Why USMNT's Patrick Agyemang deserves a closer look before World Cup

With four months until the 2026 World Cup, it remains unclear which striker Mauricio Pochettino will choose to start for the U.S. Men's National Team. In Europe, there is an option that many might not be considering.

Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright and Josh Sargent are perhaps the options most discussed among the USMNT fan base, but Patrick Agyemang should not be overlooked.

Agyemang, 25, left MLS side Charlotte FC last summer for EFL Championship club Derby County in a move worth $8M, according to Transfermarkt.

Since then, the U.S. forward has become an important player for his team and has already reached double digits in goals. Agyemang has scored 10 goals and provided three assists in 28 league matches.

Patrick Agyemang is proving his worth ahead of the World Cup

He has played a total of 2,104 minutes, starting in 25 of the 28 games in which he has participated. The East Hartford, Conn., native has made it clear he did not go to Europe as a tourist, and today, he is a more than intriguing option for Pochettino ahead of the World Cup.

For reference, Agyemang this season has scored more goals than Balogun (8) and Sargent (8), being surpassed only by Pepi and Wright, both with 11, considering only the previously mentioned players.

"He is improving all the time and while the 5.9 million pounds fee was a lot of money to spend by Championship standards, with every week that passes, it's actually proving to be one hell of a bargain," wrote DerbyshireLive's Leigh Curtis following Derby County's recent 2-0 victory over Swansea City on Saturday."

"He cannot be overlooked by the USA when it comes to the World Cup squad this summer," Curtis added. "He's playing regularly, he's improving with every month that passes, and he continues to plague Championship defenses."