So did we ever find out if he was an 89 or 90? http://www.stlsoccer.net/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=31 Look at the question I posted on his forum.......
Sure, but he didn't just get "interest from a top flight Euroclub" did he? OK, so let's ignore that post-Arsenal he was first injured and then out of favor with his manager, if that moves the goalposts. The indication that Karbassiyoon may have been a bigger talent than many of the U.S. 84s being selected for ODB and youth international teams and signed by MLS wasn't simply that Arsenal saw him, or signed him-- it's what he did once he was in Arsenal's system. Which, despite the subsequent logic that being dropped by Arsenal and then becoming injured has made him a Eurofailure, was quite impressive: Within a year of moving to London, he forced his way into the reserves first XI and Carling Cup squad on one of the deepest European teams in recent memory, scoring a goal for the first team in the process. He was regularly selected and played alongside: Fabregas, van Persie, Senderos, Pennant, Clichy, Hoyte, Djourou, Flamini, Almunia, Larsson, Lupoli, Taylor, Owusu-Abeyie, Ryan Smith. That was the company that he and Simek kept-- the above was the typical reserves/Carling roster of 04-05. That doesn't put him on Fabregas' level by association, but it should indicate that he was a pretty good player. One who, at the time, was keeping Kerrea Gilbert out of the above group. He did this in about the same amount of time than Nguyen and Bradley have been overseas-- and while learning a new position. This kid made the absolute most of his chance and time at Arsenal and then got some bad luck and I find it disheartening that he continues to get blasted on these forums. That he didn't pan out at Arsenal doesn't mean that he failed, and if you're asking for "incandescent talent" from any 20-yo U.S. player you're asking a lot, but I can't imagine that not pegging the potential of a 20-yo American good enough to move overseas and almost immediately compete in that company at that club, to make a first team debut for them at that age and score, should be something for U.S. scouting system to hang its hat on and point to as anything but a misstep. edit: sorry to prattle on, it's just a bit bizarre that this kid get labeled a failure for...what again? For appearing and scoring for Arsenal's first team w/in a year of joining the club and then getting injured while trying to establish himself as a CCC starter? The shame!
I tend to think that Danny K (and others) get labeled a "failure" becaue they didn't live up to the wishes and dreams of some fans. Sidenote: Failing at a club does not make one a failure. I agree with you, Danny is not a failure. He's not a starter in the EPL, but he's not a failure either. No matter what the situation, he's too young for that title (if it can ever really be applied to an athlete).
One other Yank Abroad shouldn't be forgotten here.... Manny Lagos briefly played in Spain (in D2 of course). IIRC the team was Lerida. Also re: the discussion about what Tab might have done for a promoted Betis, if he hadn't gotten his skull cracked....Can we imagine what would have happened to Claudio if he'd had the nerve to accept Cruyff's offer to go to Barca after the Olympics instead of opting for UVA....
I doubt things would have been very different. Claudio is now very similar to the player he has always been: skilled, cautious, possession player. I read an interview where his father, who was a professional player, always yelled at him to shoot more. It is not like he has not heard that from every coach since he was 12!
I didn't say Danny K was/is a failure. Let's keep it simple. People are bashing the talent identification system for missing Manzonelli just like people bashed it for missing Karbassiyoon. But for all we know, in a few years, Manzonelli, like Danny K., won't be good enough for Burnley. So let's chill on the criticism.
He wants to play for USMNT. But has never been contacted by the USSF. http://www.stlsoccer.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3239&sid=6b3baabdc322a7f890bf7fff4c6364d0
Ah, say no more. Explains not being in ODP. At the younger ages, it's probably harder to make the State ODP squad as a December birthday than it is to make a National team as a January birthday.
Presumably another Bigsoccer poster wrote him something: Manzo: http://www.stlsoccer.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3281
Not necessarlly. That seems to be more of an English thing,back from when I had more time to peruse individual clubsites.
my thing is they have an under 8, under 10, etc sides on their site... and nothign mentions Manzonelli...
The reason that Manzonelli isn't on the Villarreal website is because they haven't updated the academys webpages from last year. All of those kids have either moved up, moved on and plenty of new kids have been added. They update the 1st teams pages all of the time but not the academy.