Sir Landon Of Donovan

[StDomingosGringo]

Great to see the world's reaction. All the way from New York to another part of New York, the whole world coming together right there... brings a tear to my eye.

 

[dabes2]

Boss little watch that, nice link.

Those kids seemed very cute, but I just wish I spoke whatever language they were speaking. Seriously cool for us Americans to see the love Landon gets from the born and raised Everton faithful.

Surprisingly little chatter in the USA about Landon's club plans. I would think his play would get the rumors flowing, but apparently people just want to watch the tournament.

 

[Phil Neville Superstar]

Sign him up Moysie! What ever it takes! I fcuking love him!!

 

[Wratho]

The better he does , the more his value rises. If the US win 1-2 more and he scores a few more goals does that price him out of Everton? I think he will only move to Everton if he goes to the EPL. The question is how much will the MLS ask for him, if the buyout is not a set amount in his contract?

 

[Chicago76]

The better he does , the more his value rises. If the US win 1-2 more and he scores a few more goals does that price him out of Everton? I think he will only move to Everton if he goes to the EPL. The question is how much will the MLS ask for him, if the buyout is not a set amount in his contract?

Just here because I was curious if you guys were still chatting about him. To answer your question, yes there is a buyout, and that figure is rumored to be between $10 million and $15 million. The price is pretty rich for a player of his age and caliber because he is so financially important to MLS as its main gate draw. Donovan is stuck in a place where the price is probably too high for a good English club that could use him while rich clubs could afford him as insurance, but he doesn't want to be stuck on the end of someone's bench. If something could be worked out with MLS, I'm not sure that a move would make sense to him financially either. He makes a good wage in MLS--not what he would be getting over there, but close. A lot of his personal income comes from Nike as the poster boy for American soccer, so they would probably rather he be seen in the States in MLS where he can sell to an American audience rather than being just another good player in a top league. I'm not sure if a tranfer abroad would jeapordize his marketing income with Nike, but I couldn't blame them for reducing his endorsement income if he did move over there. He's a pretty level-headed guy, so he strikes me as the type that probably realizes he has enough money in the bank. Forfeiting some cash to take his shot over there when he's still at a productive age seems to appeal to him.

As an American fan, I understand the MLS position, but if there is any American player who has earned the right to leave while under contract for a reasonable price, it is Landon. The guy has been a great spokesman and player for the game here for a long time. There have been rumors of a possible reconciliation with his wife over the last 48 hours here. That could put a damper on the move as she is a West Coast-based television actress.

I'd like to see him in an Everton shirt this fall. It's rare that a guy making this kind of jump feels so at home immediately.

 

[Wratho]

That is $10 - $15 million USD not pounds....

 

[pettyfog]

I'm going to come on here every once in a while and propose that you should NOT look only at market value in regard to LD.

Remember Brian McBride? He served his club and country well. He got a new contract. Under the old one Moyes had offered about $3M and was turned down. Under the new, Portsmouth made an offer for half that, and was accepted. But Fulham made another, not especially BETTER one, and that's where McBride went. Because Mrs McBride preferred London and Brian probably did too. Had nothing to do with his value as a player.. MLS wants their players happy ESPECIALLY if they've contributed to the profile of MLS and US Soccer.

No matter what anyone THINKS his market value is, the bottom line - especially if he continues to do well for US AND ESPECIALLY if Galaxy win MLS Cup this season - then Landon will transfer to wherever he wants to go. At whatever price it takes for him to do that.

Remember... it's NOT just playing in MLS that a player helps MLS profile... Dempsey's Fulham transfer after McBride's success did that too.
MLS knows who they are and their place in the football world and you can see that by just visiting the site.

What that means in practical terms is that they will give Landon what he wants WITHIN promotional limits.. in essence, HE must command the highest transfer fee to date. Meaning I believe a fair amount higher than $4M than they got for Dempsey.

So, I'm submitting to you that if Everton offer somewhere around $7-10M US in January, there's a very good chance Landon will be in Blue. And.. I'm pretty sure that the ONLY league he'll play in is the Prem, no matter WHAT the offer. Certainly he wont want to try BL again.

High profile MLS players play where they want to play, regardless of the 'system'.. why McBride returned to Chicago where his home is. No other club had a chance of landing him, not even the Crew. No matter what they offered.

