A friend from MLS front office says that Atletico Madrid, under prompting from coach Javier Aguirre, are interested in Clint Dempsey. A little background: Aguirre was the Mexico coach from 2000-2002, played in NASL in the early 80s and still has strong ties in the US. He's fluent in English and was actually one of the foreign coaches considered to replace Sampson in 98 before the fed eventually decided upon Arena. Dempsey would seemingly fit in fairly well at Atletico because they just recently lost both their wingers (Maxi Rodriguez and Martin Petrov) to season-ending knee injuries. The guy who gave me the rumor has a hit-and-miss record over the past 9 months, though he did give me the Red Bulls purchase and Matt Jansen's training session before anyone else. So take it with a grain of salt, but keep your eyes open. Food for thought: Maybe this is why MLS turned down the offer from Charlton? A bidding war, albeit a minor one, could double Clint's pricetag by the time the window reopens in January.
Dempsey's going to be thanking his lucky stars he DIDN'T go to Charlton by the time this thing's all over.
Atletico would be a fantastic place for Duece, but I'd prefer to see him goto the EPL so I can see him play more. I also feel he'd be much more comfertable in an English speaking environment with other Americans near-by.
Do you know him personally? Or has he given quotes saying as much? Not flaming, just asking. Dempsey to me seems like the kind of guy who'd play anywhere and do so happily, as long as it was stretching his abilities to their maximum. As of now, Atletico fits the bill. EDIT: And yeah, GolTV is worth the extra few bucks a month on the cable bill, if only for confirmation that MLS is not the only league in the world with awful referees.
He grew up in Texas playing soccer with Hispanics or Latino-Americans, or whatever is the PC term. Anyway, I'm sure he picked up a bit Spanish. If the coach can speak English, then that makes things a bit easier as well. Also, a flight from Madrid to England takes a less time than Boston to Dallas. Just saying. Also, if he is as driven as he seems to be/says he is, I doubt he would be spending much time going around the U.K. hanging with other Americans. I also think that the Spanish League would fit his style a bit better, and allow him to develop into the player he seems to want to be: athletic with flair on the ball (and not the Chotchkie’s type).
Spain is amazing, beautiful, and a completely different way of life. If Clint can make it there he can make it anywhere. Personally I would love Dempsey to do a couple of seasons in Spain and get some Spanish in his vocabulary. I think Clint would fall in love with the country.
Clint Dempsey is the best player that is currently playing in the MLS. Since I moved here he's been the one who has the attribute's to make it back in England........ He should lead the way and start an exodus of the best talent here going abroad! I don't think the MLS will suffer either, as the players that get better will move at different stage's and the older one's will come back maybe? you have some really amazing youngster's that i'd like to see leave for europe......... as for Donovan, I think he's over rated and his attitude stink's if he doesn't want to try out a bigger league! No disrespect to the MLS as i'm embracing it! But the U.S. footie need's a kick in the arse! and that will come from experience of playing abroad, this has turned into a bit of a sermon, but the potential is so huge here and it's already annoying me that the MLS itself is holding it back
MLS turned down the offer 'cause it was a ridiculous offer for Dempsey, he's worth twice that much, bidding war or no. given his background and style of play, this would be a wonderful move for both Clint and Atletico
This would be awesome -- I've been waiting to get some Americans back in La Liga...now I'd have another reason to cheer against Real I just hope that he gets to play with Torres... And Spain is a wonderful place to live...oh, wait, Madrid? Madrid is no Barcelona
The type of English spoke in England and the type of English Dempsey likes to speak, are distant, distant cousins at best. "What it do..."
where r u? and two words...satelite Tv.... as to Dempsey to Atletico, that'd be awesome but guess there would be some crazy competition to gain a position anywhere in midfield, considering Aguero comes off the bench... and the dude has the ability to score with his hands too to boot... I kid, i kid....would love to see some YAs in La Liga, but i'll say it might be a tougher road to prove himself in a league that greatly values on the ball technique oh, yeah and if you hurry up getting goltv, you might just catch the Real Madrid, Barcelona superclasico this weekend..... IMO the best clasico quality wise (both team put together) compared to any of the other big Euro leagues....
Haha. That was the most blatent hand ball next to Maradonas. But yea if Dempsey does come to spain, that would be awsome. The laxed defense along with his style of play on the ball would be a match made in heaven!
The problem is: I currently have cable, and have nowhere I could put a dish according to my landlord. So in order to get Gol TV I'd have to: a) Move b) Switch from cable to satellite Now this is something to consider next time I'm thinking of moving, but not something where I'm going to break my lease tomorrow.
Side note ... my kid is the worst Eurosnob in existence, God he's hard to take. Like many teenagers, he's so damn brand conscious and you can't talk him away from his damned pretentious brands -- Nike, Abercrombie, Euro Champions League, Quiksilver, etc. At any rate, the point is we were watching an MLS broadcast and they showed a few Clint Dempsey highlights. The kid sits straight up in his chair and says with admiration, "That guy can play." Pauses. "Why is he in MLS?"
this would be a great move... I wanna see an American field player in La Liga... it would be so exciting to see Clint play for Club Atlético de Madrid... a huge club too...
NO diss to MLS i love my team and the league but i asked the same question after watching this kid against italy in the world cup then against Ghana. why is this guys still in New England.
Dempsey in MLS...not by his choice First of all, I'm a big time supporter of MLS. That said, according to Dempsey after winning the US Soccer Player of the Year award, he stated that he wants to play in Europe...anywhere in Europe. So I don't think he would give two stink bombs if it was La Liga or the EPL. Second of all, the reason he is still in MLS, to answer some of your questions, is that MLS has not accepted any bids. According to an article in the Boston Globe (I'm sorry, I no longer have that link but I'm sure many of you have read it), Dempsey makes it perfectly clear that he's pretty disgruntled with the league. And in my opinion, he let the league know that through his uninspired play post-World Cup, recent form notwithstanding. He also said that he WILL play in Europe, even if that means waiting until after his MLS contract is up. I don't blame him. And, there is nothing wrong with MLS being an export league in my humble opinion. Garber has to come to terms with that because that is what the league is and what it will be for years to come. Third of all, if MLS could have sold EJ to Benefica for $5 mill, wow did they miss the boat on that one!!!!
Apparently all he knows is: "Pase la pelota, por favor" http://www.soccer365.com/_365_Features/page_121_128711.shtml