thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,866
|
Post by thebin on Jul 21, 2010 7:54:15 GMT -5
I can't believe Landon is going to stay in MLS. Surely this is an MLS negotiating tactic to pump up the offers? It's clear he wants to play over there, so as much as MLS would want to keep their bonafide US soccer star- they can't afford to do so while totally alienating him. Is it possible having tasted modest success at Everton and been in the world spotlight in South Africa that he is willing to play in the MLS during his prime? It's quite clearly now or never. What a waste that would be.
|
|
Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
|
Post by Boz on Jul 21, 2010 8:43:13 GMT -5
I don't find this too surprising.
Landon Donovan is 28 years old. By the next World Cup, he will be 32 years old.
Not too old to still be on the US team in four years, not at all, and not too old to still be an effective member of the team, even a starter. But certainly on the outskirts of being in his prime.
(And before you say it, yes, I am aware that there is more to international soccer than the World Cup.)
Probably his heyday as leader of the US team will be -- or maybe "should be"? -- winding down soon, don't you think?
As such, I don't think it's "now or never" for him. I think there is a chance it might just be never.
On the other hand, he is still the most popular and most recognized soccer player in this country, so it would make sense that MLS would want to keep him home. As Donovan himself said, "If I was [MLS] commissioner, I'd be saying the same thing."
Having said all of that, sure, if they get a good enough offer, they'll probably let him go if that's what he really wants. (Though, after his reception in DC, he might be thinking that hey, staying home and being a national hero - at least to soccer fans - for the next couple of years might not be the worst thing in the world.)
|
|
thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,866
|
Post by thebin on Jul 21, 2010 8:56:53 GMT -5
I'm not sure what the World Cup has to do with it. Strictly in terms of professional soccer, he's still in the fat part of his prime right now, maybe 2-3 years left- so big European clubs (and he shouldn't even consider smaller European clubs near relegation danger) won't have any interest in him when his current MLS contract is up. So the best Landon and MLS will do is to sell him now- if he wants to go, and all indications are that he does. It really is now or never. I'm not sure I understand the distinction that it is "just never." That's part of "now or never" isn't it? Are you saying he just doesn't want to go? Because it's been pretty clear since the Everton loan that he does. Just because he said that were he in MLS' shoes, he would want him to stay too doesn't really mean anything to me. It seems like a diplomatic way of saying "I want out but I'm not prepared to publically badmouth the league to force their hand on my transfer.....yet." But don't kid yourself, it would be a shame for him as a player to never play more than a couple of months at the top tier. Regardless of World Cup considerations.
Incidentally, I think Landon should not only be starting in 2014 but should be the undisputed leader of the team, even if Bradley or a Davies or someone else may well be considered the more potent threat by then. At 32, his physical abilities should have begun to dip- but just- which might be mitigated by an increase in experience. I hope there are several more dangerous scoring threats on the team by that time, but I don't share the conclusion that he'll be fighting for a starting slot at all. Especially if he goes and plays in a top league for the next 4 years.
|
|
thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,866
|
Post by thebin on Jul 21, 2010 9:14:58 GMT -5
By the way, I don't mean to say there's no chance Landon's skills are diminished in 4 years time, only that it's no foregone conclusion. But a player of his caliber, barring injury, will not be in any doubt whatsoever to start on a US roster at his position come 2014.
|
|
GIGAFAN99
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 4,487
|
Post by GIGAFAN99 on Jul 21, 2010 9:25:12 GMT -5
Diego Forlan is 31
Miroslav Klose is 32
Agree with bin
|
|
FLHoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Proud Member of Generation Burton
Posts: 4,544
|
Post by FLHoya on Jul 21, 2010 10:29:46 GMT -5
My guess is roughly what thebin alluded to originally: this is some kind of negotiating tactic by Don Garber. The unknown here: what is the "offer he can't refuse" at which Garber agrees to sell Landon? I think Garber's probably set that very high (and who can blame him really--Landon's THE marquee asset he's got in MLS and no one else is close) and beyond what the big clubs in Europe would paid at the moment. No reason it can't change...but if I'm a betting man, Landon is out on loan again this winter, and playing with the LA Galaxy in the spring.
