'Can't continue like this' - Ricardo Pepi's agent warns PSV Eindhoven over lack of playing time amid concerns USMNT star could lose spot ahead of Copa America and Olympic tournaments

The USMNT star signed for the Dutch side in the summer and has enjoyed a productive first campaign. Pepi has registered nine goals so far this term, averaging one every 66 minutes. While impressive, that ratio also owes a lot to his lack of playing time, with Pepi starting just two of the 35 matches he has played in as veteran Luuk de Jong continues to get the nod. That move appears to be justified, with De Jong racking up 33 goal involvements and PSV seven points clear at the top of the Eredivisie, but Pepi admits he is naturally frustrated at his efforts not being rewarded with more time on the pitch.

The USMNT forward told Voetbal International in an interview on Tuesday: "I also talked to the coach about how I can get more playing time. He says that I have to stay patient and keep doing what I am doing, because there will be times when I can help the team and then I have to be ready. It is of course difficult to be patient for so long. I feel good during training and when I come on the field, I regularly score. Then you want to explode as a striker. So it is difficult, but at the same time I knew that I wanted to go to PSV and that there would be several good attackers [there]. I am not satisfied with my playing time, but I am satisfied with the goals I have scored.”

Pepi's agent Garcia underlined his client's satisfaction at PSV, at least for now, but stressed the need for change ahead of two huge international tournaments this summer. "First of all, there is complete understanding, because Luuk de Jong is a phenomenon and we must take our hats off to his achievements. But at the same time, this season is not good enough for Ricardo. Ten percent of all playing time is of course far too little. He understands, is patient and congratulates Luuk, but for himself it is not enough. However, I have never met a player who was happy when he didn’t play.

“If you play so little, you can also lose your place in the national team. With the Copa America this year and the World Cup in two years’ time in your own country, there are two great tournaments coming up. Ricardo wants and needs to be there. That’s why it can’t continue like this. He will have to take a step in his career. That’s just normal. Every player wants to continue to grow and reach his full potential. Ricardo obviously prefers to do that at PSV. Ricardo is far from home and he wants to have a home in Europe.”

Not only has Pepi been scoring goals for PSV, they have been important ones, too. The Texas-born striker notched the winner in a five-goal thriller against Sevilla in the Champions League, which saw the Dutch side overturn a two-goal deficit. Most recently, Pepi scored a 97th-minute winner against FC Twente when the scores were headed for 0-0. He was, however, helpless as a substitute when PSV recorded their first defeat of the season with a 3-1 loss to NEC last Saturday.

Pepi's tally currently stands at seven goals as a substitute. He only needs one more to level Erik Meijer's eight goals for the club from the bench, which remains a PSV record.

Clearly, given his agent's words, his future at PSV remains uncertain. At international level, he will hope to be a part of Gregg Berhalter's USMNT squad to travel to the upcoming Copa America on home soil having featured in the their most recent Nations League triumph. Pepi may then have his sights set on Paris for the Summer Olympics a few weeks later.