Back in action from a lengthy injury since October, Tyler Adams has been shaking off the rust and sliding right back into the Premier League groove. Reflecting on his journey, Adams confidently shared, “Obviously, I missed a lot of time, but I know what I’m capable of. I’m confident in my ability.” The Bournemouth midfielder is determined as he balances his club comeback while setting his sights on earning his first USMNT call-up under Mauricio Pochettino.

Now with six consecutive Premier League appearances, including four straight starts. Yet, the journey hasn’t been without bumps. His unexpected absence from the squad for Bournemouth’s clash against Ipswich Town raised eyebrows, leaving fans and pundits speculating. It is clear that the 25-year-old has fought to get back into the Bournemouth plans after missing most of the first half of the season due to a back injury.

After Bournemouth’s thrilling win over Spurs last week, Tyler Adams opened up about his progress since returning from injury. Reflecting on his second full 90-minute appearance in a short span, he candidly admitted, “I am never pleased with myself. I can always do more, continue to evolve, continue to develop.” For Adams, getting regular game time is key. “Whenever I get a run of games, I know that I’m going to be an important player for this team. The guys around me have helped me a lot to settle back in, but I am confident in my ability,” he expressed with determination.

When asked about his future, Adams was bold yet optimistic. “I haven’t reached the top of my ability yet,” he highlighted. “I’m still young and need to continue to develop. This is not my ceiling. I want to push my limits and offer more, both here and with the national team under the new coach.”

Meanwhile, riding high after three consecutive wins, the Cherries now sit eighth in the league table. Conor Chaplin’s first-half goal had Ipswich poised for their first home Premier League win since 2002, but Bournemouth had other plans. Substitutes Enes Unal and Dango Ouattara turned the game upside down. Unal equalized in the 87th minute, and in stoppage time, Ouattara sealed the win, leaving Ipswich stunned.

How Tyler Adams could become the star of Pochettino’s USMNT midfield era

After undergoing back surgery following the USMNT’s disappointing exit from Copa América 2024, Tyler Adams faced a long road to recovery. His rehabilitation kept him sidelined for the first few months of the 2024–25 season, meaning he missed Mauricio Pochettino’s first two training camps in October & November.

Pochettino’s initial camps weren’t just missing Adams. Stars like Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and Folarin Balogun were also unavailable, leaving the Argentine coach without several key players. Despite this, Pochettino is optimistic about Adams’ potential impact on the team, calling him “a very important player for the future of this team.” Yet, the coach has made it clear that Adams needs to show progress before earning his place back in the squad.

The road back won’t be easy, the door to his USMNT future remains wide open but for Adams, the message is straightforward. If he can stay fit and regain his form, the opportunity to play under Pochettino will come knocking.