In the aftermath of elimination from big tournaments, it can be a good time to take stock of the bigger picture, or ‘decompress’ as USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said. And a couple of guys who might just be doing that are goalkeeper Matt Turner, and the head coach himself.
Starting with Turner, the Arsenal stopper is yet to play a match for the Gunners. But after a successful tournament for the USMNT, the 28-year-old might be considering his future with his lack of game time at Arsenal.
Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner in the summer 🧤 pic.twitter.com/ypVwLjQNJv
— GOAL (@goal) January 27, 2022Arsenal could win the Premier League title
It would be a wrench to leave at this moment in time with the Gunners top of the Premier League. Arsenal are +220 to win the title with the betting football sites, who all have the Gunners as their second favorites to win the trophy.
The majority of football tips being predicted before the resumption of the Premier League would probably guess that second is where Arsenal will eventually end up, which isn’t bad. But due to not being the established number one at Arsenal, Turner may decide to jump ship if the right offer comes in.
And after impressing at the World Cup, this January might be the time to consider leaving. Turner is far more likely to get a big move in January, after only conceding one goal in three group games, than he is next summer, after sitting on the bench for Arsenal for the next six months.
The situation isn’t critical yet for Turner. But if a goalkeeping star emerges for the US who is playing every week, then Turner’s place may come under major scrutiny. Arsenal is a great club to be at, but if it comes down to a choice between two quality keepers, and one is playing every week and the other is on the bench, it becomes an easy decision.
Can Berhalter be tempted by a move to Europe?
Another man who may be looking at the bigger picture is head coach Gregg Berhalter. His contract runs out at the end of December, and while there is no risk to his job at the moment, might he see this as his chance to break into management in Europe?
Gregg Berhalter on whether he'd be look to be USMNT coach in 2026 🗣
“I’ve only been focused on the World Cup, achieving things with this group. In the next couple of weeks, I’ll clear my head and think about what’s next.” pic.twitter.com/xdLy2xpwwr
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) December 3, 2022The carrot of leading the USMNT to the 2026 World Cup on home soil is huge, and a once in a lifetime chance in the world of sports. But as Alexi Lalas has already pointed out, even having a contract up until 2026 doesn’t guarantee that happening.
Gregg Berhalter will have advisors, and they may well be in his ear telling him he will never get a better chance to crack Europe, and maybe end up in the Premier League like his compatriot Jesse Marsch at Leeds United. The USMNT has a January camp followed by a couple of friendlies against Serbia and Columbia. This gives the US time to find a replacement if Berhalter did decide to leave. But with his current deal running out at the end of the year, it’s inevitable that the decision to stay or go will have to be taken long before the
