Mauricio Pochettino says he won’t try to ‘convince’ players to opt for the United States
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The Argentinian confirmed that his staff were looking at players around the world eligible to represent the US.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LOS ANGELES – Mauricio Pochettino said on Nov 10 he will not try to “convince” players with dual nationalities to opt for the United States, insisting he wants to build a squad made up of footballers “desperate” to represent the country.
Pochettino is preparing for his second training camp with the US after launching his reign as coach with games against Panama and Mexico in October.
The Argentinian, who named a 25-man squad on Nov 10 for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Jamaica, confirmed that his staff were looking at multiple players around the world eligible to represent the American team.
However, Pochettino said his staff would not expend excessive energy trying to persuade dual-nationality players to pledge their allegiance to the US as the squad prepare for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Two players in particular continue to be linked as possibilities for the American set-up – VfB Stuttgart’s Anrie Chase and Burnley’s Luca Koleosho.
Chase is eligible to represent both Japan and the US, while Koleosho could play for Italy, Canada and the US.
Pochettino declined to comment on Chase and Koleosho specifically, but said the door would always be open to players capable of improving his squad.
“If we really believe that a player that can help us and can improve us, of course we are going to be 100 per cent involved in that situation,” Pochettino said.
“I don’t want to give names, but we are working on other players to try to see if they want to be committed with us.”
However, a player’s individual attitude and desire to represent the US would be the most important factor, Pochettino added.
“We don’t need to convince. A player needs to want to play for the national team,” he said.
“I am Argentinian. I wanted to play for Argentina... it’s not because of a contract. It’s not because of the possibility to play in Europe. No, I was desperate to defend my badge, my flag.
“We need to be careful. No need to convince a player. One player cannot be more important than the team or 300 million people. The player, if he’s an American player, needs to be desperate, needs to show that we need him. Because, if not, we are a weak federation.
“We want maybe less talent but people who will come in and be desperate to defend that shirt and fight for the country. If they show this type of attitude and behaviour, of course, for sure they’re going to have the opportunity to show their quality.”
The US play the first leg of their quarter-final against Jamaica in Kingston on Nov 14 before the return leg in St Louis on Nov 18.
Pochettino’s squad for the two games contained few surprises.
He said midfielder Tyler Adams, who started for Bournemouth in their 3-2 loss to Brentford on Nov 9 in the English Premier League, had been left out of the squad as he regains fitness following injury.
But Pochettino said Adams would be restored to the team once he has regained full fitness, confirming that he had once tried to sign the 25-year-old midfielder when he was manager of Chelsea.
“He’s a very important player for the future of the team. But, at the same time, we need to look after him if we want to have him in the best condition for 2026,” Pochettino said. AFP
