If you know anything about Mauricio Pochettino, it’s that he most days doesn’t like to talk about his players in the media.
It’s about the team. It’s a collective performance.
But after the 2-0 win over Australia, he was happy to make an exception for 21-year-old Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the USMNT’s World Cup team.
“He’s a lovely guy, and he’s an amazing player,” Pochettino said after Freeman scored the second goal against the Socceroos. “For me, he has the potential to be one of the best players in his position in the world.”
Those are heady words about a player, who didn’t make his first pro start until 16 months ago.
“He’s such a humble guy,” Pochettino added. “He has an amazing profile, he wants to learn, he always listens. He’s a player that you really enjoy being with, not only coaching.”
Freeman’s athletic pedigree is well known — he’s the son of retired Green Bay Packers star Antonio Freeman — and he showed off his physical attributes, winning 10 duels and making four tackles against Australia (both game highs).
But Freeman’s impressive soccer skills and instincts are what make him so special.
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