Today from Goal.com http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/t...ndon-donovan-attracting-serious-interest-from With Donovan out of contract and available for free, he is an attractive option. I know there have been previous LD threads in Yanks Abroad, but it makes sense to try and capture theories, speculation and evidence in a new thread....
I'm all for LD going to Mexico and winning championships. I doubt he can do that in Europe, we know he is not going to Barcelona, RM, Man U, Chelsea, etc so what does he have to gain, nothing. He didn't do it when he was young, who cares now. He might just be throwing stuff out there so that he can get Clint's type of money in LA.
Media reported that he had to sign his current deal in order to go on loan to Everton the first time.
The fact that he's available for free makes this interesting. He is essentially a risk-free asset. If you were Roma (completely unfounded speculation here) why wouldn't you take a flyer? Everton could sure use him, and I am pretty sure Martinez would want him. I think it is unlikely, but...since when has Donovan not followed his own drummer? He'll go somewhere if he thinks the experience of going somewhere will be interesting. Just don't go to ManU. As a long time Gunners fan, I don't think I could take that particular stick in the eye...
Wake me up when LD actually has an offer in hand of a club has gone on record saying they want him. I am all for LD moving abroad but I have serious reservations that a club, a good one, would take a flier on him even if he comes on a free. I honestly have no idea why I think that and I have nothing to show for it. It's just a gut feeling. A gut feeling that I hope is proven wrong.
You never know with that guy. Only he knows what he is thinking. He has played in MLS for 8 years in LA at home, then he cried that he wasn't spending enough time with family and he was tired. Now, if i was a betting man I would bet on him not going anywhere and getting a good salary increase.
That's not what happened. Landon wanted to go on loan in 2010 and MLS/LAG said no, can't go unless you sign an extension. If Landon didn't sign, he wouldn't have gone of loan in the WC year. It was a choice of no loan in a WC year or go on loan and sign an extension. And Landon still tried to force a sale when at Everton, which of course MLS/LAG said no too. Then, according to a number reports out of Everton last summer, LAG/Everton had an agreed upon sale for Landon leading up to Aug and Landon fully expected to move permanently. That was part of the reason Everton sold Cahill for such a cheap price. Then last minute LAG backed out. That was right around when Landon started talking about burnout and took a few games off from LAG. Part of his burnout appeared to be being burned out from dealing with LAG/MLS.
Good post. Won't sway the vocal minority that wants to always find something wrong with Donovan at every turn. But for the rest of us, a good summary and reminder.
I think this might be a little too vague and a little too premature for a YA thread at the moment. As y'all know, we're not big on speculation threads around here, and it's hard to see this thread as anything but...for now, at least. Would it be ok to revisit later in the fall?
I can see your point. I was hoping a few more things might shake lose after the Goal.com story, but so far he has not been photographed and any airports...