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Sir Landon Of Donovan

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thebes20 said:
Agree 99% Man City is not in the cards at all. Donovan is a loyal guy and Everton is where he will go. MLS is trying to bring in older big name foreign players, to attract fans. The writing is on the wall. Donovan will go to the EPL, and Everton is his home after LA. Would you stay in the MLS if you were Donovan when they are bringing over washed up french players that underperformed in the WC and the run up to the games, when you still had game and a good WC? Think about it.
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If/when Piennar ****s off, this is where we spend the money
 

Landon Donovan last night hailed young Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell as England’s next superstar.

USA star Donovan played alongside Rodwell, 19, at Goodison Park last season and insists the youngster can rejuvenate Fabio Capello’s side after their disastrous World Cup in South Africa.

Donovan believes Capello must blood Rodwell and other England starlets in the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers.

The American insists Rodwell is a future world-beater like former Toffee Wayne Rooney.

And he reckons Hot Rod could do for club and country what Rooney and David Beckham achieved for Manchester United and England.

Donovan said: “I think, along with Wayne Rooney, Jack really is the future of England.

“Following England’s World Cup campaign, I know the coach is being urged to bring through young blood."

"I really believe Jack could rejuvenate this England team."

"I don’t give out false praise but this young guy really is a future world-beater."

"I am sure he can make the same impact for club and country that Wayne and David have – that’s really how good he is."

"I have obviously trained and played with him at Everton and he is just a natural football player."

“Like Wayne it’s effortless to him.”

Donovan has been strongly linked with Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City revolution this week.

The American – who plays alongside Beckham for LA Galaxy – was impressive in last season’s loan spell with Everton.

He scored two goals in ten appearances, adding an extra creative element to a Toffees squad crippled by injuries.

But, in what is sure to be good news for Everton fans, Donovan insists Rodwell won’t go the way of Rooney by leaving his hometown club for a bigger challenge – in the short-term at least.

Donovan said: “He is a down-to-earth guy who genuinely loves his club.

“I was so pleased to hear he had signed a five-year contract and I think he is the sort of guy who will honour it unless Everton receive an offer they deem so good they can’t turn it down.”

But Donovan is sure that an old hand like Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will have noticed Rodwell’s potential.

He said: “Long-term I am sure Sir Alex has an eye on him and, not only could he be a future Manchester United player, he could be their future Wayne Rooney. That’s how highly I rate him.”

Like Moyes, Donovan also believes Rodwell will prosper if he is brought further into the middle this season.

The American also reckons Rodwell has the quality to fire Everton into the Champions League qualifying spots. He said: “I think it’s great that David Moyes plans to play him more centrally this season.

“I expect a lot of goals from him. I think he will be one of the players of the season.

“If he hits form I really think it’s impossible to rule Everton out of a top-four finish.”
But it is with his country that Donovan is convinced Rodwell can make a real difference – especially after England’s dreadful World Cup.

Donovan – who played against England for the USA in South Africa – said: “Of course *England start their European Championship campaign and, if I were Capello, I would throw Jack in at the deep end and start him.

“Like Wayne, he has no fear and I feel he is already ready to play at the highest level.

“He is the most exciting young player in the Premier League and, with Alexandre Pato at AC Milan and Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero, one of the most exciting in Europe.

“He can be a huge player for both club and country.”
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Nice words Landon :)
 
Different than what Don Garber originally said (below). Me thinks LA Galaxy and Landon (and potentially Landon's agent) had a few words with Mr. Garber. It's interesting, his tune has changed slightly. Not only that, I just finished reading the article (and am editing my post), and his last statement almost sounds like a PLEA. It's at the very end of the article.

From an article in the Houston Chronicle - that I can't post a link to since it's only my third post...

Q: What does Landon Donovan mean to the league and represent for soccer in the U.S.?
A: Really a great American soccer hero. I think he represents what’s great about this sport in this country. He grew up in California. He’s bilingual. He’s played and been one of the great stars of our national team. He’s certainly helped elevate the position and reputation of Major League Soccer for so many years. I think this past month at the World Cup he transcended our sport and became a guy that really has broken through to the general sports market. Boy, there are very few people in this country who love sports who don’t know about Landon Donovan and don’t know the great development of the sport and the recent success of the sport. Landon has had a lot to do where the sport is today. Not just the sport, but where Major League Soccer is today.

