David Moyes, Gary Lineker praise Leeds Utd star as ‘best player on pitch’ after hailing his World Cup display

West Ham manager David Moyes has revealed how people in the United States have reacted to the dominant display from Tyler Adams in USMNT’s 0-0 draw against England at the World Cup.

Gareth Southgate’s side were unable to break down their American opponents and were arguably fortunate to escape with a point in the Kalifa Stadium in Qatar. Indeed, the best chances of the game certainly fell to the Americans.

That draw leaves both sides well placed to qualify from Group B, with their fate to be sealed on Tuesday evening.

Since that result, England have faced plenty of criticism for their failure to gain all three points. In the circumstances, though, a draw is not a bad result with only a 4-0 hammering to Wales able to deny England their place in the last 16.

The USA were able to dominate England in midfield with their ‘mid-block’ leaving Harry Maguire and John Stones passing across the defensive lines for far longer than expected.

And no one epitomises what the USA are all about than captain fantastic, Adams.

The midfielder has settled very quickly into Premier League life at Leeds since his summer move from RB Leipzig. That deal will ultimately cost Leeds a fee in excess of £20m, though it already looks like money well spent.

Furthermore, Adams’ ability in the centre of the park has drawn comparisons to one of their favourite sons, a certain David Batty. And his no-nonsense approach, together with his cool head, make Adams an ideal candidate to one day captain Leeds.

Moyes, too, was certainly impressed. Watching the game from a mid-season break in Florida, he has lifted the lid on the American reaction to the performance.

Tyler Adams has David Moyes’ admiration

He said: “One trend to catch my eye is that very few teams are going for a high press. Maybe only Japan and South Korea.

“Nearly all the others have gone for a mid-block, come off the play a little to allow the opposition to pass it around at the back, and then looked to regain the ball in the middle area.

“USA did a great job on England playing this way. They left Harry Maguire and John Stones to knock passes to each other, then pressed hard when a pass came into midfield, and on the day England didn’t quite have enough to play round them.”

With 10 World Cup records here that will surely never be broken, Moyes continued: “I was in Florida when the game was played and saw the American reaction. They felt they were the better team and that Tyler Adams was the best player on the pitch.

“I agree about Adams – Tim Ream was excellent too – but actually thought England, for all that they weren’t at their best, were still the superior side.”

Adams also came in for praise from Match of the Day host Gary Lineker too.

Another exceptionally bright young footballer dealing with tough questions intelligently and gracefully. https://t.co/loavqKKIQc

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) November 28, 2022

The former England striker has been impressed by Adams’ displays on the pitch, but also in the way he has handled himself off it too.

In a press before their final World Cup game against Iran, a journalist pulled Adams up over his pronounciation of their opponents.

But rather than take the bait, Adams responded with coolness and humility.

That led Lineker to respond, saying: ‘Another exceptionally bright young footballer dealing with tough questions intelligently and gracefully.’

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