Tyler Adams has been nothing less than a hit at Elland Road since his arrival in the summer, but Jesse Marsch believes he has so much more to give. In fact, the head coach feels comfortable in challenging the USA international to go on and become ‘one of the best defensive midfielders’ in the world game.
Such is the confidence and belief that Marsch has in Adams’ ability, mentality and potential, he sees that as a suitable goal for the 23-year-old, who is fresh from captaining his country in the World Cup finals, to strive for. It’s fair to say no one is better equipped or more qualified to speak about Adams’ prospects, either, having worked with him, on and off, since he was just 15 years old.
The relationship between the pair has been well-documented, with Marsch handing the midfielder his first senior minutes with New York Red Bulls in the MLS before facilitating his moves to RB Leipzig and Leeds. As such, the head coach knew all about the type of performances he has shown he is capable of producing in a Leeds shirt and he knows all about the potential he has to grow and develop as he builds towards his peak years as a player.
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“I think he can improve in almost every aspect,” Marsch told NBC Sports. “I’m always challenging him to be physically on top of matches, to tactically be intelligent and fit within a game every phase exactly what he needs to, to be confident on the ball and not just be satisfied by completing passes.
“Also, to be a difference maker in terms of in that position making the right kind of passes to set up the attacking moments and set up the attacking players so they can be effective in what they do, to be good at counter-pressing, to make sure he wins his duels, to make sure he has the pride to make sure they don’t get by him and he’s the kind of lockdown defender that I know he is.
“The next challenge is can he do that at the highest level every game in the best league against the best players and emerge as one of the best defensive midfielders in the game. That, by the way, when I coached him at the New York Red Bulls, is the exact same challenge I gave him.”
Adams has already emerged as a leader at Elland Road, bossing the midfield, leading by example and providing a voice for his teammates both on and off the field. Unlike at Leipzig, though, Marsch hasn’t asked him to specifically play that role with the Whites, instead allowing him to settle into his natural game and rhythm.
“I was asking Tyler more when I went to Leipzig to be a bigger voice and a bigger leader because I felt that that club and team was more devoid of that,” the head coach added. “When he came to Leeds I believed we had really good leadership and an understanding of what was necessary to be the best version.
“I just wanted him to be Tyler, I just wanted him to focus on getting back to the things that make him a good player and I think the relief of some of that, without the pressure of being a leader, to be himself, which is naturally a leader.
“It’s not like he’s a massive voice in the team but he’s a well-respected voice and given where he is at within our group, that’s where he should be and where’s best for him.”
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