Things are just not looking that bright for Lennard Maloney. The USMNT defender had been left behind by Heidenheim head coach Frank Schmidt for Sunday’s very important Bundesliga match against Bochum. And no, it is not an injury keeping Maloney from the pitch; it is an even more serious problem: Schmidt actually thinks that Maloney’s mind is not on the game.

Yep, you got it! Schmidt has gone as far as to tell the press on Friday that Maloney is simply too distracted by thoughts on his future with Heidenheim to be on the pitch to play. “He’s fit, and he’s been doing training. But I made the decision not to include him because he’s not fully focused right now,” Schmidt said, pulling no punches. “I want my vice-captain to be locked in and deliver 100% when he’s out there. Lately, that hasn’t been happening.”

Such irony; Maloney’s contract with Heidenheim expires at the end of the season, and he hasn’t been linked with a move away without reason. With his future still somewhat open, it’s perhaps understandable that the 25-year-old would have a few things going through his head. Still, Schmidt wasn’t about to cut him any slack, saying, “Everyone has the right to decide whether to extend or not, but in the bigger picture, this winter will be key.” And honestly? It might not be the worst idea for Maloney to dip out early and make a bold career move.

Stay or Bounce? Maloney’s crossroads in Europe

Now, this is where things get interesting. While Maloney’s situation at Heidenheim seems shaky, it could actually be the perfect opportunity for him to make a splash elsewhere. Imagine this: Maloney heads to a bigger club, gets some solid minutes under his belt, and puts himself on Mauricio Pochettino’s radar. Sounds like a dream scenario, right?

With the USMNT always keeping tabs on their players abroad, Maloney must stay in top form, both mentally and physically. If he wants to keep his international prospects alive and maybe even snag a spot in future high-profile tournaments, he’s got to show up and show out—consistently. And let’s be real—players go through slumps all the time. It’s all part of the game. What separates the good from the great is how they bounce back. If Maloney can tune out the noise, put in the work, and find a club where he feels valued, he could turn this whole situation around in no time.

For now, though, Heidenheim’s focus is on Sunday’s game against Bochum, where they’ll be fighting to climb out of the relegation zone. Whether Maloney stays put or jumps ship remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the dude’s got talent, and with the right mindset, he could still become a key figure in European soccer. So, what’s it gonna be, Maloney? Time to prove the doubters wrong and make that big move. Eyes up, grind on and don’t let the chatter throw you off your game.