Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 8y

John Brooks like a 'young Per Mertesacker' - Jurgen Klinsmann

United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has told Bild that John Brooks is like a young Per Mertesacker, adding that he's proud of Bobby Wood's move to Bundesliga club Hamburg.

Brooks, 23, had a standout season for Hertha Berlin until injury problems in late March dampened the overall impression of his and his club's season.

But despite a difficult run-in, the capital club finished the Bundesliga season in seventh, and they are set to play the Europa League qualifiers in late July.

It is yet unclear whether Brooks will be part of the first round of a possible two rounds of qualifiers, as the U.S. defender has been named in the Copa America squad and will be granted a three-week holiday following the end of the tournament.

In an interview with German tabloid Bild, Klinsmann has praised the Berlin-born player and likened him to Arsenal's Mertesacker, whom he promoted to the Germany national team as a 20-year-old in October 2004.

"We are very satisfied with his development," Klinsmann said. "He's got enormous potential, but he has to become more consistent and robust. I like to compare him to the young Per Mertesacker. John's only 23 and he plays on a position where you'd usually need a lot of experience. He's currently taking his next career step and we will support him."

Last week, Hertha coach Pal Dardai called Brooks' participation in the Copa "a bit unfortunate," but added he hoped he will return "in a top state."

Klinsmann said: "We treat our players responsibly and also want a good relationship with the clubs. Maybe he'll be a bit tired in the first days after the start of preseason, but Hertha will absolutely profit from John playing that big tournament.

"The Copa is at the same level as the European Championship."

Brooks is one of five Bundesliga players in the U.S. Copa squad. Frankfurt's Timothy Chandler, Fabian Johnson of Borussia Monchengladbach as well as promising Dortmund youngster Christian Pulisic have made the cut, with forward Wood the fifth after his switch from 2.Bundesliga club Union Berlin to Hamburg.

"We are very proud that he's tackling the big leap to Hamburger SV now. He really has earned it," Klinsmann said of Woods.

"He's ambitious, he's eager to learn. And he's got one incredibly important ability: He knows where the goal is. That means he's at the right place very often, has a good instinct and has taken an enormous development both physically and mentally at Union."

"I am convinced that he will succeed in making the next step which is tied to the move to the Bundesliga."

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