Scally: Premier League "my dream" - Not happy about playing time at the World Cup

Despite rumors indicating otherwise, Joe Scally signed a new long-term contract with Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach this April that will run until 2027. “I think for me, the biggest thing was to be playing regularly,” Scally said to a group of international journalists as part of a media round table. “I’m still only 20 years old, and the main thing is to get games. I am playing in the Bundesliga, and that is one of the top leagues overall, together with the Premier League and LaLiga.”

With the new contract set to run until 2027, does that mean Scally does not harbor hopes of playing in the Premier League one day? “I would never say I don’t want to play in the Premier League,” Scally said. “Because this is something I’ve told everyone that it is a dream of mine to play there one day.” 

But before fulfilling his dream of Premier League football, Scally wants to fully establish himself as a full-time star in the Bundesliga. “I am just going to keep trying to repay them,” Scally said when asked about the trust put in him with the new contract by head coach Daniel Farke and sporting director Roland Virkus. “I became a consistent starter this year, and I just want to keep playing and getting games.” Scally also managed to increase his market value to €12 million, firmly establishing himself among the top 10 most valuable US men's national team eligible players.  

Joe Scally: After World Cup disappointment – 2026 is circled on the calendar 

Scally has certainly been a consistent player for Gladbach. The 20-year-old has started 24 out of 30 games and has come off the bench on two more occasions for the Foals this season in the Bundesliga. But despite the consistent playing time in the Bundesliga, Scally did not get playing time for the US men’s national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup last November. 

“That definitely impacted me mentally,” Scally said when asked about not receiving playing time under former US head coach Gregg Berhalter. “I played regularly in the Bundesliga, and then I didn’t even get one minute at the World Cup; I didn’t quite understand it.” But rather than dwelling on the World Cup disappointment Scally already has his focus on 2026. “I have that circled in my calendar,” Scally said. “There is no better feeling than walking out to the national anthem and doing it in front of family and friends at what will be the biggest World Cup yet; yeah, I am very excited about it.” 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be, of course, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As a result, Gladbach will be happy to have Scally under contract until 2027, guaranteeing US eyeballs in the buildup to the World Cup. But this arrangement goes both ways; after all, a strong World Cup performance could open the doors for Scally’s dream move to the Premier League.