Rising American star Josh Sargent needs to be given time to fulfil his obvious potential, according to Werder Bremen academy director Bjorn Schierenbeck.

Sargent made a dream start to life in the Bundesliga, following up a debut goal in the 3-1 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf earlier this month with another against RB Leipzig in Bremen’s final game of 2018.

The 18-year-old is already a senior international for his country, and many will expect him to get more opportunities to shine at club level following the Bundesliga’s winter break. A former Bremen player, Schierenbeck expects Sargent to improve further – but only over time.

“Josh is a huge talent, and we’re all very happy about his debut and his goal in the Bundesliga,” Schierenbeck told German daily newspaper Bild.

“But we’re also aware that he still needs time and patience.”

Schierenbeck has been closely involved in Sargent’s rapid development since the American signed professional terms for Bremen on his 18th birthday in February.

Having scored during his first game for the USA in a 3-0 win over Bolivia in May, Sargent repeated the trick just 86 seconds after coming on for his Bundesliga debut in December. The Missouri native nodded home the insurance goal with his first touch in Bremen’s win over Düsseldorf.

On Matchday 17 Sargent needed only 11 minutes to tuck home an equaliser against Leipzig, but his side ultimately lost that match 3-2 to lie 10th in the standings at the midway point of the campaign.

Prior to his top-flight breakthrough, the teenager had scored seven goals in 12 appearances for the Green-Whites’ U23 side.

Bremen will prepare for the second half of the season with a tour of South Africa, where they will play two friendlies against local sides Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits early next month. Their Bundesliga campaign will resume with a trip to Hannover on 19 January.

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