Tyler Adams: The Bundesliga Star with a Premier League Future?
The current football era appears to be the most promising in the United States’ history in the sport. With the likes of Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, Weston McKennie, and Serginio Dest establishing themselves as top-flight players, the future certainly looks bright for America. However, arguably the most vital piece in the country’s football puzzle is RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams.
The 21-year-old spent nine years with the New York Red Bulls before joining Leipzig in 2019, where he reunited with his former manager, Jesse Marsch. Since the transfer, Adams’ versatility has seen him become a central figure in Julian Nagelsmann’s all-action system. So, having been linked to several Premier League clubs, let’s consider whether the midfielder could one day become the Premier League’s next American star.
Climbing the Red Bull Football Ladder
As touched on above, Adams is one of several players to have benefited from Red Bull’s ever-growing involvement in football. Although named RasenBallsport Leipzig, the Bundesliga outfit are one of four Red Bull-owned clubs and were the beneficiaries when Adams opted to depart the Red Bulls in January 2019. Interestingly, the 21-year-old isn’t the only player to have made this transition, with Red Bull Salzburg’s Hwang Hee-chan swapping the Austrian champions for Nagelsmann’s team in the 2020 summer transfer window.
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According to a report from the Bundesliga website, the transfer to sign Adams saw Leipzig secure his services on a long-term deal. His versatility has been a real weapon for the club’s German coach, who deployed the American in three different positions throughout the 2019-20 campaign. Although he predominately lined up as a defensive midfielder, Adams also featured as a right-sided full-back and midfielder. This season, the 21-year-old appears to have added another string to his bow, starting as a central defender in Leipzig’s 3-0 win over Nuremberg in their DFP Cup first-round match.
What Could the Future Hold for the Midfielder?
Following a string of impressive performances for Die Rotten Bull, transfer links to various cubs have emerged, including the current Premier League champions, Liverpool. A report from Liverpool.com state that the 21-year-old would be an ideal, ready-made option for Jurgen Klopp and the club’s American owners, Fenway Sports Group.
If the former Red Bulls midfielder is to move to the Premier League, then the recent legalisation of sports betting in America enables football fans to keep track of their rising star’s progress. As per Legal Betting’s comprehensive state guide to legal gambling, those in New Jersey – the home of New York Red Bulls – can immerse themselves in football-related markets, including Premier League betting, as well as fantasy sports and sports-themed casino games. Crucially, this progression would allow for US-based supporters to engage with Adams’ next move in a number of ways, especially if it’s to the English top flight.
The Premier League has long had a history of embracing American players, as evident from the likes of Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard. While much has changed in football since that era, including the introduction of goal-line technology, US-born competitors continue to move to the Premier League, with Christian Pulisic being the most recent example. While there are no guarantees that Adams will follow his national teammate’s footsteps, there can be no doubts that the 21-year-old midfielder would be a suitable addition to any side in the division.
The Potential to be an All-Time Great
Irrespective of what the future holds for Leipzig’s American prospect, there can be no doubts that he possesses the talent to be one of the country’s most successful footballers. Due to the demands of the modern game, versatility is arguably one of the most sought-after attributes, and the 21-year-old has it in abundance. While it’s unclear if the likes of Liverpool will come in for his signature, few would be surprised if the 2019-20 Premier League champions one day targeted the defensive midfielder.