Gio Reyna “can be whatever he wants to be,” according to former US international Brad Friedel, who believes the Borussia Dortmund midfielder would not look out of place at Real Madrid or a Premier League heavyweight if a future one were to materialize. transfer.
For now, the highly skilled 18-year-old is very focused on the present and on coming back from a last injury. He will want to get back in shape for the second half of Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga season and the push from the US national team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, it is expected that there will come a time when he must take the next step in his career, as top teams across Europe already notice Reyna’s obvious potential.
In an interview with GOAL, former US goalkeeper Friedel said the biggest question with Reyna will be avoiding injuries: “He also needs to stay fit. He has had some problems. But he has done very well. Basically from the moment it happened [to Germany] He has done well and has gone from strength to strength ”.
Could Reyna one day follow in her father’s footsteps and play for England? Friedel thinks so: “I could play in the Premier League. When you get to the Premier League, there is a learning curve due to their physical appearance. Could you get used to it, adapt, and thrive? Absolutely.
“He can graft and do the defensive work, pressure, if that’s what the game system demands. It has the tools to be all of that.
Could Gio Reyna end up at Real Madrid?
Friedel envisions that the best clubs in the world will be the next destination for the young American star.
“He’s used to a big club so it won’t be a problem if he leaves,” Friedel said. It seems normal to him and it won’t be daunting. “
Along with the inevitable ties to ambitious teams in the Premier League, Reyna has also piqued the interest of La Liga giants Real Madrid.
It has been suggested that the Whites could target him as a long-term successor to Luka Modric, a player Friedel once played alongside at Tottenham.
He said of that large billing: “They are different. Gio would need to play many more games to control the tempo of a game like Luka Modric.
“They are different players. Luka is one of the special midfielders who can play as No. 6, No. 8, or No. 10. He can control an entire game with his passing – speed up, slow down, and it doesn’t even look like he’s running. . That is something that is not taught, he does not train, it is only in his football brain.
“There are many more games that Gio will need to play to be there, but could he play for one of the big clubs? Will he be able to play for Real Madrid one day? Yes. I think it has that quality. “