Julian Green represents a significant capture for Jurgen Klinsmann after persuading him to ignore interest from Germany in order to commit his international career to the US Men’s National Team (USMNT).
Born in Florida, little is really known about Green as a player. Described as more of a winger than a forward, sources close to the Frankfurt Camp were left suitably impressed by what they saw from the teenager. Already earmarked as playing a part against Mexico next month, talk has already begun over Green’s potential involvement in this summer’s World Cup.
Considering that Green will take one of the coveted 23 spots in Klinsmann’s squad, the news has been met with a divided opinion. Passing a place to a player that is currently playing in Germany’s fourth tier seems counter-productive when there remain so many bubble players with legitimate cases to be heard.
In a situation that seems somewhat reminiscent to England’s inclusion of Theo Walcott in 2006, Green may make the plane, and an impact that far outweighs some of his more established colleagues. However if he is selected and does not make the pitch, questions will be raised.
It’s for that reason that the situation must be carefully managed. Ejecting a player who has spent the last 18 months contributing to the USMNT cause in favor of Green could easily cultivate an air of contempt for the young talent. Given how harmonious the USMNT pool is, it remains vital that dynamic is maintained.
Credit must also go to Klinsmann. The US head coach has helped expand the national team pool via a solid recruitment drive in Europe. Players such as Green and John Anthony Brooks have been persuaded by a cautious, yet focused recruitment approach that sees all pressure removed from the player.
As Green explained in an official press statement: “A big part of the decision was the experience I had in Frankfurt. All the players were super nice and welcomed me from the beginning.”
