Sure. And if I were in his position, I wouldn't even think about it until the end of the season. Fulham has some injury troubles at his position, so until June he can train at a high level, try to force his way onto the field, and collect fat paychecks.
The real dilemma for him is this - is it worth to stick around at Fulham at his vastly inflated EPL wages or take a shot at getting some PT somewhere like Aris and use these games to showcase himself when he is finally out of contract by the summer of 2011? Because no matter where he goes, he won't make his Fulham wages but he could still get a 7-figure gig somewhere in Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal or Turkey (Kenny Miller is alleged to be making $3M/Y net with Bursaspor). On the other hand, if his grown ass is parked at the far end of Fulham's bench, he'd have to trial and/or accept a low ball and/or short deal because he is more or less an unknown commodity. I'd recommend him to leave Fulham ASAP.
Maybe h rides it out, and leaves on a Free to most likely Aris or another interested team in greece? He showed well, and I wouldnt be surprised if he ends up there or even turkey.
One in the hand is worth two in the bush. In this case, EJ is making more in hand than that bush would ever produce. He should leave to get exposure even if it means a pay-cut because it might produce better later? This makes zero sense. EJ should sit tight, make money, and keep trying to get PT with Fulham. Additionally, teams are more likely to pay a higher wage to someone they DON'T have to buy from another club. EJ is in the perfect situation in terms of his contract. IN terms of his PT... not so much. Fighting it out at Fulham or going on loan now will make no difference in his next salary. Thus, there's no financial incentive to move. The argument can be made to move, but I don't think it can be based on finances like SFS suggests.
EJ will be 27 this year. Taking a pay-cut to find another team right now is like telling a 50 year old to go back to school so he can find a better career. No matter what he does he won't be on the same level playing field in the top tier leagues as a cheaper younger option. Right now his number one goal is to make money, as he won't have another big payday anytime soon. He could go ahead and switch to Aris at age 29-30 and he'd still be in the same spot he would be if he did it now. He'd just make more money. You'd be hardpressed to find teams that are going to be willing to take a 30 year old, despite tearing up the Greek League, and pay him what he's making at Fulham.
He did well at Aris, but I don't think "tearing up the Greek league" is quite right. He scored five in sixteen matches per wiki, and my memory is he played many, but not all of their most important games. That's a solid start for a striker, but its not exactly tearing the league up. All of which merely supports your broader point -- that it makes sense for him to stay at Fulham a little longer, fight to get into the first team, and not risk the vagaries of other situations. I agree with that.
I'm not implying his time at Aris was great. But some posters suggest a paycut plus a great performances will land him back in the top half of Europe with better pay. At his age and career arc it won't/
He's got half a year to go on his Fulham deal. What's the difference between what he makes in London or somewhere else over the next five months? Very little. In this case, whatever sacrifice he'd be making in the short term will be a very minor one.
It was probably a bit of both but he should get a free transfer now. Of course, this assumes Fulham will sign someone before the window expires.
I know it makes little sense for any individual to willingly slash their salary especially when it's great amounts of money EJ is earning, even if he's sitting on the bench. But I imagine he wants to show everyone his time in Europe is not a flop. So he should do all that he can to sign with a club, any club and try his best. He may not be PL caliber. No shame in that. Plenty of leagues he can latch on to a club and show his talent.
Well he needs to make a move soon a loan most likely. I doubt QPR are looking at him anymore with their signings recently but you never know. He has improved but not given the great amount of time to show it maybe if he had scored he may of had played more game or given more time.
Nothing for EJ.... well that sucks for the kid. If he's stuck in Fulham for the remainder of the season he better hope for injuries that will get him playing time. Well he got 24hrs to find a move.
In case anyone was still holding out hope that EJ would get any playing time at Fulham, you can now forget about it. Greg Selzer just said on NSC that Fulham are getting Amauri. Find a way out EJ.
I can only think that EJ's just waiting for his contract to expire & be on a free this summer or that a loan/transfer move just never materialized
With only one day left in the window and no reported interest from what I can find, it looks like it's going to have to be a loan. Clubs in League One and Two, maybe even the Championship are allowed to bring players in on loan until a week after the window has closed. It may be his only option but someone has to be interested first. I know his contract is up this summer but I'd really hate for him to spend the last 6 months or so playing in reserve games. Those games are sporadic and IIRC the reserve league ends before the first team season does.
Regardless of Amauri's loan - the latest is that he turned down Genoa and is available - Zamora is supposed to resume light training this week and Gera hasn't gone anywhere yet. This makes for ... eh, a bunch of strikers on Fulham's roster. At this point, for eddie, this is money for nothing.
EJ has suitors in the Championship, according to Seltzer. Unrelated speculation on the Fulham boards have Leeds being interested.
http://www.noshortcorners.com/2011/01/alrighty-then.html From our boy Greg Seltzer: Let the speulation begin!! I'll throw out four names for shits and giggles. I say 2 of 5 between Hull City, Reading, Millwall, Swansea, and QPR. I have no idea though. Just names I threw out. i could actually see Hull. They have problems up front. They have issues putting the ball away. They are sitting 12th but not that far off from the last playoff spot. EJ could probably help them out tremendously.
I don't care who it is as long as the deal goes through and he can play. I hope he goes somewhere where he can start. Cardiff I know he was kinda the joke or whatever but EJ seemed to like his time there IIRC. Plus who can forget this! [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD8j6O0HENc"]YouTube - Eddie Johnson 1st Cardiff City goal[/ame]
TalkSport speculated that Amauri's move could be a permanent one - €8.5M. Of course, a few zigzags later ...