The midfielder has accomplished so much already, but there's still upside that has yet to be unlocked
It's hard to fathom considering how much the world has seen from him already, but Yunus Musah is just 21 years old. At an age where Musah should just be breaking into senior soccer, he already has several seasons at the top, top level under his belt. Let's not forget, he started all four of the USMNT's games during the 2022 World Cup.
Despite all he's already accomplished, Musah is still a developing player and, as he continues that development, there is still one question hanging over all: what kind of player is he going to be?
Right now, Musah feels like a player stuck between positions. He can dribble through just about everyone, but he doesn't yet provide the goals or assists required from a No. 8. He's strong and quick, but he doesn't yet have the defensive instincts of a No. 6. Because of that, Musah is very much a complementary player at this stage of his career, one who can help a midfield, but can't take it over.
The hope has been that his move to Milan would see him develop one way or another. He'd either become a marauding box-to-box monster who could dribble his way into multiple goals a season. Either that or he'd become a game-altering No. 6, one that can receive the ball in pressure and then put that very same pressure on any opposition players in his path.
Realistically, though, those sides of his game haven't emerged. He's still very much the same midfielder as he was at the World Cup in 2022. So, as he marches on in the early days of his career, the question remains: where exactly is Musah heading?
GettyThe move to Milan
After years of being stuck out on the wing at Valencia, Musah's move to Milan felt like a gift. The young American would be taking a major leap up the ladder to one of the world's biggest clubs. He'd also be heading to Italy, a country he'd have no problem adapting to after spending part of his childhood there.
His first season was largely productive. He appeared in 40 matches in all competitions, including nine in Europe. Musah got a taste of those big moments, stepping into major Champions League matches for a club that, despite falling on harder times over the last decade, always has sky-high expectations.
This season, under new coach Paulo Fonseca, the minutes have been harder to come by. Musah has featured in five games so far this season, but just one was a start. Making matters worse: in those five appearances, he's totaled just 147 minutes of playing time. In Tuesday's match against Leverkusen, a 1-0 loss for Milan, Musah didn't make it off the bench.
With Milan often playing a double pivot in midfield, Musah hasn't quite been able to lock down a role. There's an argument to be made that he isn't best equipped to play in a two-man setup, which is something we've seen with the USMNT.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportLessons from the USMNT
Since his commitment to the USMNT, Musah has been the perfect piece. The MMA midfield fit together seamlessly. Musah was an ideal complement to Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie. Adams did the destroying, McKennie marauded and Musah got the U.S. out of difficult situations with his ability to receive and progress the ball.
Without Adams and McKennie in the most recent camp, though, Musah was asked to do more and, at this point, he can't quite lead the midfield on his own.
Against Canada, the Milan midfielder was played next to Johnny Cardoso, who had a rough game to put it lightly. Musah was generally OK, but the USMNT, as a whole, was swarmed by Jesse Marsch's team. Against New Zealand, though, Musah struggled. His passing was great, as he completed 59 of his 61 passes, but he was totally outclassed on the defensive side. He won just one of his seven duels before being yanked at halftime.
You can't judge a player off of two games, particularly two friendlies. However, while Musah has the potential to be a star, the last few weeks have proved that the 21-year-old midfielder isn't quite there yet. He may be a piece, one that can make a difference in winning, but he has yet to prove that he can truly dominate a game regardless of who is next to him.
Getty Images SportFit as a No. 8
There may not be a smoother player than Musah in the USMNT player pool. He glides with the ball at his feet. Regardless of where he receives it and how many players are around him, Musah always seems to advance the ball up the field.
Over the last year, Musah is in the 96th percentile of the Big Five leagues when it comes to progressive carries. He's in the 91st percentile in successful take-ons. When Musah recieves the ball, he advances it safely.
However, once gets the ball from Point A to B by dribbling, he struggles to really do anything with it. He had just two assists last season, although he did add a spectacular one to start this campaign. In terms of goals, he's yet to score for Milan, while he's in the 20th percentile for passes attempted and 37th percentile in progressive passes.
"I have to say it’s a bit frustrating not having scored yet," Musah told SportMediaSet in a recent interview. "I’m working to increase the chances of it happening in a match."
What do those stats show? They paint the picture of a midfielder that can get forward, but doesn't particularly do anything productive. He can beat a defender, but he can't create a goal. Moving the ball up the field is helpful, especially in a three-man midfield, but, players also have to be able to actually do something with it.
That just isn't in Musah's game just yet and, if he wants to be an elite No. 8, he needs to find ways to really impact games with an occasional goal or assist.
GettyFit as a No. 6
The stats paint a clear picture of what Musah needs to improve at on the attacking end. The defensive numbers are even more glaring.
He's in the 20th percentile in tackling, 41st percentile in aerials won and, worst of all, seventh percentile in interceptions. Those numbers paint a clear picture of a player that doesn't quite yet have the defensive instincts required, particularly in a double pivot.
Musah is not yet a natural defensive midfielder and, with Adams out, that fact is even more glaring with the USMNT. It's also why Fonseca tends to rely on Tijjani Reijnders and Youssouf Fofana, who bring much more steel to the Milan midfield.
Given the numbers above, you can see why Musah hasn't quite earned the trust of his new club coach, but that leads us to the important question: how does he earn it?
