Michael Bradley - update 8/30 9:30 ET: 2 year deal with club option at Chievo?

Ferrari plays for Chicago Fire now.

Edit: my vote is "When Donkeys Fly"

 

Really? Darn. At least he'll be in a FIFA game for once We've got that new 93 at Empoli to make up for him at least.

I vote for the flying donkeys one as well.

 

An Italian web site quoted a transfer fee of 2 millions euros -- about $2.9 million -- which would be a coup for Gladbach, considering Bradley would otherwise go free at the end of the season.

http://www.socceramerica.com/article/43550/bradley-poised-to-move-john-returns-home.html

That's the first monetary reference I've seen.

Not sure I agree that 2 million euros is a "coup" for Gladbach, in that they seemed to have been holding out for more than 3 million euros. The nearly completed Villa deal and the reported Russian offer were for more. Gladbach's position seems to have weakened as the transfer deadline approached, which is entirely logical given all their quotes of wanting MB to move, and the fact that he wasn't even in the 18-man game day rosters the first 4 weeks.

However, given how they shot themselves in the bargaining foot, getting 2 million and out from under MB's wages is still a positive.

 

He will be replacing a player named Kevin Constant who impressed last year as a box-to-box midfielder and transferred to Genoa whom are seen as a sort of feeder club to Milan and Inter in recent years. So he should see significant playing time as a box-to-box mid. Italy isn't great at producing these types of players, most are either Gattuso's or Pirlo's meaning purely creative or purely defensive. So we could see one of two scenarios:

• He may not play for lack of "specialization" in one area or another.
• He may be a revelation ala De Rossi @ Roma or Kevin Prince Boateng @ Milan, players who tactically ruin the plans of rival managers with their versality

Good move for him, I wish him well especially when facing Inter.

 

Gotta go with "When donkeys fly: Michael Bradley at Chievo."

Congratulations, Michael!

 

It should be noted that Constant was heavily linked to Milan last summer too. Chievo can definitely be a stepping stone to bigger things.

 

Given Chievo's overall payroll, you have to think they expect the second option. For them, Bradley represents a good chunk of change. They are going to expect him to be a significant contributor on the team. Overall I think this is great for Bradley, as he should be able to solidify a starting spot and work in a league where discipline is a priority.

 

Thanks for the info. What formation do they normally play? Will he be playing next to another box to box midfielder, or do they play a midfield 3? I personally think his ideal role is as a box to box in a midfield 3 with a specialized DM and AM. Not that he can't do well in other roles, but I think that masks his weaknesses and plays to his strengths the most.

 

Have to go with donkeys. Need to make the most out of this opportunity.

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

How about "Michael Bradley still sucks, but he is at Chievo"

 

Who needs Mexicans when we have American fans trolling our own threads.

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

"When donkeys fly" is sort of a favorite go to line in my family,so yeah,that one.

 

To paraphrase Bob Knight - It's inevitable, might as well sit back and enjoy it.

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

No worries but I believe I suggested this first. It may have gotten lost in the arguments about Bradley.

I have to vote for "When Donkeys Fly" for the first thread title anyway.

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

Or maybe "Bradley to another top European league, Nepotism? Media Conspiracy? Masonic Plot?"

It sounds like Bradley's team did a great job negotiating. By holding out as long as they did, they drove down the transfer price down enough to get to a team in a attractive city in a good league where he'll likley get a good amount of playing time.

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

No apology needed. I'm sure we'll need 'em all at some point.

I do enjoy how your post makes it look like we're both pulling for the Bradley sucks title!

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

I am tea-party resolute. I will accept defeat as long as I still have my core beliefs.

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

Yep, Bradley gets the last laugh.
I predict BM will not win another game this year (its the Bradley curse )

 

Bunga has hated Bradley ever since Bob put him in over Bunga in their rec league game as kids. He's never recovered from all those years ago.

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

Fine. Piss on you Bradley lover.

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

"More literary references might help class up the joint," he remarked, adjusting his monocle before putting on his top hat.

 

Re: Michael Bradley - Aston la Villa baby![R] update 8/26 noon ET: starting to look like Chievo

We already have a Shakespeare reference in the Jozy thread; I think this one will have to be the donkeys one.

 

At least now I don't have to mumble his teams name when I make a reference like I used to.