap between competitive fixtures. By the time the USMNT convenes in March, those MLS-based athletes will have only recently begun their regular season, while players abroad will be deep into their respective campaigns.
However, Pochettino noted that the MLS-based players also possess certain advantages.
“They will be at a very high energy level, perhaps lacking in match experience, but I believe that will be offset by their energy since they have just come off a period of rest and recovery, and now they are recharging to be fully prepared to compete by the end or middle of February,” Pochettino explained. “This is beneficial because I think in March they will be at full capacity, which will be advantageous for them to showcase their quality.
“And certainly for us, it is positive because they will be energized and motivated to be part of the roster, and it will then be our responsibility to make the best decisions regarding which players deserve to be included.”
