It has been reported in the Chinese press that Berhalter is negotiating with Shanghai Shenhua. I have yet to find an English source, but I did find about 5 Chinese articles on Berhalter's move to China. My Chinese is poor so I am 80% sure what was going on. Plus, each article said something slightly different. This is a brief summary of the situation from what I gather from the Chinese press. Berthalter was recommended to Shanghai by his agent. Shanghai Shenhua still is negotiating with a few players. But only Berthalter fits the type of player Shanghai is looking for. And the negotiation was also smoothest among the candidates. I think his agent is actually in Shanghai, but was not sure. Supposingly, Berthalter is on a free transfer. A deal might be reached tomorrow. However, I think this is only a rumor. Berthalter's agent probably did approach Shanghai Shenhua. Shanghai did look at him in Germany. Some negotiations did take place, but nothing serious. Shanghai Shenhua has been looking at many players. Berthalter's name might disappear before the end of the week.
Im just not buying this one right now. Maybe after the season depending on what happens with Cottbus, but not right now while he and his team are playing so well.
it would be a big step backwards for Berhalter to do this. He will never wear the Nat uniform again if he did this, but why would he go thee. The latest reports on his game were very positive, he is making a name for himself in Germany right now. here is a quote "Berhalter has earned praise in the German media with his play since the winter break and has become the focal point of the Cottbus defense that is central to the club's recent success" http://www.soccertimes.com/americans/2003/feb16.htm
I don't think that it is for now, but for summer. Excape goat mentioned a free transfer, which could never be done with Cottbus earlier, and also the transfer regulations definitely prohibit a third club within one year if you're still in a valid contract.
Why do people use this logic for player moves? Do you really think that Bruce Arena would completely dismiss a player he knows well just because he plays in China? I agree that it would be a highly questionable career move (would they really be paying him more than a relegated Cottbus or MLS would? I'm not that familiar with the Chinese wage structure), but not because Arena and/or future Nats coaches will simply refuse to put a Chinese league player on the field. People used this argument about Wade Barrett's move to Denmark. Arena's going to keep tabs on Barrett no matter where he is, especially if he's playing 90 minutes every game. Look no further than calling Joe Enochs into camp last year as an example. If Berhalter were to go to Shanghai and play as well as he is playing at the moment, he'll get call-ups from China for WCQ matches. He may find that Bocanegra stole his playing time when he gets there, but that's a separate issue.
Nah, not what I meant Olafgb. I cant see Berhalter seriously considering a move to China at the end of the season right now. Negotiating? Yea, but then mainly as bargaining leverage. Lets be honest, there are 3 reasons to go someplace as a soccer player: $$$$, level of play, or you just want to live there. Honestly, I cant see the last two being the case with Shanhai, in fact Id say they are probably negatives that weigh against the $$$$. I admit that the $$$$ could be enough to make the case , but it would have to be a lot more I think over what he gets where he is for him to want to uproot again to play in a weaker league in an unfamiliar city/culture. Now I can see him negotiating with Shanghai now as bargaining leverage, but I cant see him deciding now to go to Shanghai at the end of the season. Which gets back to Cottbus and his play in the BL. If he continues to play well his european payday goes up and his likelihood to stay increases. So as I said, I dont buy this as being a serious possibility right now. His play on the field though could make it more possible. Edits: Im going to get what I want to say out and sounding right the first time one of these days.
Probably the biggest detriment to someone like Berhalter going to China or Barrett going to Denmark is that they don't get as many callups for things like friendlies held in the western hemisphere. Although Berhalter is already in that boat being in Germany. Why does that matter? For someone like Barrett who MAY aspire to eventually land in England, it means that he will be much less unlikely to get called into 75% of US Nats games which would affect his ability to get a work permit. To me, that's the biggest detriment to someone like Barrett going to Denmark or some of the guys that are in France right now.
You know, I think the "Yanks Abroad" forum would be just about empty if it were not for all the contract talks of Berhalter... I've never seen anyone with so many changes...
Why else go? China's league can't possibly be any better than MLS, and the vastly different culture and quality-of-living would have to be viewed as detriments. If he was going to make MLS-level money, he might as well come make it in MLS.
An English source..... http://www.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=133416&cpid=217&title=Shenhua+target+Berhalter It would be alot more than what he earns in Germany. I think it would be in the 7 figure range(US dollars), plus a driver and a servant. I think it was just a small talk between Berhalter's agent and Shanghai. This is what I believed happened. The Shanghai officials were in Germany negoitating with Jorge Albertz. Berthalter's agent tried to sell somebody to Shanghai.... Berthalter's name was threw out. I learned from Gazza's trial in China. Many agents are actually trying to sell every players they had on books to the Chinese. Besides Berthalter, Shanghai Shenhua was looking at Marc Wilmots, but Shanghai discovered today that his injury is career-ending. So the press wanted to talk about something. Berhalter's name happened to surface today.
Berhalter's quality of life in Shanghai would not suffer at all. In fact, it'd probably be a couple of steps up from Cottbus, which is in eastern Germany. Shanghai is a huge metropolis with lots to offer, a great, modern city. As for the quality of play, well...I go to China a few times each year for work, and of the C-League games I've caught on TV, most were rather narcoleptic.
How old is Berhalter? I think his chance of call ups went down after the last WC, younger players are coming up who are better than he is already. Move to Shanghai, load up on cash, and get a butler.
IIRC Berhalter is like 28 or 29. Well, assuming the money is much better than he would get in Europe, is Berhalter married? Does he have any kids? Two factors you have to consider. Honestly its hard to gauge Shenua's relative strength, but their trip to California didnt leave any reasons to believe they are very strong compared to MLS (they lost badly twice, but the San Jose game at least featured well understrength squads on both sides).
Not since Steve Perry has the US seen a bigger Journey Man. We have Vanney, Boca, Gooch, Barrett, maybe Grbandi, maybe Run-DMB. If money's more important than helping the nats, then bruce can easily find a replacement for a guy who'll be pushing 33 come WC2k6.
I think that for a potential seven-figure salary, I could battle my way through a season of narcoleptic matches.
A few phrases I want to add... "we have a veritable plethora of talent at the back, and old Greg won't be on the depth charts". "This ain't your grand-dad's US National team" and doesn't Jovan K compete for the Neil Schon roll. Don't forget Ian Feuer - he could be the bass player guy Ross.... something or other. I feel old knowing those names, but rest assured Mr Berhalter probably knows them as well.
Re: Re: Berhalter to Shanghai? If Berhalter is Steve Perry, does that mean Bocanegra is Steve Augeri?
Re: Re: Re: Berhalter to Shanghai? I don't know who that is, but probably yes. Also I'm going to demand you get a red card for that avatar. that is way over the top, freak scared me
quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by entropy Berhalter's quality of life in Shanghai would not suffer at all. In fact, it'd probably be a couple of steps up from Cottbus, which is in eastern Germany. Shanghai is a huge metropolis with lots to offer, a great, modern city. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I totally agree with that. Would you move to Shanghai, HannoverGirl?