Craig Burley has praised the performances of the USA national team, as well as Leeds United duo Tyler Adams and Brendan Aaronson at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as he told ESPN.
The former Scotland international shared that Adams and Aaronson ‘aren’t getting plucked from Manchester City and Liverpool’, but they are in a ‘relegation battle’ with Leeds.
He feels that makes the USA’s performance against England – where they recorded a goalless draw on Friday night – more impressive given the ‘elite’ level of players Gareth Southgate has to pick from and how Gregg Berhalter is picking from a much smaller pool.
Despite that, Adams bossed proceedings in the middle of the park and the 23-year-old was praised by USA pundit Burley.
“You look at where England have taken their players from, all the elite clubs basically,” said Burley. “Then you look at Tim Ream, who is in his mid-30s. Playing for Fulham.
“Tyler Adams and Aaronson, who come on and is a big player, are fighting a relegation battle with Leeds. They aren’t getting plucked from Manchester City and Liverpool.”
USA SHOW ENGLAND UP
It was all rosy in the England garden after they had thrashed Iran, including putting six past Carlos Queiroz’s side, who would later go on to beat Wales.
But when Gareth Southgate’s side came up against a more forward-thinking, brave, powerful and athletic USA side, they stood still.
Whilst both still walked away with a point, those from across the pond were the much better side, despite the difference in both teams.
England have two centre-backs – Harry Maguire and John Stones – worth over £100 million, whereas the USA played a player in his mid-30s and another that’s never tasted Premier League football.
That’s just one of the stark differences between the two, as England should progress to the knockout stages, but will the USA join them?
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