If Jozy Altidore was an Englishman and not an American, how do you think the general view of him would differ? Would he still be viewed as a super prospect? A guy with the hopes of the soccer/football nation pinned to him as a future striker on the national team? Let's try to make sense of this. I'm going to assume, for simplicity's sake, that MLS is more or less around the same level of quality as the Coca-Cola Championship. As of now, Altidore has 8 goals & 4 assists in 17 league games this season (12 of them starts). That's just under a goal every two games. If Altidore was an Englishman, at age 17, and was producing those similar numbers halfway through the Coca-Cola Championship season for a mid-table team, do you think he'd be receiving similar hype? Would English fans and the English media be tabbing him as a future national team star? Is Altidore's level of productivity and his potential, at this age, good enough for England too?
iHe'd definitely be lauded as a great prospect and I feel would definitely be given a good look at, as England don't really have any good target men outside of Peter Crouch.
Altidore is on a completely different level than Walcott. It would suck if Jozy ened up on the level of Walcott.
u didnt see him yesterday... or ever As for the question... if he was English doing the same thing in hte Championship, he would more than likely have recieved an English call up by now... would be labeled the next Superstar... flash forward 10 years, and he would be burnt out, and they would be calling him a bust or saying he is finished
When the US produces players capable of being an important squad member for a team like Arsenal, we can talk about how much better our young players are than Walcott. I mean, I know people hate to hear this, but the US needs to have a couple of these prospects actually pan out in high level leagues before our guys are going to be seen as top prospects like Walcott is, instead of a talented long-shot which is where Jozy is. The first one to break through and rise to that level will surprise everyone. I'd love for Jozy to be that guy. But, if I had to put down money on who's gonna be the bigger player at the bigger club, history would clearly point to picking Walcott, as would his current status as a solid member of one of the top teams in the world. I respect our players and always root for them. I'd like nothing more than to see US players lighting up fields around the world. But, acting like we have suddenly jumped to the point where our young hopes are head and shoulders above the hopes of the young English players is a bit much.
I ask, because I don't know (Arsenal's site and Wikipedia did not have complete information): How many games has Walcott started? I haven't seen enough of Theo to be able to compare him to Jozy. Jozy has impressed me, though, and his attitude seems very good. Obviously the next couple of years will be very telling, but I'd definitely not bet against him. He has the physical tools and the attitude to be very successful. I'd like to see him go to a mid-table team in Italy or Spain after another year in MLS. BTW, I think this is an excellent thread, because many on this board don't have perspective regarding our young prospects.
if he was english, than we wouldn't be talking about him here on the MNT forum. now can we close this stupid thread please?
If Jozy was English: 1) He'd have bad teeth 2) He'd watch England not sack the f*** up in Wembley against the Germans. So I'm glad he's not:
I from England, I saw Altidore in the World Cup under-20, he is a good player with alot of potential, but he is no Theo Walcott especially if Walcott is healthy. Would a U.S. teen be given a spot on a world class England squad in the world cup as Walcott was? Its just a question
Only th U-20 WC? Have you seen him in any MLS games? I'm not trying to spark an argument or anything I'm just curious.
if he were english jozy would be playing for some crap team in coca cola... and no one would give a sh*t if he scored in coca cola because it's coca cola.
never said he would be the same talent as Walcott, just said he would sell for the same amount of cash . I think Jozy is better as well. how much did Walcott sell for 16 mil? If Altidore is English, maybe he's 20 million euro man Alas, we must factor in the "Americans are great athletes but poor footballers" card, and any American stigma at large, sooo, id say he's between 5-10 million. Depending on if there is a battle for his services or not. Personally i think come January he's on the other side of the pond, preferably Benefica
Could you please compare and contrast Jozy Altidore's talents, abilities, and production versus Walcott's?
Interesting post, considering England's woes at striker. And wasn't Walcott's inclusion in England's WC roster universally ridiculed, especially in England?
oh, just shut up already. If Altidore were a TRENDY footballing nationality, such as English/Brazilian/Argentinian/Italian, with the same exact skill, he would no doubt be valued at 10X his American value, and would already be signed to a huge contract at a CL club, probably vacillating between reserves and 1st team bench. Since Walcott is English, he is automatically over-valued by every English club. I realize Theo is good, but I have seen or heard nothing out of him that would make him better SKILL-WISE than Jozy. The only reason Walcott may be better in the future is because England has much better coaches than the US, not any inborn technical ability. Let's see, Arsene Wenger.....Bruce Arena. Jesus, no contest.
England held Portugal (who many consider the best team in last years World Cup) to no goals, with less men and only lost on penalties. They don't suck and their players are very much World Class.
And the USA held the eventual world champion Italy to a draw with less men on the field at the end of the match. Point being? I know they don't suck, and I know they're better than US, but we don't exactly suck either.
He'd be overrated as they tend to overate their players (Wolcott, Rooney, Owen)hed be considered the top young player in the world and when hed play and score in one tournament they would hold heir breath expecting him to do the same w every Intl appearance but get let down (aka Rooney). Plus hed be hurt all the time.