Michael Bradley - update 8/30 9:30 ET: 2 year deal with club option at Chievo?

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by deuteronomy, May 15, 2011.

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  1. deuteronomy

    deuteronomy Member+

    Angkor Siem Reap FC
    United States
    Aug 12, 2008
    at the pitch
    Club:
    Siem Reap Angkor FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #1 deuteronomy, May 15, 2011
    Let's try this . . .
     
  2. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    #2 wixson7, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa

    He's on the bench today, FYI.
     
  3. McGarnagle

    McGarnagle Member+

    Apr 29, 2010
    Club:
    FC Ingolstadt 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #3 McGarnagle, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa

    They made 1 change - Delph in for Heskey, so they are playing 4-5-1. There will likely be some "garbage time" so maybe he'll get a shot then.
     
  4. deuteronomy

    deuteronomy Member+

    Angkor Siem Reap FC
    United States
    Aug 12, 2008
    at the pitch
    Club:
    Siem Reap Angkor FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #4 deuteronomy, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa

    Here are just a few of the variables, just as a recap . . .

    1. Coach Marin O'Neill resigned shortly before the start of the season citing unhappiness over the funds available to sign new players.

    2. Coach Gerard Houllier was brought in following the resignation of O'Neill. Houlllier was not able to take charge immediately, and had actually not signed a contract, due to his commitments with the French FA.

    3. Prospects were a bit hopeful, as the Villains had finished 6th in the Premiership the season before.

    4. Injuries to key players decimated the squad early and the team struggled to pick up 21 points in the first 20 games in January. They faced the relegation (final 3) zone for the first time since 2002. The beleaguered Houllier bore most of the brunt from the media and fans for the failure.

    5. In an attempt to revive club fortunes, Houllier brought in Darren Bent, Kyle Walker, Jean Makoun from his former club, Lyon, and Michael Bradley.

    6. It was not immediately forseen what role might be available for Bradley but he was thrown into the logjam at Central Midfield with Makoun, Nigel Reo-Coker, Robert Pires, and team captain Stilian Petrov.

    7. Bradley's initial performances were a bit uneven as he adjusted to the speed of play in the premiership. For a period, he did not make the 18 man game day team. In the past two matches, he has made the bench but has not seen the field.

    8. Bradley along with fellow American, Brad Friedel, Nigel Reo-Coker and Robert Pires contracts expire at the end of the season.

    9. On April 20th, Houllier fell ill and has been advised not to return this year (and perhaps forever) to the sideline.

    10. Gary McCalister was named caretaker manager in the interim. McCalister has indicated that he felt compelled to play the players who offered the most experience in this critical period. He praised Bradley's professionalism.

    11. Meanwhile, Bradley's former club, Borussia Mönchengladbach enjoyed a bit of a resurgence, having been mired in the German relegation zone much of the year. They now are playing in a playoff against a 2nd division club to see who goes/stays up.

    12. Michael Bradley's status and future appear likely to be sorted out this summer.
     
    2 people repped this.
  5. bungadiri

    bungadiri Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jan 25, 2002
    Acnestia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #5 bungadiri, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa

    Not the nepotism thread folks. Please reserve that discussion for the thread dedicated to it, in the USA Men forum.
     
    2 people repped this.
  6. gmonn

    gmonn Member+

    Dec 8, 2005
    #6 gmonn, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa

    Did he get out there for the last 10 minutes? Fuzzy stream, but it looked like him.
     
  7. Skevin

    Skevin Member+

    Aug 9, 2009
    Colorado
    Club:
    Aston Villa FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    #7 Skevin, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa

    Michael played around 15 minutes today. It was a very exciting match and I thought this sub should have came earlier. Petrov looked tired earlier but at least Bradley got sometime. I wasn't watching Bradley too much but I did notice he played quite well. He got a few great touches, good through balls, and some nice tackles. I am surprised in how well Bradley played. He was on the ball quite a bit and the announcers called his name a lot. I hope this performance warrants a start for Bradley in the final game of the season.
     
  8. withoutthee88

    withoutthee88 Red Card

    Aug 23, 2008
    Chicago/USA
    #8 withoutthee88, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    I hope Borussia forgive Michael and give him a second chance. :eek:
     
  9. ChambersWI

    ChambersWI Member+

    Nov 10, 2010
    Club:
    AC Milan
    #9 ChambersWI, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    maybe it's just me, but I feel Mikey was a bit of a victim of circumstances at Villa so far (if he stays there). There has to be a bit of a transition as well coming over to a new team and new league in January and being stuck a bit in a log jam.
     
  10. sidefootsitter

    sidefootsitter Member+

    Oct 14, 2004
    #10 sidefootsitter, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa

    He was OK.

    Arsenal had a couple of chances while he was on the pitch and popped in their only goal after Michael replaced an injured Stan Petrov.

    The Gunners aren't exactly known as a suffocating team anyway. Their main threat comes from when they have the possession. In that respect, Mikey had one interception and got bypassed a few times. He made no runs with the ball but made a few safe layoff passes. For a rotational sub, it was adequate.
     
  11. prowazekii

    prowazekii Member

    Jun 21, 2008
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #11 prowazekii, May 15, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  12. Lloyd Heilbrunn

    Lloyd Heilbrunn Member+

    Feb 11, 2002
    Jupiter, Fl.
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #12 Lloyd Heilbrunn, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    Aston The Question: Will Michael Bradley stick at Villa?
     
