Come At me Brough: Brad Guzan at Middlesbrough

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

I saw that a moment ago in the old thread. Was that you?

....

"As his contract was up at the end of 2008, there were basically three options - re-sign with the league, go to Europe over the summer or walk on a free transfer in the winter. The league is not dumb enough to let potential millions of dollars slip away, and neither is Guzan. So this was the only option available for Guzan and MLS.

For Guzan, the move is good. Heading over to England will help him elevate his game even further and could give him a realistic opportunity of beating out Tim Howard as the United States national team's number one goalkeeper."

....

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-guzan12-2008jul12,0,1717536.story

LA Times running it as well.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

Given the pedigree of U.S. keepers in England I found it hard to believe he didn't get a talent exemption the last go-round, but how is he now eligible to play in England?

Perhaps because it's the offseason and Brad has made quite a few more appearances for the US NT? I know they weren't WP-qualifying caps but perhaps it adds another persuasive element to AV's argument when going to the WP tribunal...

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

Yea!

Anyone done the WP analysis for this one?

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

I think this is great if its true. I just watched Brad play with Chivas last night on espn.

I'm glad he finally got the move.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

So is the wp worked out?

I thought they worked something out before but it couldn't go all the way through becasue of a wp.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

Are you trying to re-cork our champagne?

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

Partially. ANd partially that Guzan now won't be directly replacing the English hope for the future.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

It all seems, while unsaid, that a work permit has been granted.

Hopefully, he stays at Villa and doesn't end up in China come next month.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

Still don't understand how he's eligible under the explicit terms...


Or is it more of an "understood" thing? As in, Villa somehow checked and made sure that his future appeal would be successful this time?

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

Funny you should say that, since Chris Seitz penned Guzan's work permit appeal letter.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

He's not. He'll have to appeal.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

Luis Bueno (CNN/SI) with further confirmation...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/soccer/07/11/guzan.avilla/index.html

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

I hope that is true. Also, you'd think now Seitz is looking at being the number #1 for us come August.

Is it just me or am I the only person who thinks that Guzan is slightly over-rated? He has seemed less then sharp to me recently, and he gave up a very soft goal (got beat at his near post) in last nights game. He's a good keeper, but IMO not close to howard or even Hanny. Good thing for him Villa's talent pool in that position is pretty shallow.

All things aside, best of luck to you Brad, make us proud, and we'll be watching you on FSC.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

It wasnt near post... it was just a great finish...

I think Seitz is going to be better...

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

Hmm. I think it was his near post brotherman. But anyway, he gives up that goal in a big game on a bigger stage, he's going to have a couple more people than Dellacamra and Harkes criticizing him at the next level...

In a nut shell: He's going to have to step up.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

guzan seems to have been afflicted with the malaise of some mls potential transfers - beasley, convey, deuce. they get distracted when the transfer negotiations are underway.

the young guzano's talent is clearly there tho. that's what villa is buying.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

From what I heard last night, he now has the minutes played for the NT to qualify and will make it on that requisite. Apparently he can qualify through minutes even though he hasn't been capped in 75% of the games. I cannot verify the veracity of this claim, just that I heard it.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

There's no such exception in the Home Office rules, unless it's something that they don't publicize.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

IMO, the highlighted word is the key. Especially in light of the fact they could have waited 6 months and got him on a free.

$3M seems kind of high for a player that can be had on a free in 6 months. AV must have really wanted/needed him now.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

...maybe they think they will get the appeal on that basis???

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

Exactly. Which is why I guessed that Villa have some sense of certainty that his appeal will go through.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

I thought Guzan's work permit was approved because he played in 75% of the MNT's games in the past year. Why do you think Bradley put him in at halftime against England and Spain? To get him Caps so he can get the work permit.

 

Re: Guzan sold to Aston Villa (Sideline Views)

More evidence to support my theory...

From Soccernet.com