Although it’s nonetheless so early in his professional soccer profession, United States males’s nationwide crew midfielder Giovanni Reyna has been no stranger to controversy or to criticism. A spat between Reyna and USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter led to the latter’s dismissal following the 2022 FIFA World Cup — however Berhalter was re-appointed final yr. though questions stay as to how Reyna will likely be utilized within the largest worldwide video games.
Reyna has additionally confronted scrutiny over his membership profession. The 21-year-old was considered one of many high prospects in Europe when he broke into Borussia Dortmund’s first crew, however an harm noticed his minutes lowered this season and he has since accomplished a mortgage transfer to Premier League facet Nottingham Forest. That call has been referred to as into query by a former USMNT star, involved about the place Reyna’s future is heading.
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Former USMNT ahead criticizes Reyna’s switch
Taylor Twellman, a former striker for the USMNT, informed Alexi Lalas on the latter’s “State of the Union” podcast that Reyna’s transfer to Nottingham Forest — combating for survival within the high flight of English soccer — has left him feeling a bit of chilly. Twellman believes Reyna ought to be challenged at a better stage, and that the English league shouldn’t be one of the best place for him to exhibit his expertise.
“La Liga fits Giovanni Reyna. A relegation battle within the English Premier League doesn’t go well with Giovanni Reyna,” Twellman mentioned. “I do not care who you’re and who’s making an attempt to persuade me on that — that is not going to work.”
Reyna’s new consultant is Portuguese superagent Jorge Mendes, who is without doubt one of the most influential energy brokers in world soccer. Mendes helped engineer Reyna’s transfer to Forest after minutes proved exhausting to come back by at Dortmund — Reyna made 11 league appearances in Germany this season for a complete of 280 minutes.
“He’s younger sufficient to nonetheless have an unbelievable profession, however these are the making an attempt instances as a participant if you discover out who you’re and who you need to be,” Twellman mentioned. “I do not know if he’s going to get that reply at Forest.”
Will Reyna stay within the USMNT plans?
Twellman has additionally solid doubt on whether or not Reyna will proceed to function prominently in the US’ plans — particularly if he cannot stand out within the Premier League. Whereas the World Cup points with Berhalter appear to be a factor of the previous, Reyna wants constant minutes to regain full health and arrive in the very best form forward of this summer season’s Copa America.
To date, Reyna has made two substitute appearances for Forest, totaling 31 minutes. The crew is sixteenth within the Premier League, two factors from falling into the relegation zone — a situation that Twellman thinks won’t assist the participant, or the nation that’s relying on him.
“I believe we’re going to have the identical dialog — the place is Gio going to finish up, what’s his finest crew, can he play in a system that does not go well with a ten, somebody that’s going to contribute on either side? I believe we’re going to be having this dialog in 4 months, sadly, however I hope I am flawed,” Twellman mentioned.
