Perfect time for Andre Blake's agent to mention he could get a work permit. Or at least I think he could.
so lame he'd need to jump through all of these hoops to play in the country that created the USA in the first place.... every other former colonial, non-euro country gets automatic rights in at least 1 euro country it seems, except the USA and a handful of others....
I suppose that's because they are free to exploit those nations whereas the US and a handful of others refuse to have its citizens be exploited at least that's what I wonder when I read of the Cotonou agreement and various others. It seems incredibly unequal.
Snip: Steffen will be loaned out from Manchester City to a team in Europe next season while he continues to try to qualify for a work permit in England. [His younger sister] Lexy will be going with him. It could be Spain, the Netherlands, France or Germany. https://www.dispatch.com/sports/201...his-rise-in-soccer-to-backing-from-his-family
Germany bound? #USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen is set to head on loan to Fortuna Dusseldorf from Manchester City, per multiple sources with knowledge of the plans: https://t.co/mDg7iexZqH pic.twitter.com/dhgNx9R5DZ— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) June 4, 2019
Sounds like it’s Fortuna Düsseldorf. #USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen is set to head on loan to Fortuna Dusseldorf from Manchester City, per multiple sources with knowledge of the plans: https://t.co/mDg7iexZqH pic.twitter.com/dhgNx9R5DZ— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) June 4, 2019
Michael Rensing was the GK for Fortuna last season. He was famously at Bayern for many many years. He is experienced keeper but I don't think he is really all that good. It will be interesting to see if Steffen can beat him out.
And their backup is a 39 yr old Jaroslav Drobn. So you have a 35 year old and a 39 year old. It makes sense that Dusseldorf is searching for a younger upgrade. Not to mention Dusseldorf finished a very, very respectable 10th after being promoted. It could be a great landing spot. I assume Steffen also has a grasp on the German language, too.
So, like when a GK is sent on loan, are their specific guarantees that they will be a no.1 or the right opportunity to compete for it? I can imagine the resident no.1 being very pissed at this.
Steffen will at least have company with the Ruhr area boys this time around. I imagine he'll be hanging out with McKennie and co.
I imagine he's being brought into compete very strongly for the no.1 spot. For a club like Fortuna, putting off a goalkeeper purchase even one season allows them to spend elsewhere to help fight the drop. The nice thing about gk's is they are an island unto themselves... Meaning they can play the best available gk without screwing up the team flow or view towards building forward. If they stay up one more year, then they can splash the keeper money if needed.
The loan doesn’t make sense for any of the 3 parties unless the job is Zack’s to lose. 1 might make a mistake. But not all 3. Nothing is guaranteed, but Zack will have every opportunity to start.
We laugh, but I am happy about that for Zack. He is tight with his family, and actually has the names of his siblings tattooed on him.
Sounds like a good spot. High enough level to be a step up from MLS, but on a team needing a goalie to step in and take the spot. Naturally, he has to show better than the other options, but this looks like a well-thought out opportunity with every chance for success.
Agreed. He was self-reflective about his struggles in his first run in Germany, and his sister joining him hopefully will help in the transition back.
Yea this seems like a very ideal fit. It’s enough of a challenge for him to get that #1 spot locked down and learn at a higher level, but not too difficult that this loan seems like a waste.
If he gets to start at Fortuna then that will be an outstanding move... no way he was coming from the Crew to knock out Ederson.