Gaven Linked With Man Utd

[Talksoccer365]

MANCHESTER United could swoop Stateside again and plunder Tim Howard's old club New Jersey/New York MetroStars for highly rated teenage midfielder Eddie Gaven.

The 17-year-old is earning rave reviews in America for his performances in Major League Soccer and the Reds have been put on alert.

Gaven is a six foot creative and ball winning athletic midfielder with the engine to get box-to-box and can score goals as well.

The player, who'll be 18 in October, was born in Hamilton, New Jersey close to Howard's own roots and he became the second youngest player to sign a contract with the MLS last year and the youngest in MetroStars history to make his debut last June against Chicago at the age of 16 years, 232 days.

This season, Gaven has played in all 13 of MetroStars' Easter Conference league matches and has helped his side to the top of the table.

Impact

United's departure into the American transfer market both for young and senior players is proving a successful route for the Reds.

Howard's impact since arriving at Old Trafford 12 months ago for £2.5m has been phenomenal and brought forward the end of Fabien Barthez's days at United.

Another senior `keeper, Ricardo, also had to seek regular football on a long term loan to Racing Santander in Spain because of Howard's stunning success.

The American, no doubt, will have kept manager Sir Alex Ferguson up to date on Gaven's success.

The `keeper has been back in the States this summer on international duty and will also probably have taken in one or two of the MetroStars matches.

Gaven, who scored twice in a 3-0 win in Los Angeles last week, would bolster United's young ranks of Americans which has seen the arrival and impact of defender Jonathan Spector from Chicago Sockers and striker Kenny Cooper from Solar SC in Dallas in the academy and reserve sides.

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[therealronaldo7]

I am not convinced this guy has quite what it takes to play in the EPL. I am a firm believer that young American players like Adu and Gaven should stay in the MLS through their teenage years to gain as much experience as possible. Maybe in a few years this would be a good idea.

[slpcpa]

I am not convinced this guy has quite what it takes to play in the EPL. I am a firm believer that young American players like Adu and Gaven should stay in the MLS through their teenage years to gain as much experience as possible. Maybe in a few years this would be a good idea.
I concur; besides, how would he be able to get his hands on a work permit?

[Tigerpunk]

I am not convinced this guy has quite what it takes to play in the EPL. I am a firm believer that young American players like Adu and Gaven should stay in the MLS through their teenage years to gain as much experience as possible. Maybe in a few years this would be a good idea.

What about good young Portugese players?

Put it this way...if you wait 2 years to pick up Gaven (after the 2006 world cup), and he's as good as your scouts seem to think he is, then the odds are you either won't get him or will be paying up the wazzoo for him. If you really think Gaven should stay in MLS, then ManU's best option is to pull a Donovan and sign him and then loan him back to MLS. Otherwise, expect Chelski, Arsenal, and a host of other well funded teams to make a run at him if he's as talented as he so obviously is.

[Tigerpunk]

I concur; besides, how would he be able to get his hands on a work permit?

I think he might be able to secure an Irish passport. If not, he'd need an exemption, which he probably could get based on his age and talent and a club's willingness to sign him to a long term deal.

[therealronaldo7]

What about good young Portugese players?

Put it this way...if you wait 2 years to pick up Gaven (after the 2006 world cup), and he's as good as your scouts seem to think he is, then the odds are you either won't get him or will be paying up the wazzoo for him. If you really think Gaven should stay in MLS, then ManU's best option is to pull a Donovan and sign him and then loan him back to MLS. Otherwise, expect Chelski, Arsenal, and a host of other well funded teams to make a run at him if he's as talented as he so obviously is.

Eddie Gaven is not a bad player, but he has a lot of work to do before he has all the big clubs lining up for him. You can talk about the young Portuguese players, but Ronaldo is a once in a lifetime kind of player that can and did make an impact for United last year. Gaven would not see the field much for United.
Also, don't forget, this is Manchester United we are talking about. "Paying up the wazzoo for him," as you say, would be relatively cheap by United's standards.
I hope Eddie Gaven comes to fruition as a great player for the US, but we will only know in a few years time. Right now, the MLS is where he needs to be.
One more thing, I know I am not versed well in work permits and such, but what good would an Irish Work Permit be in England? Can you use an Irish Work Permit there?

[Danks81]

An Irish passport would allow him to work in any EU nation, including England, without the need for a work permit.

[therealronaldo7]

An Irish passport would allow him to work in any EU nation, including England, without the need for a work permit.

Thanks! I am not sure of how work permits work and such. I guess my question then would be, is it easier to get an Irish work permit rather than an English one?

[slpcpa]

An Irish passport would allow him to work in any EU nation, including England, without the need for a work permit.
But, how/why would he be able to obtain an Irish passport? He was born in NJ, correct?

[Ringo]

But, how/why would he be able to obtain an Irish passport? He was born in NJ, correct?

don't forget: eddie gaven is above the law. eddie gaven pretty much does what eddie gaven wants. :D
that and I think he has irish relatives that make him elgible.

[Tigerpunk]

Eddie Gaven is not a bad player, but he has a lot of work to do before he has all the big clubs lining up for him. You can talk about the young Portuguese players, but Ronaldo is a once in a lifetime kind of player that can and did make an impact for United last year. Gaven would not see the field much for United.
Also, don't forget, this is Manchester United we are talking about. "Paying up the wazzoo for him," as you say, would be relatively cheap by United's standards.
I hope Eddie Gaven comes to fruition as a great player for the US, but we will only know in a few years time. Right now, the MLS is where he needs to be.
One more thing, I know I am not versed well in work permits and such, but what good would an Irish Work Permit be in England? Can you use an Irish Work Permit there?

