Huh? No, but he was hurt pretty much right after signing there, and had has never really been healthy since joining the team. He sure as hell isn't fetching 30m now or anytime soon, if ever. That was my main disagreement, along with the idea that Bradley couldn't have gotten much playing time had he stayed. Anyway, it does seem like the move back to MLS has had an adverse effect on Bradley, but maybe he inconsistent performances for the United States aren't as linked to the move as some would like to think.
It's pretty decent advice to almost literally every player who is not already German, Italian, Spanish, Argentine or Brazilian. It has certainly worked out for one or two... (I'd add in Ligue 1 and Bund 2...)
IIRC, Bradley injured his foot just prior to WC 2014, and required surgery afterwards. I don't recall how serious the injury was, but I do know he played through it during the 2014 WC, and he didn't seem himself. IMHO, he hasn't been the same player after that WC/surgery anymore, which is a real shame.
Should of made the move when he was linked to Benfica he was only 25 or 26 Could of turned out special I can't see him making it at Benfica nowadays as they have lots of money and are very stable Only advantage of a move ever would happen is the fact he is American and that would bring lots of interest But PT clubs always get the best out of players
Mrs. Bradley is of the opinion that $30 guaranteed million was far better than their family could ever hope for, given the limited performance potential of their chief bread winner.
By the way, Michael is the 8th best rated MLS player and the 3rd best American (after Zardes and Hollingshead, which makes him a better MLS player now than in the past). His WhoScored rating has been steadily climbing in his second stint in MLS - 7.03; 7.18; 7.32.
I believe Michael had a nerve injury in his right(?) foot. This lead to him having a heavier touch and required surgery. It certainly seems like his touch is still off, but only in bigger games and on the simplest of passes, so maybe that can be attributed to his injury and a mix of nervousness.
MLS also lets everyone have all the time in the world to pick a pass so he doesn't get happy feet. Once he's playing for the US and he sees a little press, it's over for him.
That's true but, in MLS, he competes against similar style teams and similarly positioned players and his stats are better this year than in both 2014 and 2015 both in total and the relative terms.
This is exactly it. Say whatever you want after the transfer is finalized, but Bradley would have fought for his position at Roma or elsewhere in Europe if Toronto hadn't offered him such a lucrative contract. When MLS teams offer guys like Bradley, Dempsey and Altidore so much more than they'd make in Europe, they're almost always going to take the money and live in their home country. It might be hard for many big soccer posters to understand but these guys consider a lot more than what will put them in the best possible position with the National Team when considering where to live, work, raise a family, etc...
This is something that I'd like to see Klinsmann push more for some of the MLS guys. He was big on it early, when he first took over the usmnt. Bradley and Altidore should be trying to get some good competitive playing time on loan deals, assuming they're healthy at the end of the MLS seasons. I'd love to see that extended to several other MLS players, but top guys like Bradley and Altidore should be especially pushed to do this.
I recall reading a headline noting that the Brazilian player known as Argel, whose last name I cannot recall, is off to Benfica. But that may be an old story, not particularly pertinent to this thread.
Bradley probably needs some time off. We play some damn tournament every summer, and he plays almost all of every match. As one of the few guys in our team playing professionally since he was sixteen, he has a lot of miles on those legs now.
Also when they've been benched Fought for his position on the bench? He'd been firmly judged as and relegated to 'squad player' well before he took the MLS's outrageous offer. I don't find the "live in their home country" argument at all persuasive. Bradley thrived in Europe off the field in an admirable way. I think this is actually true of most of our guys, not just Bradley. They aren't chasing the $$$, despite the appearances. They're chasing playing time. They only came back when their playing time and position in the team were gone. I can't think of a single American who came back to MLS for the money while still starting on a consistent basis for their European team.
This is nonsense. Bradley, Dempsey and Altidore are being paid 2x - 4x times what they were in Europe. Dempsey and Bradley weren't write ins the starting 11 on two of the biggest teams in the world but that doesn't mean they couldn't play 38 games in Serie A or the BPL if they stepped down a club notch. They absolutely could have. It's not like MLS was there only option. How can you say, "They aren't chasing the money" - everything 100% points to them chasing the money. Altidore could have gone somewhere else in Europe too but MLS drove a dump truck full of money up to his house.
Honestly how the heck or why did TfC offer Michael Bradley 6.5 million a year. I could see him being offered half of that but not all. Same with Jozy. 4.5 million? If thats the case why not have dropped 7 milloon a year for a Carlos Bacca or Adrian Ramos. Those guys can score a hell of a lot of goals and get our league high profile and certaintly approachable. Just kinda funny to me that the club went after Jermaine Defoe
Yeah, the older I get, the more understanding I am of athletes who take the guaranteed money over prestige, titles, place on the national team, etc. Averaging, say, $1 million/year for a 10 or 12 year career is certainly good money, but it's probably not "set for life" money, especially once you consider taxes and living costs while you're playing. But a $30 million contract probably is "set for life" money.
Ignoring that Toronto isn't in his home country, remember he is married and has kids. That fact can play into these kinds of decisions as well.
the last time we had a player go on loan over multiple winters, he was so burned out that he took a sabbatical from soccer at 31 and retired at 32. these guys aren't machines. they need time off to rest, to take vacations, to visit family, etc.
It's a long drive to work from his home country, especially if the 403 is jammed. I think they're done construction on the Gardner, so that will help a little. Maybe he got a helicopter like Jurgie! (that said, I think you're probably basically right. weren't his kids born in '12 and '14 or there abouts? I know more than one family that decide to put roots back in North America when the kids came.)
it's kinda hard to even compute how Bradley went from a million a year at Chievo and Roma and then suddenly over 6 million. Dude is like highest paid soccer player ever. Same with Dempsey who 10 years ago was earning like 50 K a year. that's probably like he gets for like training.
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/201...ey-bologna-ac-milan-toronto-fc-fifa-world-cup This news is a week old so surely I am not the first one to post but I hadn't seen anyone talking about it so here it is. Sorry if its old news. Wahl reporting that AC Milan and Bologna are possibly looking to acquire Bradley in Jan. Bologna for a loan and Milan for purchase. Also hints that The Swans will be looking to target some Nats.