In today's football prospect, where the figure of the centre-forward -that big and strong player capable of keeping the ball and moving the team forward- as an offensive reference is rare, Ricardo Pepi has emerged as an anachronistic player who takes us back to times gone by.
Born in El Paso, Texas, USA, on 9 January 2003 and formed at clubs such as North Texas SC and Dallas, he attracted the attention of European clubs before joining FC Augsburg in 2022, followed by a loan spell at FC Groningen and finally signing for his current club, PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie, in the summer of 2023.
Internationally, Pepi made the decision to represent the United States over Mexico, becoming an important player for the US national team. His youth, combined with his experience in both MLS and European football, positions him as one of the most promising strikers in North American football.
As a striker, Ricardo Pepi stands out for his ability to define with both feet, his remarkable presence in the box, his great aerial play and his intelligence in his off-the-ball movements.
Technically, he is a fairly good player, although he doesn´t fit with an attacking profile excessively ball demanding. However, he is coordinated and effective in both execution and decision making on the ball.
Tactically, he is also an intelligent striker and especially interesting in positional play contexts, as he is a forward who is not very comfortable outside the box. He suffers in open space situations, with advanced defences and in possessions far away from the opponent's goal.
Part of this room for improvement lies, therefore, in his physical side. He is a tall and strong player, very good in duels, but somewhat slow in transitions and in long distances.
Finally, on the mental side, it is important to highlight the hunger, leadership and voracity of a striker who, without doubt, he is starting to showing himself as one of the great striker figures in European football for the future.
Click here to see full scouting report.
Born in El Paso, Texas, USA, on 9 January 2003 and formed at clubs such as North Texas SC and Dallas, he attracted the attention of European clubs before joining FC Augsburg in 2022, followed by a loan spell at FC Groningen and finally signing for his current club, PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie, in the summer of 2023.
Internationally, Pepi made the decision to represent the United States over Mexico, becoming an important player for the US national team. His youth, combined with his experience in both MLS and European football, positions him as one of the most promising strikers in North American football.
As a striker, Ricardo Pepi stands out for his ability to define with both feet, his remarkable presence in the box, his great aerial play and his intelligence in his off-the-ball movements.
Technically, he is a fairly good player, although he doesn´t fit with an attacking profile excessively ball demanding. However, he is coordinated and effective in both execution and decision making on the ball.
Tactically, he is also an intelligent striker and especially interesting in positional play contexts, as he is a forward who is not very comfortable outside the box. He suffers in open space situations, with advanced defences and in possessions far away from the opponent's goal.
Part of this room for improvement lies, therefore, in his physical side. He is a tall and strong player, very good in duels, but somewhat slow in transitions and in long distances.
Finally, on the mental side, it is important to highlight the hunger, leadership and voracity of a striker who, without doubt, he is starting to showing himself as one of the great striker figures in European football for the future.
Click here to see full scouting report.