It's your assertion that Ronaldo is a once in a lifetime player. But it's hardly undeniable fact. I don't know if Gaven at 17 is similar to where Ronoaldo, Kaka, Diego, Rooney, and a host of young stars are at 17 (at which age none of them were starting in Europe with the exception of Rooney), but Gaven is one of the dominant players right now at 17 in MLS, far more dominant than Adu at 15 and closing in on Beasley, Donovan, and others who have significant years on him.

I know paying up the wazzoo isn't much for ManU, but it isn't much for alot of teams either. To give up the advantage of scouting him now would put you on an equal footing in the competition for him later with a group of G14 teams who could easily outbid you.

[MetroAndAGuinessPlz]

But, how/why would he be able to obtain an Irish passport? He was born in NJ, correct?

You can apply for Irish citizenship if you have at least one grandparent that was an Irish citizen. Not sure wether or not Gaven does, but it's one route he could take.

[Metros Striker10]

I'm sure that if Man U really wanted Eddie, they could get him without the work permit. Wasn't that the case with Howard? Howard had a lot of references including Tony Meola, who played in two World Cups, so I think that gave him the edge. Given that Howard did play with Gaven, heck they both played goalie in one game, I'm sure that a reference from him would be very helpful, no?

Plus, Gaven was just called up by Arena, so I guess by the time he's 18, he'll have enough time needed with the Nats to get a real permit.

[slpcpa]

I'm sure that if Man U really wanted Eddie, they could get him without the work permit. Wasn't that the case with Howard? Howard had a lot of references including Tony Meola, who played in two World Cups, so I think that gave him the edge. Given that Howard did play with Gaven, heck they both played goalie in one game, I'm sure that a reference from him would be very helpful, no?

Plus, Gaven was just called up by Arena, so I guess by the time he's 18, he'll have enough time needed with the Nats to get a real permit.
I am by no means a work permit expert, but only FIFA "sanctioned" matches count towards the international experience that a foreigner needs in order to qualify for a work permit. Only WC, WCQ or Confederations Cup, or other FIFA sanctioned matches are counted towards the 75% needed to obtain a work permit in England. Hence, friendly matches, like the upcoming Poland match, will not help Gaven obtain a work permit. He needs to play in WCQ matches and WC '06 if hopes to obtain the work permit for a possible transfer to the EPL in July 2006.

[Manchester Unizzle]

I think Eddie Gaven is coming along quite nicely and can become America's next midfielder. He sure plays with more "gonads" than Landon Donovan ever does.

[Rei de Boston]

I have to agree that at this moment it is far better for Gaven to stay and play in MLS. Experience is what he and all young players need in order to keep developing. This year he has been playing very well. I think scouting is the perfect thing to be doing. Make sure of his progress or lack therof so in the future, if he keeps improving, you can make a run at him.

[USsupport]

Thanks! I am not sure of how work permits work and such. I guess my question then would be, is it easier to get an Irish work permit rather than an English one?

getting the Irish passport is easy. as mentioned, all you need is one grandparent to be an Irish citizen. I'm not sure how strict the English are but I'd imagine it's a lot more work to get an British passport. games played, all that stuff. shoot, I'll adopt him and then he can have an Irish passport.

[haven]

I have to agree that at this moment it is far better for Gaven to stay and play in MLS. Experience is what he and all young players need in order to keep developing. This year he has been playing very well. I think scouting is the perfect thing to be doing. Make sure of his progress or lack therof so in the future, if he keeps improving, you can make a run at him.

Not sure I understand this position at all.

Essentially, your position must be that the MLS is better at developing prospects than a youth academy or reserve side in the EPL.

I'm not as convinced, as some are, that MLS is significantly worse at producing prospects... but at best it's a wash. At Manchester United, he would have access to better coaching and better facilities. And access to superior players.

I can't see how a move would hurt him. He'd still get game time in the reserves.

[Achtung]

The debate is over whether its better for Gaven to play in Man Utd reserves or on the first team for the Metros. Some guys might prefer the coaching and training available in Europe, while others might like to have a shot at regular first-team play while also having a better chance of being in the US Nats pool. Spector, Cooper, Szetela, Donovan, and Simek chose the former, while Adu, Convey, and Gaven chose the latter. But ultimately I think that if Gaven has settled into the Metros and is getting regular playing time, there's no reason to uproot him so he can play at a reserve level. Unless United want Gaven to be a regular squad player, not only are they unlikely to get his approval, they're also unlikely to get the work permit as well.

[slpcpa]

Not sure I understand this position at all.

Essentially, your position must be that the MLS is better at developing prospects than a youth academy or reserve side in the EPL.

I'm not as convinced, as some are, that MLS is significantly worse at producing prospects... but at best it's a wash. At Manchester United, he would have access to better coaching and better facilities. And access to superior players.

I can't see how a move would hurt him. He'd still get game time in the reserves.
Really? Check Jovan Kirovski's bio! I'd rather have Eddie in MLS now, than have him playing for the Metros when he is 28, because he couldn't make it in Europe. Did you know that Eddie's mom was driving him to practice in the family minivan before Eddie obtained his drivers license?

Not every 17 year old kid can leave their family and friends behind and flourish in the youth academy with a huge club like Man U. Where would Donovan be now without MLS? Answer = he would be following in Jovan's footsteps!