Also, mortal lock that Donovan takes over as Captain of the USMNT the instant Carlos Bocanegra retires, and he'll be wearing the armband in Brazil. Semi-mortal lock that after Donovan retires, Michael Bradley takes it.
|
|
Jack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,411
|
Post by Jack on Jul 21, 2010 10:39:32 GMT -5
My guess is roughly what thebin alluded to originally: this is some kind of negotiating tactic by Don Garber. The unknown here: what is the "offer he can't refuse" at which Garber agrees to sell Landon? I think Garber's probably set that very high (and who can blame him really--Landon's THE marquee asset he's got in MLS and no one else is close) and beyond what the big clubs in Europe would paid at the moment. No reason it can't change...but if I'm a betting man, Landon is out on loan again this winter, and playing with the LA Galaxy in the spring. Also, mortal lock that Donovan takes over as Captain of the USMNT the instant Carlos Bocanegra retires, and he'll be wearing the armband in Brazil. Semi-mortal lock that after Donovan retires, Michael Bradley takes it. At what point does the year-round season take its toll on Lando? Has anyone done any analysis (by which I mean counting/simple addition) to see how many matches and minutes he plays as compared to other world class pros? Perhaps it is not all that different than a star at Arsenal or Barca, playing a full league season, Europe, various cups, and for the national team, but then those players are only serving 2 masters (club and country) and are likely to be rested when appropriate, while Donovan would have the Galaxy trying to milk him for all he is worth, the loan club trying to maximize his short time abroad, and the USMNT playing all over CONCACAF. That sort of schedule might turn 28 year old legs into 35 year old legs pretty quickly. |
|
theexorcist
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,506 
|
Post by theexorcist on Jul 21, 2010 11:05:41 GMT -5
I think that this is part of the reason why soccer always struggles in the US. I mean, LeBron left Cleveland, but any Ohioans don't need a visa to see him play.
MLS' existence as a minor league for better leagues continues to hurt it with American fans.
|
|
thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,866
|
Post by thebin on Jul 21, 2010 11:09:00 GMT -5
While I think it's possible Garber is only trying to drive the price up, it sure seemed like the wording might push suitors to just move on with other projects. It didn't seem vague. What did MLS get for Altidore, like $10MM? Even if Altidore is slowly entering "bust" territory even at his tender age, surely Landon must command more than Altidore did then. I've heard the figures $12-15MM thrown out there for him. How could MLS possibly turn down anything north of $12MM? I don't see him getting close to $20MM.
|
|
prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 23,529
|
Post by prhoya on Jul 23, 2010 23:03:47 GMT -5
Also, mortal lock that Donovan takes over as Captain of the USMNT the instant Carlos Bocanegra retires, and he'll be wearing the armband in Brazil. Semi-mortal lock that after Donovan retires, Michael Bradley takes it. Maybe Howard gets it after Donovan. Howard has a couple of WCs if he wants them. |
|
prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 23,529
|
Post by prhoya on Jul 23, 2010 23:07:16 GMT -5
I don't see him getting close to $20MM. Why not? He's proven his worth. You just need to check the transfer market after the WC to get his value. I put it somewhere between 15 and 18MM. |
|
ksf42001
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 901
|
Post by ksf42001 on Jul 24, 2010 6:38:19 GMT -5
I don't see him getting close to $20MM. Why not? He's proven his worth. You just need to check the transfer market after the WC to get his value. I put it somewhere between 15 and 18MM. The problem with Landon's transfer value is that he's 28. If any team pays $20 mil to acquire him is only going to get 4 years at most of top level Landon, so that's a lot to invest in such a short amount of work. That doesn't even take into account that they won't get much in transfer for him when he leaves the team. Altidore was worth 10 mil to Villarreal because of his age and potential. He has 10-12 years left in his career to work off the initial transfer cost. If he gets good, they can sell him for a profit (not really an option with Landon). If he's a bust after next year, he still has enough value to fetch 5-6 mil on the transfer market. Not a bad risk/reward scenario, especially since Villa didn't even pay his salary last year as he was on loan to Hull City. |
|
thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,866
|
Post by thebin on Aug 16, 2010 14:24:23 GMT -5
At this point I have to wonder if Garber didn't scare off all suitors with an unrealistic starting figure. Major radio silence in the last few weeks on this. Last thing I saw was that Everton flat out said they couldn't afford him and had moved on.
|
|
