'Ricardo Pepi is the most underrated player in the Eredivisie' - Netherlands international Quilindschy Hartman in awe of USMNT star

Feyenoord's promising left-back Quilindschy Hartman has shared his opinions on USMNT star Ricardo Pepi, lavishing praise of the PSV forward by calling him among the most underrated players in Eredivisie. Hartman and Pepi have faced each other on multiple occasions in the Dutch top-flight, with Feyenoord and PSV both part of the league's traditional big three.

Since signing for PSV ahead of the 2023-24 season, Pepi has mostly made appearances for the Eindhoven side off the bench. He finds himself behind veteran striker Luuk de Jong in the pecking order under manager Peter Bosz. However, that hasn't stopped Pepi from being a clinical striker for the Eredivisie table-toppers.

PSV have 33 points in 12 games to find themselves atop the Dutch top flight, with De Jong and Pepi both chipping in with six goals in 11 appearances. However, the latter has only played 418 minutes in the league. His overall numbers are even more astonishing; the 21-year-old is directly involved in a goal every 59 minutes since joining PSV.

Pepi has become a fixture for the USMNT, scoring 11 goals in 31 games already. Despite his effectiveness and incredible output, he hasn't been able to break into the PSV starting XI just yet and Netherlands international Hartman believes that Pepi is not rated as highly as he deserves.

"I always think Pepi is good," Hartman told Voetbalzone when asked about the league's most underrated player. "He doesn't get many minutes, but he always scores. I wish he played for Feyenoord. I think he's a really good player."

Hartman also revealed that he was trying to convince Pepi to join him at Feyenoord before the American signed for PSV.

"I asked him then if he would come to Feyenoord, but unfortunately that turned out not to be feasible. We certainly have a number of injuries in that position [this season], so we could have used him, yes.”

Pepi has more opportunities in front of him to further prove his mettle as he'll be leading the line for USMNT in the absence of Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent. They will face Jamaica in the two-legged quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League on Friday, November 15, and next Tuesday, November 19.