Gio Reyna is set for another chance to prove himself, with talks advancing on a move to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
The United States international was once seen as one of the great hopes for the Stars and Stripes. But his career has somewhat been derailed by a series of injuries and loss of form.
Now, he’s going to get another opportunity in Strasbourg; the French top-flight team under the BlueCo consortium, led by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly.
It’s a critical moment in Reyna’s career, so what does he need to do to maximise his chances of success?
Stay fit and adapt to French physicality
Anybody who thinks that Reyna can simply stroll into France and be a luxury playmaker is sorely mistaken. Ligue 1 is notorious for its fast pace, physicality and transition-heavy football. And anybody not up to speed can quickly find themselves swamped.
Reyna has never been a player overly reliant on pace. And he’s certainly not one you put into your team to battle. However, he must find a baseline level when it comes to duels and the distance he covers, given the frenetic, end-to-end nature of the French top flight.
This may be the player’s biggest challenge. Yes, Reyna is still only 23 and probably still a couple of years off reaching his peak athletic potential. However, his career has been plagued by muscle injuries and fitness concerns.
Just last season, Reyna — son of former Manchester City and Sunderland midfielder Claudio — missed 10 games for club and country due to muscular problems and match-fitness concerns. That has been a trend for some time now. The Sunderland-born playmaker missed 19 matches for Borussia Dortmund in 2024/25 due to a groin strain. And several muscular problems caused him to sit out another 19 games for club and country in 2022/23.
All of this takes a cumulative toll on the body. Not to mention Reyna’s confidence and trust in that body to serve him under pressure. Nevertheless, it’s a hurdle he must leap if he’s to be a success in Alsace.
Establish himself as the primary playmaker
When it comes to raw talent and ability, there are no question marks around Reyna. The 43-time United States international is a supremely gifted footballer with an eye for a pass and ice-cold composure.
That’s exactly why Mauricio Pochettino took him to the World Cup this summer, in spite of recent struggles.
Now, though, he needs to convert all of that talent into output, demand his place in new Strasbourg manager Hugo Oliveira’s starting lineup, and make himself undroppable.
The last few years have been a story of ever-decreasing influence, success and minutes for Reyna. Since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, the American has lost his place at Dortmund, endured a miserable loan spell at Nottingham Forest, and failed to make an impact at Borussia Monchengladbach. During that time, he’s scored just three league goals.
No metric illustrates Reyna’s decline better than his tumbling market value on Transfermarkt. The American has seen his value fall from €42million at the end of 2021 to just €4m now.
Reyna must demand the ball in tight spaces, dictate the tempo and translate his considerable talent into chances created, assists and goals of his own, proving he can be the protagonist at the highest level.
Embrace the dirty work
As mentioned, Ligue 1 can be a bit of a basket case. No sooner do you cut the ball back from the opposition byline than you find yourself sprinting back to try and stop a breakneck transition. What’s more, linger on the ball too long in your own half, and you will be hunted down. Teams are committed to pressing high, in numbers, and with real aggression.
Reyna must unlock this side of his game if he’s to succeed in France. There is no room for such fair-weather creators, who can quickly become a tactical liability.
There are building blocks to start with. Despite all of his toil, Reyna averaged 0.53 possessions won in the final third per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga last season. That placed him fourth among Gladbach players. Among players with at least 500 minutes, no teammate exceeded his 2.47 possessions won in the middle third per 90.
It was a similar case during his Forest loan. Reyna was second only to Brennan Johnson (1.13) in 2023/24 for possessions won in the attacking third per 90 (0.78).
This area of the game may actually provide the platform for Reyna’s success. He can ingratiate himself with the Strasbourg supporters by putting in the hard yards and providing the confidence for him to go and decide games in the final third.
Three reasons for Gio Reyna and USMNT supporters to be optimistic
- World Cup impact: As mentioned, Pochettino made the surprise decision to take Reyna to the World Cup. He was rewarded with a beautiful goal against Paraguay, while Reyna averaged 2.06 successful dribbles, 1.37 shots and 0.69 chances created per 90 as a bit-part player.
- Managerial clean slate: Hugo Oliveira has only just been hired by Strasbourg following a successful period in Portugal with Famalicao. Reyna will walk into a dressing room free of baggage, where Oliveira will be implementing a brand-new tactical identity. This offers him a chance to grasp his position in the side now, potentially removing the barrier of forcing somebody else out of the side.
- Attitude: Despite not being a starter, Reyna applied himself well at the most recent World Cup. It was in direct contrast to Qatar 2022, where off-field issues threatened to derail his tournament. And as we’ve mentioned, there is statistical evidence to prove he’s willing to work for the team out of possession and effective in doing so. This will be important not only in Ligue 1, but also at a club whose fans are desperate to retain their identity as they continue to work in the shadow of BlueCo big brother Chelsea.