Sir Landon Of Donovan

[thebes20]

I do not know whether he is able to stay, because of his contract, BUT, I know if Everton wants him, that he will come back. I have watched LD since he was a bleached blonde, watched his interviews, and yes, read the Beckham book.

He comes off as thoughtful, intelligent and a team player. He makes a lot of money from endorsements, and stands to make more in the near future. I do not think that money is his end goal, or what really motivates him. I do not see him going to the highest bidder like some players who's ego dictates that they follow the $'s. I think that he has found in Everton, what he has been looking for, a home in the EPL, the best league, and a club that appears to want him.

If I were LD, I would rather be a part of a team that has great potential and can beat the best, and maybe struggles sometimes. I think a player comes away with much more, than being a paid to play for the top team. There is heart here and soul. I think that Everton fits LD to a T, and I also think that he has taken notice that almost all of his fans in the US do not want to see him suit up for the MLS again. It is really worse than that, soccer web site after web site, the posters are saying that they are actually depressed that he might not stay. No player wants his fan base to hate him for being a traitor and leaving his team, but in LD's case the reverse is working. The concensus is that maybe only the Galaxy highups want him back. The MLS will soldier on in their middling state with or without him.

I love seeing him play, and if he goes it will be harder, but seeing Everton mentioned on Sports talk today, (even WO a mention of LD), means to me that we will be seeing a lot more of Everton here in the states. You all have no clue how little soccer is menitoned on top sports stations. The fact the Everton is on is truely amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

To finish, I will say that while LD has like 3 games left, I will continue to follow the Blues. I have gotten to know you, through your posts, and your fans, how much the team means to you all. I used to tune into whatever EPL games were broadcast and just watched the Arsenal, or MU to see good soccer. I will now forego them and hopefully watch and cheer on Everton. You have a very good team and your fans are a class act. Class on one hand because they did not just discount LD as another [Poor language removed] American player, you gave him a chance, and class on the other because of the way you handle your loses and wins, AND what you give to your team, your soul. I will be back, and I hope LD will be as well.

 

[djtom]

I do not know whether he is able to stay, because of his contract, BUT, I know if Everton wants him, that he will come back. I have watched LD since he was a bleached blonde, watched his interviews, and yes, read the Beckham book.
He comes off as thoughtful, intelligent and a team player. He makes a lot of money from endorsements, and stands to make more in the near future. I do not think that money is his end goal. I do not see him going to the highest bidder like some players who's ego dictates that they follow the $'s. I think that he has found in Everton, what he has been looking for, a home in the EPL, the best league, and a club that appears to want him.
If I were LD, I would rather be a part of a team that has great potential and can beat the best, and maybe struggles sometimes. I think a player comes away with more. I think that Everton fits LD to a T, and I also think that he has taken notice that almost all of his fans in the US do not want to see him suit up for the MLS again.
I love seeing him play, and if he goes it will be harder, but seeing Everton mentioned on Sports talk, (even WO a mention of LD), means to me that we will be seeing a lot more of Everton here in the states.
To finish, I will say that while LD has like 3 games left, I will continue to follow the Blues. I have gotten to know, through posts your fans and how much the team means to you all. I used to tune into whatever EPL games were broadcast and just watched the Arsenal, or MU to see good soccer. I will now forego them and hopefully watch and cheer on Everton. You have a very good team and are a class act.

You made my point. Buying Donovan will pay for itself from a financial standpoint. They will gain a huge following in the states.

 

[bluemeanie]

Apart from a poor showing against the Sh**e, he's been fantastic. I think Donovan would go back to MLS with a heavy heart. Everton need pull out the stops and do all they can to keep this player (and sure enough he'll turn up at another PL team if we don't).

 

[djtom]

Donovan was more than a match for Ashley Cole. Do we really need further evidence that he's capable of making a difference for whatever EPL team he happens to play for? I'm sure Moyes will work to keep him (regardless of his throw-away statements to the media). All that stands in the way is his new contract (which surely can be overcome for a price).

As for those who suggest MLS is the bottom of the sport's barrel, I think they're not being reasonable. Yes, it's true that MLS does not compare well with the top teams in EPL, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga. But I think MLS matches up well against much of Europe. For example, please don't tell me that the game being played in Scotland is a great deal better.

Sad that Cole got hurt on a challenge. I know Donovan and it wasn't intentional. He is not a dirty player. Hopefully he will be back in time for the WC.

 

[BiggyRat]

He's the best US player.

I think Tim Howard might have an opinion on that...

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

South Africa fecks all of this up and the only away around it would be if Landon demanded a transfer, which I really don't see happening as he wouldn't want to attract negative attention like that before the WC.

To be fair to him, he means more to MLS than Beckham does. The question the league has to ask itself is, is he worth even more to the game's future as a whole, in the States, if he goes on to be successful in England.

I think they know the answer...

