Ricardo Pepi's Premier League Rejection May Unlock USMNT Stardom
Should Fulham get their wish, Ricardo Pepi will be competing in the Premier League come the 2026-27 season.
However, the American forward is currently remaining with PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie, which benefits the U.S. men's national team as he competes for a World Cup squad position at this summer's expanded 48-team competition.
Although this means PSV won't receive the $43.7 million transfer bid immediately, and Pepi won't join USMNT colleague Antonee Robinson in the world's most-watched league right away, it ensures he stays at a club with a clear pathway to achievement.
Every transfer carries potential risks in a player's journey, but making a move during a World Cup year can be pivotal for one's career, whatever the outcome.
"For me, what matters is that the player feels content and at ease," USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino explained when discussing his players' transfer window movements, particularly Alex Freeman's move from Orlando City to Villarreal.
"However, we don't want them settling into a comfort zone. I believe it's an incredible opportunity that we must support and assist them in adapting optimally, while maintaining focus on performance if they transfer to different teams. The World Cup remains our priority."
Learning from 2022
Learning from 2022
For Pepi, transferring during a World Cup year is something he knows well. In 2022, after departing his hometown MLS team FC Dallas, Pepi joined Augsburg in the Bundesliga, where he found it difficult to secure playing time and score goals.
When USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter announced the World Cup roster, Pepi found himself excluded.
Following less than twelve months at Augsburg, during which he failed to score in 16 matches, he joined Groningen on loan before securing a permanent transfer to PSV, where he has emerged as one of the Netherlands' premier strikers. Despite injury setbacks this season, he has netted eight goals in 15 matches, following his 11 goals in 18 games during the club's 2024-25 league championship run.
This scoring record suggests he could succeed in the Premier League eventually, but currently, he can concentrate on developing his form before the World Cup.
USMNT Striker Competition
USMNT Striker Competition
With the 2026 tournament approaching, competition for USMNT striker positions is intensifying. AS Monaco's Folarin Balogun probably still holds the advantage among those vying to start, with his four goals in 12 Ligue 1 appearances this season, but the competition behind him is fierce.
Based on his scoring statistics, Pepi is well-positioned. However, knee problems and a fractured arm have restricted his playing time, creating opportunities for others like Derby County's Patrick Agyemang, Coventry City's Haji Wright, and potentially MLS-bound Josh Sargent to stake their claims.
Pepi didn't earn his first appearance under Pochettino until November during a friendly victory over Paraguay. This indicates he's not guaranteed a roster spot, despite his impressive scoring record. The consistency he experiences at PSV should aid his selection prospects.