Just another rumor article from Sky I came across this morning: Giant American defender Oguchi Onyewu has set his sights on a summer move to England. Onyewu is currently plying his trade in the Belgian league with Standard Liege, but has set his sights on a move up the ladder. The 23-year-old, who has been capped by his country, is eager to fulfil his dream of playing in England. "I'd love to play in England," said Onyewu. "The Premiership has always been a league I've aspired to play in." Onyewu, who stands at 6ft 4in, has a further 18 months to run on his contract with Standard. He has produced some solid efforts this term and has reportedly caught the eye of a number of Premiership clubs. http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=360666&CPID=8&clid=&lid=2&title=Gooch+eyes+England
A number of solid efforts? With a little research, they coulda made a more solid (and accurate) case by mentioning he's been voted in the 'Team of the Year' for 2005 and 2006..
I'm one of those who is still waiting for Sky to announce him going to ManU within the next 10 days as reported last summer.
Unlike some other US players, Gooch is perfect for England (and also for the BL). I think he should set his sights on the EPL and he ought to continue to develop into an outstanding player there. I'm a bit surprised no one made a play for him during the January transfer window, but I've little doubt that 6 months more waiting from Gooch will see his value rise further from his WCF play.
I was surprised no one did either though they might have and it wasn't reported. Some people have stated that with his team being in first place and the WC coming up he probably wouldn't have wanted to move on right now anyway. Also Standard weren't going to get rid of their best defender being in first place and probably knew they could get more money later. At least he knows in the months leading up to the WC that he'll be starting every game with a team he knows well. He'll probably move after the WC this summer though. I don't think he has anything else to prove in Belgium He's already shown he can get Red cards better than anyone else there! haha
Gooch needs to move to England. He needs to play in a league where the only way you can get sent off is if you break someone's leg.
Actually, he's eyeing England with one eye and Germany with another ... the boy's a little cross-eyed.
Actually, Gooch needs to think in terms of finding a club in a league where they develop world class center-backs. I can't say England would rank all that high on the list. England is easy, its on TV all the time, the language is not hard to learn and the pay is good. But when it comes to player development, Gooch can do better in other leagues.
So are you suggesting he take the Jaap Stam route and go to Holland then on to Italy but bypass England? England didn't hurt Stam too much, I guess..
Ahh, the exception to prove the rule. The Dutch would tell you that, generally speaking, England is not the place to find a great center-back.
LOL it seems like our guys just tend to incline more to the English Premier League.... thats not a bad at all... i just wished to see a good American Defender like Gooch ply his trade in the Serie A for a club like Lazio.
I know that England has great center halves, but if the World Cup started today there would be some tough choices. Sol and Rio are just not playing well. John Terry is excellent, but he seems not to be at the same level this year (still better than any US player at that position ever). There are plenty of others who could take their places. I think England would be a good place for Gooch because his style of play would be a fit. I think it would be more interesting to see him in Holland or Spain where he would have more of an offensive responsibility.
Jamie Carragher is brilliant. He has yet to prove himself internationally for England but should be given the chance to be #3 behind Rio and Terry. He was unbelievable in the run to the Champs League final last year.
Throw in Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate as well - he's playing for Real but he learnt his trade in the Premiership - and Matthew Upson. That's six even not considering Sol Campbell who's obviously awol in more ways than one at present. It really is the one position England have great depth at.
There would be tough choices because there are so many good options for them. They're probably the deepest team in the world there at the moment, presuming Sol Campbell gets his head back.
Exactly. I think we can all agree it's pretty crazy to think that the EPL cannot develop some great Central Defenders.