Canada is another country at this World Cup who will be featuring on this stage for just a second time. 1986 was their only other time taking part and that was much closer to home, just directly south on Mexico. There is something of a golden generation present now and one player who could prove himself at this level is Canada youngster Tajon Buchanan.
Canada Youngster Tajon Buchanan Continuing to Reach New Heights
Will Buchanan be a Regular Starter for His Country?
One award that is always particularly difficult to predict is Young Player of the Tournament. Teenage sensations from the major countries have a huge struggle for minutes on their hands, and so it could easily go the way of a lesser country. Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala and Pedri are a trio of players who will play a major role for their nation, but the same can’t be said for all of them.
An opportunity presents itself for a country outside of the big few to produce a generational talent. USA, Wales and Serbia could fit that description. The same goes for John Herdman’s side, and in particular, Canada youngster Tajon Buchanan. Along with Ismael Kone, he has a bright future ahead of him.
The sort of news you want to see about Alphonso Davies on MD-4 training for the Belgium match#CanMNT https://t.co/r85Eu1HduR
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) November 19, 2022
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One problematic vice that will hold Buchanan back is the presence of a certain Alphonso Davies. Whereas in a Bayern Munich shirt he primarily operates as a full-blooded fullback, Davies is known as a winger in his home country. Lille’s Jonathan David leads the line with Davies on the left and Buchanan’s club teammate Cyle Larin on the right.
That being said, in a friendly a couple of days ago, Davies didn’t feature at all. As opposed to Herdman’s traditional three-at-the-back formation, they overcame Japan with a bog-standard 4-4-2. David and Larin were the two strikers, Buchanan and EFL legend Junior Hoilett started on the wings and lastly, the left-back was Sam Adekugbe, who plies his trade in Turkey.
One would assume Davies will be good to go for the opener against Belgium, but either way, this bodes well in terms of the potential involvement for Buchanan.
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All About Canada Youngster Tajon Buchanan
Buchanan is a name familiar to Major League Soccer fans after his explosive tenure with the New England Revolution. Brampton in Ontario, Canada is a strong breeding ground, producing Buchanan along with Larin and midfield stalwart Atiba Hutchinson. He made his way over from that City to Boston, the home of the Revs along with the Patriots (NFL) and the Celtics (NBA).
He was selected in the SuperDraft in the very early stages of Bruce Arena’s tenure as head-coach. It didn’t take long for Buchanan to endear himself to the Gillette Stadium faithful and become a fan favourite. His final contribution, before heading for Europe, was securing the first Supporters’ Shield in the club’s history.
Tajon Buchanan.
Never got called up to represent Canada, at any level, until 2021. He’s been overlooked for a long time.
Not anymore.#canMNT #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/3JBpexQUIE
— Farhan Devji (@farhandevji) November 13, 2022
Europe was next up, specifically, Belgium. They are one of a few countries, Austria being another, that regularly puts their faith in MLS talents when other leagues won’t. Club Brugge both a very impressive squad and Buchanan is certainly a part of that, as is the aforementioned Cyle Larin and New Yorker Owen Otasowie (formerly of Wolves).
Buchanan is still getting going when it comes to his club career in Europe, and he remains an unfinished product with the national team too. His speed and dribbling ability is frightening but the 23-year-old is very much a raw talent. A starting spot may not come his way this winter but if Herdman sends Buchanan on late in games to running at tiring defences, Canada can be a massive threat right up until the final whistle.
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