Fulham signs another American...this is just getting ridiculous

[superdave]

Fulham have now signed Eddie Johnson. If you count Hangeland, who actually was born in the US, Fulham can start 6, yes 6 Yanks. Plus Simon Elliott, who went to college here, and played in MLS for a while, and almost certainly obtained a green card (permanent resident status.) I suspect no non-EU nation has ever been so well represented on 1 English club.

PS...this is not bragging. I recognize that Fulham suck.

[Michel_Platini]

McBride was their leading scorer and helped them stay in the Premiership until he got injured. Dempsey scored the winner against Liverpool to keep them up, and is their leading scorer this year--and he has only been here for one year. Kasey Keller has been injured, and hasn't played much. Bocanegra has scored goals for Fulham, though only one this year. However, he has been a part of a back four that can't keep a lead.

Frankly, I don't know why they sign so many Americans, but so far their individual production has been good. However, the team is out gunned and out skilled in the premierhship.

Dempsey is more of a creating attacker, able to finish through craft and feignts, rather than speed or pure strength. He also sets people up fairly well. His outside shots leave a lot to be desired.

Eddie Johnson has speed speed speed. If he can display his skill at that pace in he will be effective. But honestly, I felt Dempsey was more ready for the premiership than EJ, because Dempsey's game is bold and confident. He tries stuff, and succeeds, where no other American, including Donovan, has been able to do.

[sendorange]

Given their lack of pulling power and their small transfer budgets for the last few years, this one generally excepting, not a surprise they would move extensively outside of the usual markets. It has worked well for them in terms of ££s per contribution, but I can still only see them going down. Not enough proven Prem players or star quality.

[Tima]

Fulham seem to have gone on a ridiculous spending spree - around £35m of very average players in the last year. They have massive debts and I can see them disappearing down the leagues in the next few years.
The Yanks they have bought have generally impressed me, I knew McBride from his Everton days and always liked him as a good (but not great) striker who would do the simple things very well, work hard and put his body on the line.
Dempsey has impressed and I think would get another Prem club interested if Fulham are relegated, he reminds me of Cahill, with more skill but less of the end product that makes Cahill so special.
Eddie Johnson has the physical attributes to do well I just worry about his technique, for all the talk of the Premier League being all about strength and speed you don't succeed if you can't retain possesion and control the ball instantly with either foot.

[AllWhitebeliever]

What?? You guys havn't signed Landon Donovan yet??????? What's wrong with you guys? Are you running out of money?

[Convey Crew]

The US is not well represented in the EPL. Goaltending seems to be our best shot. Fulham, besides McBride and maybe Dempsey are the only ones playing like they belong. Eddie Johnson looks lost every game and does not belong on the field just yet. I want US players do well but no US player is standing out to make a case for themselves.

[AllWhitebeliever]

F. . . . Plus Simon Elliott, who went to college here, and played in MLS for a while, and almost certainly obtained a green card (permanent resident status.) I suspect no non-EU nation has ever been so well represented on 1 English club.

PS...this is not bragging. I recognize that Fulham suck.

Hey I didn't realised that you mention him.

He's a New Zealander and he's coming back from an injury. He will hold the defensive midfielder position hopefully. But he's not American. . . Fullham had other non-EU players why pick him just because of his MLS experience? I played against him before when he was in Wellington College school team. He does not represent US, he's an All White (New Zealand National Team Footballer).

Why pick him?

You have Seol Ki-Hyeon,Paul Stalteri , Adrian Leijer, Tony Warner as well. Paul Stalteri's a Canadian why didn't you mention him and not Simon Elliott.:rolleyes:

Superdave you disappoint me.;)

[superdave]

Why pick him?

Plus Simon Elliott, who went to college here, and played in MLS for a while, and almost certainly obtained a green card (permanent resident status.)
Hope this answers your question.

[AllWhitebeliever]

Well Paul Stalteri played at Clemson University in the US during 1996 and is a Canadian so he's a North American, that must count better that Simon Elliot.

Ok so he may have got a green card.

. . . And?

Are you telling me that he is just as cheap as the others?

Oh well, never mind.

[PsychedelicCeltic]

Well Paul Stalteri played at Clemson University in the US during 1996 and is a Canadian so he's a North American, that must count better that Simon Elliot.

Ok so he may have got a green card.

. . . And?

Are you telling me that he is just as cheap as the others?

Oh well, never mind.
I'm not sure you get his point. Someone who has a green card is on the path to citizenship. If Simon Eliott stuck around in MLS, he'd probably have taken up citizenship. And he was scouted from MLS. So he's very similar to the Americans Fulham signed - US domestic players.

[FC Arizona]

It is official today. FulhamAmerica stays up. How many Americans did Birmingham have? I know that Reading has Hannaman and Convey. Perhaps they needed a few more Americans?

[Alan_V]

BUMP

Fulham lets Bocanegra go.