Not sure where to put this thread, so mods please move it as you see fit. After seeing Noonan, Johnson and Dempsey and others get the opportunity to train/trial with foreign teams recently, I'm curious of a couple of things... 1. Who usually initiates these deals? I would expect it to be at the trial/training club's behest? 2. What (MLS, MNT or college) coaches specifically do people feel have the best overseas contacts to try to set up trials and training stints? Just thought it would be interesting if people have any insight. Thanks!
I have nothing to offer but speculation. In some cases, the try-outs (GAM, Dempsey) had to have been laid out months in advance by the agents and the trial club management if/when the perspective trialist warrants serious consideration for the immediate transfer. In other cases, (Noonan or Jamil Walker at Celtic last year), it's a bone thrown to either an agent or a player's coaching staff because there's no realistic chance of the player landing with the club in question and the trial is to judge the player's potential with other lower tiered clubs. Assuming these training sessions are videotaped, doing well against the likes of Chelsea, ManU or Feyenoord rosters could easily propel an unknown into a legitimate tryout with a decent, though lesser side, and be a great start to his Euro career.
Seven degrees of Steve Nicol? You're probably right that the player's agents had a lot to do with instigating the deal. I'm curious how much of a role Steve Nicol played into getting his players set up with these sessions. I bet he still has loads of contacts in the EPL and all over Europe from his playing days.
Mods - This thread might be better off in the YA forum, since there are a couple threads in there that are kind of related. Thanks.