Pepi has found the net in each of his last four starts for PSV across all competitions, and he came off the bench to score the winning goal in the Dutch club’s impressive Champions League comeback against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, November 27th.
His hat trick (3 goals in one game) on Saturday, November 23rd’s 5-0 rout of FC Groningen made him the joint-top scorer in the Eredivisie for the 2024/25 season, showcasing his clinical finishing. The 21-year-old is averaging a goal every 56 minutes.
Yet, it remains uncertain if he is PSV’s first-choice center forward. Luuk de Jong has started all five of the club’s Champions League matches this season and has also started nine league games compared to Pepi’s four. Despite the American’s remarkable form, Bosz continues to rotate the lineup.
“Ricardo (Pepi) did a great job, and it’s great to have two players of such high quality for this position,” said Bosz after Pepi’s impressive hat trick against FC Groningen in the Eredivisie.”But there’s no need to bring Luuk (de Jong) into question every time Pepi scores. Both are crucial for us, and who plays is my decision,”
The two strikers have distinct playing styles. De Jong is a traditional frontman, providing PSV with an aerial threat and a focal point for holding up the ball. In contrast, Pepi is a classic penalty box poacher, focusing on positioning himself well inside the area to score, a skill he has been consistently demonstrating recently.
For both club and country, Pepi is in excellent form. The 21-year-old was equally effective for the US men’s national team during the latest international window, scoring in consecutive CONCACAF Nations League matches against Jamaica. His goal in the second leg of the quarter-final was especially impressive, as he skillfully guided the ball into the far corner after cutting inside.
It was the kind of sharpness the US Mens National Team has recently been missing from its center forwards. Since the 2022 World Cup, Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent, and Brandon Vazquez have all been tried in the role with mixed outcomes. While many consider Balogun to have the highest potential among American strikers, Pepi’s recent goals are changing the conversation.
Although Pepi’s goalscoring performances against Jamaica might have elevated him to the top of the USMNT hierarchy, they also underscored areas where he still needs to improve. As a traditional front man, Pepi must enhance his ability to hold up play with his back to goal. He needs to be more involved in possession phases.
To advance in his career, Pepi might need to leave PSV, especially if his current form isn’t sufficient to replace de Jong in the starting lineup. Liverpool and Manchester City have shown interest in the American, and Atletico Madrid is also reportedly keeping an eye on Pepi’s situation. It appears that some of Europe’s biggest clubs are interested in him.
Of course, Pepi must be wise in choosing the right club for his continued development if he decides to leave PSV. He needs game time to build on his natural talent, and he might not get that at Anfield or the Etihad Stadium. There wouldn’t be much point in Pepi swapping one bench at PSV for another one somewhere else.
PSV is currently leading the Eredivisie, having won 12 of their 13 matches so far. The Eindhoven-based team is in a strong position to defend the title they won last season, when de Jong ended as the joint-top scorer in the league with an impressive 29 goals in 34 games. Newcastle United fans must be puzzled by the veteran’s ongoing performance.
This season, however, Pepi is determined to lead PSV’s title challenge. At just 21, the American is still honing his skills and has made significant progress since his early struggles at Augsburg after a record $20m transfer from FC Dallas. There’s plenty of room for him to grow further at his current club, especially if he continues scoring at his current pace.
Whether it’s at PSV or elsewhere, Pepi is evidently prepared to take the next step. His potential has been evident for a long time and is now being realized on the pitch. The path Pepi is on could lead to another Eredivisie title, a transfer to one of Europe’s top clubs, and a starting position for the USA at the 2026 World Cup. It’s all ahead of him.