'It just feeds more into the narrative that he’s not invested' - Herculez Gomez criticizes USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino for lack of communication with PSV's Sergino Dest

U.S. international Sergino Dest recently revealed that he’s yet to speak to USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, but has been in touch with the team's assistant coaches. Former U.S. striker and current analyst Herculez Gomez expressed surprise that Dest - having recovered from a long-term injury - has not spoken directly with the USMNT head coach.

Gomez questioned whether Pochettino is fully committed to the role.

“No,” Gomez said on Futbol Americas when asked if he was fine with Dest’s revelation. “This just adds to the narrative of Mauricio Pochettino is preoccupied with other things. With the YouTube charity matches, with going to watch Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario with his friends, with hanging out in Europe or talking about Tottenham or how much you’d like to go back there and it makes people feel that the $6 million they gave you aren’t going to good use. Like you’re not as invested in this national team, in this program as you should.

“Because if you would, one would assume if you’re very invested, you pick up the phone as soon as you get there and you say, ‘Who are the pillars of this USMNT team I have?’ I have a Christian Pulisic - not let me pick up the phone and talk to Pulisic, but fly out there and talk to him. Then there’s Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Sergino Dest."

Gomez called Dest a "difference-maker" and that Pochettino should treat him as such.

“Sergino Dest, on this level with this national team is a difference-maker," he said. "If he’s a player you know is coming back into health, who you will desperately need at some point, I don’t pick up the phone. I don’t send my assistant, I go fly out there with a medical doctor or with somebody and say ‘What’s going on here, when can you be back, how do you feel?’ and etc.

“Because that’s what a national team coach should do, that’s especially what a national team coach who is paid the highest amount in the history of US Soccer has to do - and it just feeds more into the narrative that he’s not invested."

Pochettino's appointment as USMNT head coach initially generated excitement given his impressive club resume. However, the team struggled, losing both matches in the CONCACAF Nation's League Finals.

The USMNT will gather next before the 2025 Gold Cup, which starts from June 14, although Pochettino’s side face Turkey and Switzerland in international friendlies on June 6 and 10, respectively.