Q: How important has he been to MLS?
A: I believe that Landon is a very, very important member of our league and a guy that is going to help continue to grow the sport in this country. We made a big commitment to Landon last year by extending his contract and making a major financial commitment to him. It’s my hope that Landon stays with us for the rest of his career. Now at the end of the day, the decision as to whether or not Landon stays with the league or leaves the league is between the L.A. Galaxy and Landon Donovan. But from my perspective as commissioner, I very much hope that he can continue the job that he started and help us grow the interest and popularity of Major League Soccer at a time when I believe we have some real momentum. The second part of that, as the league commissioner, I don’t subscribe to the fact that it’s good to our league to have our best players leave. I understand that that’s what happens in other leagues. But no one can convince me that it’s better for Major League Soccer to have a guy like Landon play in England as opposed to playing in front of his fans in this country and serving as a real focal point for young kids to really aspire to dream to one day be him and wear an MLS jersey. That’s certainly in the best interest of the league. But at the end of the day, that’s a decision that will be made, if it ever comes to that point, by Landon and his team, the L.A. Galaxy. It’s not a league decision. It’s a player and team decision.

Compare to the original quote: MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league has no intention of accepting transfer offers for the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder.

And finally, the end:
Q: Is there a subject that you’d like to touch more on before we finish?
A: Yes, Landon Donovan. Landon in my view is one of the best American soccer players of our generation. He’s just such an important part of our league’s history and he’s also an important part of our future. I can’t thank him enough for the contributions that he’s made in the past, and it’s my hope and my expectation that we can continue to count on him to help grow this sport in this country and to help build Major League Soccer into a truly great professional soccer league.
 
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Posted this link in another thread but the thread was about Beckford so thought I'd repost here. Kind of just backs what Kay20 said

the90thminute.com/soccer/2010/07/mls-commissioner-don-garber-softens-stancd-on-possible-landon-donovan-transfer/#more-13644


Is it true? Pools panel predicts: Probably not...
 

NHRevs said:
Not good news, but not surprising either:

Summarizing: "If you want to ridiculously overpay us for our marquee player, we'll seriously consider your offer." Can hardly fault them for that. Dammit.
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Thanks for linking! I wonder what Payne considers "silly" money? What's the bottom of that band?

“We have gotten a lot of calls,” Payne said. “Everton really wanted Landon back. We are confident that we are hanging on to him. We want to win championships. …

Sigh. Wonder if the bolded line is referring to now or earlier. What a bummer.

And the saga continues. Wonder if/when Landon's agent will say anything...or Landon himself at this point. Doubt it in the middle of his MLS season, but it gets curiouser and curiouser with the MLS folks saying stuff and Landon's agent saying nothing.
 
Kay20 said:
Thanks for linking! I wonder what Payne considers "silly" money? What's the bottom of that band?

“We have gotten a lot of calls,” Payne said. “Everton really wanted Landon back. We are confident that we are hanging on to him. We want to win championships. …

Sigh. Wonder if the bolded line is referring to now or earlier. What a bummer.

And the saga continues. Wonder if/when Landon's agent will say anything...or Landon himself at this point. Doubt it in the middle of his MLS season, but it gets curiouser and curiouser with the MLS folks saying stuff and Landon's agent saying nothing.
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The article mentioned that a fair transfer value for Landon is believed to be around $12 million. Anything significantly more than, say half again as much would get into the "too much to turn down without really thinking about it" category, call it $20 million. Citeh is willing to splash out that kind of cash.

L.A.'s problem is that they want to be a globally recognized club ("recognized", not "quality"); they'll have to turn over that fee immediately on an even-higher profile signing that will cost them that much and them some. They were believed to be having relatively serious talks with Ronaldinho. They'd have to bring in that quality or higher to replace Donovan (for marketing, not footballing, purposes, but that's what's been driving LA for a while now).
 
Donovan would be a good permanent signing for you lot but, like you say, it's cash. I think all the City interest was just PR to sell some shirts in the USA. What's the chance of Pienaar moving on?
 

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