 

[pfim]

I think it's 50-50 he stays...the best thing he can do is to continue to play the way he did against Chelsea and force someone's hand...

The Beckham/Donovan comparison is overplayed...they're at different stages of their careers, have different goals and concerns...Most of what Donovan said was quoted in October 08, well before Beckham extended his loan with Milan.

I'm also sure that Everton, MLS and AEG (owner of the Galaxy) could work out something beyond compensation to satisfy all parties as well.

 

[RAFUH]

OK-- so here is my win - win - win scenario:

Everton and Galaxy agree that LD will:

A/Extend the loan through the end of the season

B/Play in the World Cup

C/Return to the Galaxy for their season through the summer and fall--a valedictory tour for the MLS

D/Return to Everton at the end of the year for good


There--that's the scenario. You heard it here first.

Now you guys sort out the money!

I just don't think the loan will be extended. I think it's more likely that he leaves in March to start the MLS season and then maybe bought during the summer after WC. By then Beckham will be back in LA so galaxy/mls get to have one of their 2 stars for the whole season.

 

[BlueMedley]

To be fair to him, he means more to MLS than Beckham does. The question the league has to ask itself is, is he worth even more to the game's future as a whole, in the States, if he goes on to be successful in England.

I think they know the answer...

This.

In order for american soccer to get better, its best players need to be in Europe. that doesn't mean there's no place for MLS, but if your not playing in Europe i don't want you in my National Team's starting 11.

Hopefully, he'll be back in the summer.

 

[ShinHatchet]

Sad that Cole got hurt on a challenge. I know Donovan and it wasn't intentional. He is not a dirty player. Hopefully he will be back in time for the WC.

My guess is Donovan feels awful about it.

Physical play is great. Playing to injure - not Donovan's style, I'm sure.

 

[ShinHatchet]

This.

In order for american soccer to get better, its best players need to be in Europe. that doesn't mean there's no place for MLS, but if your not playing in Europe i don't want you in my National Team's starting 11.

Hopefully, he'll be back in the summer.

Where in Europe? Sure, playing in England, Spain, Italy and Germany is great. But Greece? Scotland? If those are your only options, you might as well play in the US.

 

[pfim]

Where in Europe? Sure, playing in England, Spain, Italy and Germany is great. But Greece? Scotland? If those are your only options, you might as well play in the US.

Well, the money is usually better in those places.

 

[TX Bill]

If Donovan wants to stay and Everton come up with the funds, he'll stay.

No chance MLS stands in the way of him coming over to England. None at all.

I think it would be a safe assumption that Landon wants to stay so now the only issue is Everton comng up with the funds. And Moyes has money to spend every transfer window.

Chew on that for a bit.

 

[BlueMedley]

Where in Europe? Sure, playing in England, Spain, Italy and Germany is great. But Greece? Scotland? If those are your only options, you might as well play in the US.

that depends on the club, and the player in question. you mention Greece so I imagine your thinking of Freddy Adu. A stint in MLS would probably do well for his career, but he seems to be settling in at Aris so who knows. More european based players are in our national team then ever before, that tells me all i need to know.

 

[stinger]

It was a great goal against Brazil but their not great at the back to be fair these days, as recent form suggests, with a defensive stratagey based on the princiaple if you score two we will score three. Secondly i know people have watched him for a long time and he has been the star of the show in certain context. His star status is based in the main against teams from the MLS and internationals against the likes of Cuba, Honduras, Panama etc. Its important we assess Landon in a realistic context before we throw around terms like World Class. He is proving to be a good Prem player with ability, what he needs to develop now is consistencey and an ability to effect a game more frequently.

Like i say hes a good player 1 goal and two assists prove he is a usefull player - not what i think we need - in a player who can counter (like Landon ) but its not all about pace as im sure everyone here knows.

Frankly i want a winger who cobines pace, inciceveness, can beat a man, go to the by line, deliver and come inside if needs be. Nzogbia is one player who pocesses these attributes i can think of a few. He does offer balance an outlet, pace and has a good deleviery i wouldnt mind him in the squad but llike i say if it was a choice i would go for someone else.

Think the MLS will want top dollar to.

You are one of the top posters here... but your recent post in this topic won't count as a proof when you will be inducted into GOT Hall of Fame

Brasil these days is a total opposite of what you have written here - teamwork, hard working, combining flair with counter attacking using Kaka, Robinho and a striker (or two), with 2-0 being most preferred result for Dunga's boys these days, with first goal quite aften being scored off set piece, and adding second with a killer counter attack. It's the best Brasil NT defensively since USA World Cup in 1994.

I am as big N'Zogbia fan as you can find here... but we all shouldn't forget that we will be judging Donovan based on very small sample of games, shadows of Jagielka, Pienaar or Fellaini should tell us that sometimes players needs more time and they have a tendency to actually get and fit better into specific system...