- Howard suspects Sargent faces obstacles beyond where he plays
- Emphasized goal scoring should be the primary criterion
- Howard believes Pochettino respects the بطولة
Former U.S. star Tim Howard weighed in on Josh Sargent’s absence from recent وطني team rosters, suggesting the issue goes beyond the striker playing in إنجلترا‘s second tier. Howard said consistent goal scoring should be the top priority in striker selection, adding he’d choose in-form forwards regardless of league.
“He’s [at a] really, really good level. He didn’t get called in last year, I suspect, unless something changes, even if he has a great season, maybe he’s not Poch’s cup of tea,” Howard said on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast with Landon Donovan.
Yet, contrary to some opinions, Howard doesn’t think Sargent’s lack of call-ups under Pochettino is solely down to the striker playing in the Championship. Considering all of the years the Argentine spent in England with ساوثهامبتون و توتنهام, Howard believes the USMNT manager is well-aware of the quality of the English Championship.
“Given where we are, you know this, given where we are on the front line, like goals, they’re at a premium, I would bring a guy who scored, so I’m not sure about that [Pochettino’s decision not to call in Sargent].
“So It’s a tough one. You know, I genuinely think Poch rates the championship. He’s been in England long enough to lknow that’s a good level…I think he’s also about now that he’s the coach of the U.S team. He’s also balancing a top European League, the championship, and MLS like, that’s where his players are coming from”
Howard insinuated Pochettino isn’t weighing league against players, but is more focusing on fit within his tactics.
“So I think he probably says, like, ‘You’re there, they’re about if you’re playing in the MLS or the championship’. I don’t think he looks down on that,” Howard explained. “So as long as you’re playing, but that’s why I’m saying there’s something, there must be something else there. Because the guy [Sargent] scores goals, right?”
It is worth noting Sargent hasn’t scored for the USMNT since 2019 and has had challenges previously under other managers like Gregg Berhalter, for example. Yet, with the striker in strong form – and other forwards like Folarin Balogun being injured – it is puzzling that Sargent hasn’t had a longer look under Pochettino.
Sargent will need to continue his impressive goal scoring form for نورويتش City to force his way back into national team consideration ahead of upcoming September مباريات ودية ضد كوريا الجنوبية و اليابان.
