The Odyssey continues: Erik Palmer-Brown at Panathinaikos

Good Luck to him. He is chasing the dream and has been fighting all the while. Has this team produced any notable players recently? Or better yet, are there any other younger players he is presently playing with who are trying to make their statement for higher leagues? Only asking because as a defender, you can't put out fires by yourself all game long and hope for success all game every game.

 

The thing that I think some folks under-value about being a Man City or Chelski or PSG even Ajax/PSV or other "name brand" club signing, even if you never make the first team (well, maybe not so much with Ajax/PSV) is if you can get your club to push you, you can get much more attention than some "starlet" coming up through Wein's or Breda's system.

He's basically taking a similar route to many young US hopefuls, but with a support system (and salary) that can leverage any success more effectively if used properly. Even the agents have more incentive to keep a guy on Citeh money happy versus some academy kid they're hoping to get his first decent money transfer.

I think, in most cases, the idea that being on the books (and salary) of a big club - even if you're a perpetual loanee - is a hindrance isn't very well supported.

 

I honestly don’t know why they haven’t tried it. Unless they have in training and not been impressed. The only possible reason I can think of is that none of his coaches since then have been aware of his (relatively good) stint at CDM and he’s never mentioned it because he thinks of himself as a centerback.

Sometimes players can be held back by having very strong opinions of where they must play on the field. Like when Michael Bradley was convinced he was a defensive midfielder.

 

Any reviews for his performances?

 

Wein in 7th, but still a bunch of points out the important 6th slot.

 

We in 7th.

 

the "dramatic Weiner derby" ended 2-2. FKAW got out to fast 2-0 lead, but could only hold on for the tie.

 

Match ends in a 1-1 tie vs. 4th place Wolfsberger who's a good side (1-1 tie vs. Roma in Europa league on 12/2) and played a strong match vs. Gladbach recently too.

 

Apparently he got the assist.

 

I admit often wonder if the big clubs sell the smaller clubs and the fans that image. They have huge capital and can afford to buy random talent all over the place and then place them on loans all over the continent (or in MLS or Asia. Consequently they have five times as many players and the resources to ship out quality over quantity, yes they will have some top players develop and get the “brand” start but i would think that could also be more about their sheer numbers and brand than actual development.

That said, from a players perspective the salary would likely be higher as long as you don’t mind moving from city to city as a soccer nomad while on loan. As a young player, that is likely no big deal. If the players is married or has a family it becomes a different sort of consideration.

I think either system could have merits.

 

Except we've seen so many soccer nomads who aren't carrying the "big club salary" with them.

Much easier/less stressful to be a short contract player when you have a guaranteed nice fat salary whether you're at Gers, Wein, Vitesse, Reading or Nantes or back in the EPL.

And if you're on a 1 with option contract and have a "meh" season or 1/2 season - like MM in Nantes - you're scrambling to find a place to play (Beerholder seemed to do this every 2nd season, signing in August at 1860 or Palace as we fans white-knuckled it to the transfer window date.) If, on the other hand, as a loanee you have a great season - you still have the option of mother-ship or an even better loan.

I just don't see the downside unless the club gets so busy with worrying about league and UEFAs they forget to get you a deal. But a decent agent should be working that anyway.

Seems the biggest possible downside is you catch the eye of a small club in a big league that would really play you, but only if they can own your contract, and while you want to leave your overlords at Chelsea or City or wherever aren't willing to let you go for the pittance they want to pay.

 

From what I'm hearing is that Jason Kreis will be on-hand to watch Erik tomorrow vs. Jesse Marsch's Red Bull Salzburg squad.

Austria Vienna doesn't seem interested in releasing him but that maybe what Kreis will be there for. I don't know the why's.. all I know is that Jason is scheduled to be there.

 

Why’s cause it’s a free trip to Austria disguised as doing his job

 

Kreis also has a real job. He could be scouting him for Miami. Miami has money.
As for playing in an Olympics, besides the cool factor, and it is quite cool, how does it advance his career? Get him a contract with a big club? He has that. Get him a fresh evaluation? He's evaluated constantly in the CFG setup. Raise his profile? Who at this point doesn't know him? Raise his sell price so city can make more money selling him on? That might happen, but what's the point to him of being taken out of the price range of clubs for whom he can play, right now.
This contract was a a good risk for him. He knew ever being seriously considered for ManCity was a longshot. But these were his development years and good for him. But after June 2022, his next contract matters, a lot. He will want the most cash possible, but he will also want at least a home for more than six months, the chance to bed in someplace. I don't see AW having the money to buy him before he's on a free. RB S might, though.

 

how's his season looking so far?

 

Andddd potentially ends the Jesse marsch era in Europe.

 

Pretty well, you'd have to say. Out of 20 league games, he was ineligible (WP issues) or suspended for 3. From the other 17, he was subbed out injured at the half in one and was benched for the next 2. He's started and gone 90' in the other 14.

The question is context. Austria Wien are probably a better team than NAC Breda - they're certainly not a lesser side - but, Salzburg apart, the Austrian BL is a much weaker league than the Eredivisie. He definitely isn't regressing, but his progress has to be set against the fact that he's not facing the likes of Twente, Vitesse or Utrecht very often and only the games against Salzburg would be on the same level as Ajax and PSV.

The issue is what comes after July. His loan includes an option to buy, but I doubt Wien could afford 100% of his wages. He's 23 in 2 months, and on this season's showing he's going to establish himself as a pro player, but the jury is still out on whether that'll be at a level equal to MLS. Like @mschofield, I think he was right to take the Citeh deal, but where he goes next season and how he performs there will have a massive bearing on where he winds up after 2022

 

Was that a shout out to Kobe after the goal?