Pochettino could have selected McKennie, trusting that Spalletti is the first Juventus manager in years to be instantly convinced of the multifunctional Texan’s value. The absences mean that, at most, Pochettino will have a single international window to work with his full, first-choice team before he assembles it for next summer’s World Cup. In his year-and-change in charge, Pochettino has never had a full complement of his best players – whether they combine to form his best team or not. Richards’ club manager, Oliver Glasner, was upset at the October call-up, when Richards played all 180 minutes in the heat of Texas and at the altitude of Colorado in spite of an apparent calf issue. But all the caution and planning and diplomacy in the world can’t protect Pochettino and his US squad from it.

Source: The Guardian November 11, 2025 13:04 UTC