Despite a difficult period that included injury and a failed move to Fulham, Ricardo Pepi remains PSV’s striker and is determined to emerge stronger from the setbacks he endured.

Ricardo Pepi’s recent journey has been anything but straightforward. The American striker appeared set to leave PSV for Fulham in March, only for the transfer to collapse after he underwent a medical examination with the Premier League club.

That disappointment came after an injury-hit period in Eindhoven had already disrupted Pepi’s season. The forward was not always available to Peter Bosz, while Guus Til was preferred in the striker role for much of the campaign.

Pepi also represented the United States at the World Cup on home soil last summer, although his opportunities were largely limited to appearances from the bench. He subsequently returned to PSV, where his future remained uncertain before the proposed Fulham move ultimately fell through.

Speaking to NOS, as relayed by PSV Inside, Pepi reflected on the difficult period and revealed how he tried to maintain perspective through the setbacks.

“I was trying to find some footing in my faith and keep telling myself that you don’t have influence over everything,” Pepi said, looking back on the period after the turn of the year.

Pepi had suffered a serious injury after scoring to put PSV 2-0 ahead against Excelsior in the previous season. His recovery was followed by another setback when his proposed move to Fulham failed to materialise.

The transfer had appeared to be progressing towards completion, with Pepi undergoing a medical examination at Fulham in March. Instead, the American remained in Eindhoven.

For the striker, the failed move was particularly difficult because of the circumstances surrounding it and the impact it had on those closest to him.

“That was not an easy period. Not only for me, but also for my family. They have been there for me my whole life and everyone was disappointed,” Pepi admitted.

The 23-year-old, however, has chosen not to dwell on what happened. Rather than allowing the failed transfer to become another setback, he has attempted to turn the experience into motivation.

“Everything, however, happens for a reason. In the end, I used that as fuel to come out even stronger,” the striker said.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future earlier in the year, Pepi remains PSV’s striker as the new campaign progresses.

His path back into the starting XI has not been straightforward, with competition for places and his previous injury problems limiting his opportunities. Yet the American continues to focus on what he can control rather than the circumstances that have already passed.

The failed Fulham transfer is now another chapter in a turbulent period for Pepi, who has had to deal with injury, limited playing time and uncertainty over his future.

For now, however, his immediate focus remains PSV. The American has another opportunity to establish himself as Bosz’s leading striker and demonstrate that the setbacks of the previous season can ultimately become part of a stronger comeback.