  13. Ghost

    Ghost Member+

    Sep 5, 2001
    #13 Ghost, May 15, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    Michael Bradley at the more wretched hive of scum and Villa-ny
     
    1 person likes this.
  14. alky13

    alky13 Member

    Jul 29, 2009
    Manchester/NYC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #14 alky13, May 16, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    I'm just not certain he's going to be able to garner the kind of money that Gladbach want for him. This loan move was supposed to put him in the window for a deal and it did nothing but keep him in the back room. Villa have zero dollars. Unless they can make some money off of Ashley Young or even Friedel they'll be the same squad looking for loan injections to bolster their depth.
     
  15. McGarnagle

    McGarnagle Member+

    Apr 29, 2010
    Club:
    FC Ingolstadt 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #15 McGarnagle, May 16, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    They have money for transfers, they are just going to shift some of the bigger salaries and bring in some cheaper contracts, plus they already have a lot of salaries coming off the books. I expect a busy summer of ins and outs for them.
     
  16. Lascho

    Lascho Member+

    Sep 1, 2008
    Hannover, Germany
    Club:
    Borussia Mönchengladbach
    #16 Lascho, May 16, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    Gladbach are going to sign Matthias Zimmermann from KSC; emergency right back for Karlsruhe, and DM for Germany's U19. 50 game in the 2. Bundesliga at the age of 18.
     
  17. sidefootsitter

    sidefootsitter Member+

    Oct 14, 2004
    #17 sidefootsitter, May 16, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    Brad (both Brads?) is a free agent.
     
  18. Alex_1

    Alex_1 Member

    Mar 29, 2002
    Zürich
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    #18 Alex_1, May 16, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    This is un-true. Villa do have money to spend in the market. And they probably will have more if Ashley Young goes. What really hurt was that they started from well behind at the very beginning of the season. What has to happen soon, is sorting out the management situation and then deciding on what is needed/who is needed for next season. It wasn't about putting him in the window too much - I think Bradley would have liked to have played for Villa, but circumstances unfortunately didn't work out perfectly... from the dogfight to Houllier's illness. Perfect storm, so to speak.

    Always funny how Villa's talked about... I remember some time ago, they were slagged for being relegation fodder. But even this season while they struggled, they still had some talent. And that even includes dealing with the losses of such great contributors like Milner & Barry a few seasons before. It's replacing that talent that's allowed to go/sold that hurts & even a part of where O'Neill's frustration grew. It wasn't anything new & everyone could see it - the magic dip in form after January, thanks in large part to a small squad.
     
  19. Skevin

    Skevin Member+

    Aug 9, 2009
    Colorado
    Club:
    Aston Villa FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    #19 Skevin, May 16, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    Yeah we have money. We got rid of Carew and it seems we will be selling Ireland to Newcastle which means more money. If Ashley Young leaves, that means even more money but I pray that doesn't happen. We will have enough to sign Bradley if we want to.
     
  20. GiallorossiYank

    GiallorossiYank Member+

    Jan 20, 2011
    NJ/Roma/Napoli
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #20 GiallorossiYank, May 16, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    Now do you think Villa will sign Bradley?
     
  21. tom12

    tom12 Member

    Jun 29, 2007
    BR, LA
    Club:
    Aston Villa FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #21 tom12, May 17, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    Its really impossible to say, it depends on a couple of things. Firstly, the impression he's making in training. It also depends on whether or not Nigel Reo-Coker signs a new contract. We sold barry, gardner, sidwell and milner in recent years and Stan has at most a year or two left. So if NRC goes this summer that leaves us with: Makoun, Delph, Petrov, Bannan, and Hogg. The last two on that list are former academy players whose future with the club are very uncertain. You also have to factor in the possible change of managers over the summer (fingers crossed!). If a new manager comes in I'm sure he'll have his own targets.
     
  22. Skevin

    Skevin Member+

    Aug 9, 2009
    Colorado
    Club:
    Aston Villa FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    #22 Skevin, May 17, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    I honestly think we will especially if we cant resign Coker. Petrov is getting older and Delph is a inexperienced but looks like he can crack into the XI next year. I could see a mid of Delph-Makoun-Bradley next year.
     
  23. deuteronomy

    deuteronomy Member+

    Angkor Siem Reap FC
    United States
    Aug 12, 2008
    at the pitch
    Club:
    Siem Reap Angkor FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #23 deuteronomy, May 17, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    This is a key question and there are entirely too many variables to say . .

    1. Will there be a new manager? Probably

    2. Would he would to bring in some new players to the uncertainty of the AV midfield? Highly likely

    3. Would he/AV be more likely to sign the experienced commodity of Reo-Coker to a long term situation than the younger Bradley? leaning toward yes

    4. If Mike is looking for more of a possibility to start/play Villa may not be the situation for him. Assuredly

    5. My Magic 8-Ball response is "Outlook not so good" . . .
     
  24. sidefootsitter

    sidefootsitter Member+

    Oct 14, 2004
    #24 sidefootsitter, May 17, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    The potential new management is the key.

    I suppose he could be bought by the current staff too but then he'll risk that the new gaffer will give preference to his own guys.
     
  25. chad

    chad Member+

    Jun 24, 1999
    Manhattan Beach
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #25 chad, May 17, 2011
    Re: Michael Bradley faces the uncertainty at Aston Villa [R]

    You'd hope they'd start him the last game.
     
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