GOAL US writers discuss a dire week for Milan and Juventus, and whether big-name Americans need to leave Serie A clubs
It was a rough week for Americans in Serie A. Milan and Juventus are always expected, at least to some degree, to fight for Champions League spots domestically. There will be ups and downs for both sides. Juve will probably be fine. For Milan, it's less certain, such is their poor form of late.
But the real failure here is the fact that neither side qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, both losing in the playoff knockout phase last week. Milan fell to a Feyenoord side whose best player they recently stole in the January transfer window. Juve lost to PSV, who will go the rest of their season without their star striker – and were also missing a driving force in their midfield.
What does this all mean in Italy? Both clubs will certainly be immensely disappointed. Fan expectations were higher. Milan, in particular, will be up against it from their faithful, especially after spending big in the summer.
And for their American stars – Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Tim Weah and Weston McKennie – the future suddenly look markedly uncertain. But should any of the those Americans leave to be surrounded by stronger lineups? If so, where can they realistically go?
GOAL US writers discuss it in the latest edition of … The Rondo.
Getty Images SportWhat does Milan’s UCL failure mean for Pulisic? Does he have to leave?
Tom Hindle: Well, it's not really a good look, is it? Pulisic can't win every game for Milan, and he certainly looks a little tired. But let's be honest: he was woeful in both knockout playoff games. Talk all you want about the failure of the players around him – looking at you, Joao Felix – but world class talents take the game by the scruff of the neck. Pulisic sort of floated in and out of it. Not sure that Milan failing to qualify would be catastrophic for him personally. He seems to have found a good fit there, and that's really all that matters. It's also worth pointing out that a new club would mean adaptation, change and more pressure. Milan offer a platform for him to play football every week in a top five league. Don't overthink it.
Jacob Schneider: To be a world-class footballer, you have to be playing at the highest level. If he's not in the UCL next year, that's a problem. Of course, a move away from Milan – where he has settled in so nicely – is not ideal, but if he wants to continue to grow and elevate his game, he might have to.
Ryan Tolmich: He doesn't have to, but it does become something he'll have to consider. If Milan fail to make Europe at all, he'll have to look at all options. But, if Milan finish, say, fifth or sixth and book a spot in Europe, Pulisic will have enough reason to stay and continue being the top guy for Milan – that's if he is truly happy enough with the club and in the city, as he has indicated is the case. It all comes down to his own happiness because, considering the road he's traveled to get here, that's paramount.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportIf not Milan, where does Pulisic go?
TH: Tough to say. If we're honest, he's a level below most of the absolutely elite clubs. He doesn't get into Barcelona or Real Madrid's side (insert joke about Barca having no money.) Milan won't sell him to a Serie A rival. PSG probably want to put all of their chips on the exciting Bradley Barcola. Bayern Munich already have 10,000 wide players. The Premier League is perhaps where it gets interesting – and it depends who qualifies for Europe.
If you'd have to pick, the most intriguing proposition might be Arsenal. Gabriel Martinelli has been off the pace for some time now, and Pulisic offers the same kind of dribbling ability with an extra creative streak out wide that the Gunners have been missing on the left wing. The question is: would the immense transfer fee make sense for a club that needs to spend big on a striker? Probably not. But in a hypothetical world, thiswould be loads of fun.
JS: He needs to go somewhere where he can play both LW and the 10 position, because his versatility has become an important trait in Italy. There's been reports that Liverpool are interested, but the strength of EPL defenders often saw him fall out of favor at Chelsea. Is a return to England beneficial? A potential dream option would be Bayern Munich in Germany. He could be a brilliant player playing off of Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane, with Michael Olise opposite.
RT: Realistically, it's hard to figure out a logical spot. He's in a weird place where he's at that level just below the elite, which rules out several of the world's top teams. After those teams are out, Pulisic is worth way more to Milan than most teams in that next level would be willing to pay. It's a tenuous limbo, one which makes a Milan stay seem a bit more likely – even if everything does come crashing down. In reality, it would be great to see Pulisic leap to a better team such as Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern, but those teams likely won't come calling. Maybe some of the other heavy-hitters will, but it's hard to find one that would make sense at the moment.
AFPWhat about McKennie and Weah?
TH: Once again, it's not great. It's always good to test yourself at the highest level, and seeing both of them knocked out isn't wonderful, at least from a USMNT POV. Champions League football for that duo specifically is less important. They just need to play. McKennie clearly has a role at Juve. Weah, less so, and might want to leave, anyway.
JS: Weah and McKennie are not at the level of Pulisic. If they play in the UEL in 2025, so be it – that's still a good competitive level for them, and it's become evident that Thiago Motta adores Weston, and trusts Tim. That's a good thing, and you shouldn't abandon it just yet.
RT: Again, these are tough choices. You wouldn't blame either for moving on, and you wouldn't blame either for staying. For McKennie, there might be a bit more pressure given the options in the USMNT midfield, but there is still some juice that comes from even a Europa League version of Juventus. For Weah, the most important thing is getting playing time and, ultimately, contributing in the attack. If he can find that elsewhere, that's a move he'd have to consider.
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AFPIs it important for Americans to play in Champions League?
TH: In an ideal world, every top footballer should be testing themselves at the highest level every week. It's how you get better. And it definitely looks good to have as many U.S. nationals in the fray as possible. But peer over the USMNT roster, and how many are truly good enough to be consistent starters for the top UCL teams? Half, on a good day? Pulisic, McKennie, Ricardo Pepi are probably the only three absolute locks. Weah, Gio Reyna and Musah are all borderline. Sergino Dest is a question mark, when healthy. The point is here that the priority should be to play football, period.
JS: Depending on the player, it is very, very important. Pulisic needs it more than anyone, but it's beneficial for all players of course. Compete against the best, test yourself and grow. If the U.S. wants to become a world powerhouse on the international stage, though, it's almost become a must.
RT: From an optics point of view, it's very important. Everyone loves those records for American appearances, goals or wins in the Champions League, and they all add more legitimacy to the U.S. game. That's the macro level. On the micro level, it's important, but not the end all be all. There are so many factors at play in Europe: fit, finances, playing time, tactics, coaching and, of course, European competition. It's one of many selling points of a club but, for example, playing in the Champions League with a C-league team is not the same as competing in a top-five league week in, week out. It's all more nuanced than that, though, as each individual figures out their own path.