 

[SoCalMike]

I think people are starting to talk about it becoming inevitable that he's going to go to Europe after the WC. He's gotten a lot of attention. I only HOPE that Moyes can be the one to lure him, there is no doubt that Landon would love to return to Everton if he does go to Europe.

Honestly, it would be tough though for Landy to leave, he quite literally is the face of American soccer, after this WC he is probably the heart and soul also. His value is more than simply for his play to the MLS, no offense to Becks who has only played 30-some games for the Galaxy in 4+ years, but it's Landon that is the MLS' biggest star by far. Being that he's a 'local boy' for the L.A. Galaxy, the league's marquee team, it really would be a tough blow to the MLS if he left.

It would be great though to see Landon spend a few years helping Everton win some cups

 

[Matt Damon]

Its all interesting. But its very very very unlikely we'd offer £7.5 million for a 29 year old.

I can see him coming back on loan, but we won't be splashing that out on him.

 

[pettyfog]

Being that he's a 'local boy' for the L.A. Galaxy, the league's marquee team, it really would be a tough blow to the MLS if he left.

Thanks for rebutting exactly everything I wrote, purely on your fanboy logic

No
it
wont
be a 'blow' to either the club OR the League.
Galaxy fans are usually much smarter than this, guys.

There's a certain affinity between Crew and Gals supporters. Dont guess we two will be among em.

Its all interesting. But its very very very unlikely we'd offer £7.5 million for a 29 year old.

Is that what it reads on your screen? Aint what I typed. And NOTE I said 'whatever it takes'... Which overrides any figure you want.

I guessed I was too wordy ....the dyslexic and ADD afflicted cant be bothered to actually READ it.

 

[Matt Damon]

Thanks for rebutting exactly everything I wrote, purely on your fanboy logic

No
it
wont
be a 'blow' to either the club OR the League.
Galaxy fans are usually much smarter than this, guys.

There's a certain affinity between Crew and Gals supporters. Dont guess we two will be among em.



Is that what it reads on your screen? Aint what I typed. And NOTE I said 'whatever it takes'... Which overrides any figure you want.

I guessed I was too wordy ....the dyslexic and ADD afflicted cant be bothered to actually READ it.

I agree it won't be a blow. The MLS should be seeking DEPTH of talent... development.

And having the poster boy from the MLS getting international attention is only a good thing.

Infact - we should really have an MLS sticky on here.

I'm for one seeing how Everton's strategic interests in football development are so closely tied up with the US............. both fans and players


So I for one appreciate our American cousins keeping us informed of whats going on over there.

 

[jdeezy]

I'm lost here. Go Landon. Go Slovacs.

 

[Matt Damon]

Is that what it reads on your screen? Aint what I typed. And NOTE I said 'whatever it takes'... Which overrides any figure you want.

I guessed I was too wordy ....the dyslexic and ADD afflicted cant be bothered to actually READ it.

NO need to get snotty.

I'm telling you that Everton (and no other English club ) will be spending £7.5million on Donovan.

Everton certainly won't.

So, I'm submitting to you that if Everton offer somewhere around $7-10M US in January, there's a very good chance Landon will be in Blue

Obviously I misread that didn't I? :huh: I can read very well infact.

It won't happen. That or £4.5million for the lower figure.

Theres going to be a crunch in Football club finances, at the very least spending's going to be curtailed in most football clubs.

For 29 year old.... na. Maybe £2million / $4.5million and it may be worthwhile.

Another loans more likely.

The Premier League is implementing new rules on homegrown players next season which should also be considered. Especially for clubs with external backers too who may have money floating around to buy a 29 year old.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

I can't see us being able to afford him unless we sell someone.

I think England is the perfect League for him really, I couldn't see him doing well in a league like Spain. Maybe as a striker, but not in his favoured wing positions.

 

[pettyfog]

...
Infact - we should really have an MLS sticky on here.

I'm for one seeing how Everton's strategic interests in football development are so closely tied up with the US............. both fans and players


So I for one appreciate our American cousins keeping us informed of whats going on over there.

Then we're agreed.

Take note I'm only interested in Everton because I dont like LFC fans {see Friedel} and because of Moyes {see McBride} Was following Everton long before LD.

Well, actually you pretty much DO have an MLS sticky... way more yanks than NSNO.. and generally treat us better, too