Emerson Hyndman update

I promised i would post an update on Emerson Hyndmans performances so here it is. I have watched a number of the U18 games so far and have been really impressed with Emerson's performances, in fact the game that bought home how much influence he has on the team was the Newcastle game when we lost 1-0. Although they started like a storm this season looks like a holding one with many 16 year olds in the team and key players now missing games because of internationals or promotion into the U21's.

Against Man City he was playing against a future star in Midfielder Angel and compared well for the 1st 45mins Angel played(I looked him up after the game and City payed £6m to Real Madrid on his 16th birthday, this kid has everything, a mini Messi).The fact we went 3-1 up in the first half speaks volumes for Emersons performance against him.

Against Newcastle who were bottom we lacked someone to pick a pass and move the ball at the right time. Although most of the 2nd half was spent in the Newcastle half we really did not show the fluency, control and guile that Emerson provides and was desperately needed to break down a back 6 with 3 midfielders protecting them hanging on to their lead.

Emerson has a rare ability to play the game at his pace using his vision to pick a pass. He isn''t slow but does not have the electric pace of many other players but with twist turns creates space, keeps a cool head in tight corners playing his way out with quick one twos. He moves the ball well and despite his size is not easily knocked off the ball and certainly has no hesitation in going in for crunching tackles when the ball has to be won. It sounds like a lazy comparison to make but he plays so like Danny Murphy, has the same stature, not as stocky but solid.

On Saturday we played against Villa who could well go on and win the league, probably a draw would have been fairer on play but we gave away 3 silly goals , though not sure the first was a penalty and got out muscled. Villa looked an older team but were very physical, arriving late, going through the back of players. The point here is that if you had any concerns about Emerson not being able to handle the physical side of the game this game would have made them disappear. Next to Sambou, who is our own pocket battleship, built like a brick wall Emerson compared well, getting stuck in and making a solid block tackle with a physically bigger and stronger player coming away with the ball.

I must say when you look at the U18's there are 5 stand out players - Dembele and Roberts who Jol is already talking about and Donnelly, Hyndman and George Williams. Whether any of them make it is in the lap of the Gods but they all have a good share of talent and skill and generally stand out when playing against other top U18 teams. I'm sure the three who turn 18 this year Dembele, Donnelly and Hyndman will get contracts into the U21's next season. I better get move on as I'm off to the Palace game shortly.

 

Great stuff MH, really appreciate the eyewitness account. Have a great time at Palace and hope the lads match the energy of the support. Love reading about the Academy :handgestures-thumbupleft:

 

Yes, thank you very much for the account. Enjoy Selhurst Park and COYW!!!

 

Thanks for the summary.

 

Emerson was on a US U-18 team that finished second at some tournament in France two weeks ago.

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/u-18-mnt/2 ... ament.aspx

 

Nice one. Thanks lax

 

2 wins and a come from behind draw with France. Hyndman had the tying assist against France and the winning assist vs the Czeh Republic. I guess his teammates call him Emo.

And I echo the thanks to the Master for the first hand reports - much appreciated

 

Here are some U-18 highlights.....I believe he is #10.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp29VKOgMwg[/youtube]

 

Your correct Hyndman is No 10, from the clips it seemed too frenetic with players putting their heads down not aware of players around them for Emerson to show his stuff. there were two good examples of Emerson he was the player that stood with ball on the corner of their box waiting for a player to make a run, Its uncanny that when he does that in games the opponents stand off him and wait for him to do something. He also made a pass for a player running into the box for a shot and delivered the corner for the Goal. Each time he was in a clip you can pick him out as the guy that is always seems to be constantly in a trademark loping jog.

 

The Wycombe benching signaled that his days are numbered. The kid is too good to play in reserve matches only.

 

Well, thanks for that, HD. I learned a bit, and that doesn't happy too often these days!

 

I agree. I reeeaaally wanted this to work out for the kid at Fulham beacuse I think Hyndman is going to be a starter for the USMNT sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, Fulham just aren't in a position to give him the first team minutes he needs. As American Fulham fans I think we're in a unique position of wanting him to move on for his development, whereas most Fulham fans probably don't care what happens to him once he leaves (paging Paddy Roberts).

I think giving Hyndman first team minutes early last season ended up being a horrible piece of management by the club (one of the many things we can blame Magath for I suppose). He got a taste of first team minutes maybe a little too early and wasn't happy in the U21s after that. I really wish we would have signed him on a long term deal before last season and loaned him out. Then he would have had a chance to show his worth and get into the first team here.

I'm afraid this will be another player we look back on and think "What if...?"