New England Revolution’s assistant coach Pablo Moreira has shared insights into the membership’s choice to signal Tremendous Eagles midfielder Alhassan Yusuf from Belgian aspect Royal Antwerp, Soccernet.ng reviews.
Yusuf, who made his transfer to Main League Soccer in August 2024, has already performed a key position for his new staff, serving to them safe a significant 1-0 victory over Nashville SC on September 28, breaking a five-game winless streak.
Brandon Bye scored the winner late within the 86th minute, however it was Yusuf’s tireless work in midfield that caught everybody’s consideration.
His capacity to cowl floor and win the ball in deep positions was important for the Revolution’s management of the match.
Moreira praised the midfielder’s efficiency, highlighting Yusuf’s presence all through the build-up to the objective.
“I feel as extra video games go, you’re going to see him be extra comfy,” Moreira mentioned as per the Blazing Musket.
“But it surely’s what we noticed, it’s why we needed him right here, and he’s simply scratching the floor as a result of, I mentioned this final time, he’s received a world-class engine.
“You don’t sneak into the Nigerian Nationwide Staff with out having a superhuman energy, and that’s his. He’s simply received an engine that he can go, and such as you noticed, he’s aggressive, he’s a bit undersized, however you noticed aerially, he wins balls. He’s connecting all his passes.”
Yusuf’s arrival in New England is not any shock to Moreira, who had seen the Nigerian worldwide at his finest in Europe.
Recalling a memorable efficiency throughout Antwerp’s historic 3-2 win over Barcelona within the Champions League, the place Yusuf supplied an help, Moreira defined that the midfielder’s high quality was evident.
“And it’s simply, once more, what we noticed out of him,” Moreira added.
“If anybody has any questions on Yusuf, there’s a recreation that all of us noticed—it was in opposition to Barcelona, and to me, he was man of the match.
“He’s simply scratching the floor as a result of he’s received a world-class engine.”
Yusuf’s willpower and flexibility have already been praised by head coach Caleb Porter.
Porter emphasised the midfielder’s capacity to dominate each ends of the pitch, including that Yusuf, together with different new signings, has shortly tailored to the staff.
“He’s very rangy, covers a ton of floor, wins balls, and helps our staff management video games on each side of the ball,” Porter informed the membership’s web site.
Yusuf himself is worked up concerning the staff’s potential and was relieved to assist safe the win.
“We had a extremely good recreation within the first half… while you hold going and the objective comes towards the top, it’s sort of a reduction. These are actually vital factors for the staff,” Yusuf remarked.
The Tremendous Eagles midfielder, who featured in 30 video games for Antwerp final season, has already made a big affect in MLS, showing in 4 matches for the New England Revolution, together with two begins.
Because the season progresses, Yusuf is anticipated to play a fair larger position as he continues to regulate to life in the US.