Yunus Musah growing in midfield role under new Valencia boss Gattuso

Yunus Musah’s versatility has made him a key part of the U.S. men’s national team and now the American midfielder is aiming for a major

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step forward at club level this coming La Liga season Musah is set to feature under a new manager at Valencia with Gennaro Gattuso taking over

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for Jose Bordalas earlier this offseason following a ninth place finish during the 2021-22 campaign. Gattuso, a longtime midfielder and FIFA

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World Cup winner during his playing days, is preparing for his first coaching spell in Spain after mainly managing in his native Italy during his career.

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The 19-year-old Musah has been used as both a winger and a midfielder during his first two seasons with Valencia’s first team as he continues

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his overall development, but Gattuso seems set to keep Musah in the heart of his midfield heading into the 2022-23 season.

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“I having been playing in midfield in training,” Musah said this week following a preseason win over Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

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We are working on it. The coach was also a midfielder and he is helping us a lot with showing us how to play there. He sees on the pitch that we can do it.

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“He wants to see me on the ball more,” Musah added. “He gives us clear ideas about how to play I’m trying to do my best. I have always grown when playing

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in the position I’m in now, both at the VCF [Valencia C.F.] Academy and now in the national team, and I like it. It’s what the coach wants.”

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Musah has totaled 71 appearances for Valencia since debuting in 2020, notching five goals and one assist in all competitions,

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becoming one of the rising talents in Europe. The former Arsenal youth player has carried his rapid rise over to the international level with the USMNT,

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earning 18 caps to date under Gregg Berhalter, and recently helping the Americans qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup earlier this year.

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With Valencia aiming to get back into the top-six race in Spain, Musah’s role in the squad will only grow as Gattuso brings valuable experience to the club.

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