New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream believes Juan Agudelo can become a world-class player if he continues to work hard at club level.
Ream and Agudelo broke into the USA national team at the same time and Ream says he saw a change in attitude in the talented forward when he was at US training.
But Ream said he spoke to the 18-year old and told him that if he really wanted to improve, he would have to bring that intensity to club training, which he feels he has now done.
"He's working hard every training session. Before he was a little discouraged not playing as much as he'd like,'' Ream told the NY Post.
"Going in with the national team, I've noticed that he definitely trains hard there. A couple guys, including myself, had a conversation to let him know you've got to train just as hard here and you're going to get your chances. He's definitely growing and maturing as player.
"He's still only 18, which is scary. It's crazy.''
And Ream said that it was former Red Bulls young gun Jozy Altidore, now starring with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, who alerted him about Agudelo needing to bring his national team game back to New York.
"Just this last trip to L.A. for the Costa Rica game and the Belgium game, I talked to Jozy,'' added Ream.
"He was like "You've got to get him to train like that every day.' I said "He's going to listen better (to) it coming from you. I'm always in his ear; he's starting to tune me out.'
"It's kind of ironic, that it's coming from another young guy who started here and kind of knows what it takes, and now you see Jozy doing well. Hopefully Juan's taken the advice and is doing well.''
