jri's on some kind of hiatus for whatever reason, but he/she sent me this: http://www.kicker.de/content/news/a...iga=1&saison=2003/04&spieltag=34&gruppe=10338 Kicker's reporting than Reiner Calmund will be in Boston on Wednesday to "work out" Donovan's return to the team in January of 2005. Time will tell, cliche blah blah blah. With this and Casey, please take the Olympic BS to the USA Men forum please.
Boy, this thread is just begging to be a re-hash of the "Should Donovan go to Europe?" threads that have resurfaced a few times around here. Good luck with keeping this one on topic, mods. I have a couple of questions - since I don't read German and have no freakin' clue what the article says. How long was Donovan's original loan deal to MLS supposed to last? How long is Donovan under contract with Leverkusen? Does it say where Leverkusen is looking to play Donovan? My guess is probably not - but based on what we've seen from Landon with the US and Quakes in recent weeks, I hope they're looking for him to play in the midfield.
Donovan returning to Bayer in January is the status quo of his current contract. If no changes are made, that is what is to be expected. Changes are always possible, of course. Translation of the two Donovan-related sentences in the article: On this Tuesday Calmund will travel to Boston, in order to work out the return of Landon Donovan by January 2005. The US international, on loan to the San Jose Earthquakes, was the American footballer of the year for the last two years.
Keep in mind that the dynamic at Leverkusen is changing. Kaenzig is gone to Hannover 96, and he was the main person MLS dealt with. Calmund may have a much different view of what should be done with Landon.
Well I wish him the best if its true, but then we've all heard about his "imminent return" before. His loan is over after this year, right? If so, this would be a good time to get into the mix, with so many other Americans going to Europe.
I think Donovan is a really good player in MLS and his loan here helped him tremendously, but I think in order to reach the next level he should go back to Germany and play against the top players in Europe and in the Bundesliga. It will benefit the USMNT and him as a player. best of luck to him, I see DMB going over to Europe soon too.
I heard Mainz was going to pick LD up as cover for Casey. And that Clive Charles is in the running for the gaffer spot. But I think it's all rumour.
Found another site reporting this as well: www.bayer04fans.com Says they will draw the contract option and that Landon will return to Leverkusen on the winter break. And that it is the express desire of Coach Klaus Augenthaler.
As I understand it, Donovan's loan is up at the end of the season and Leverkusen still holds his contract, so he has no choice but to go to Germany. If I'm wrong, please correct me.
Well he technically has a choice... but if he doesn't go back he won't be playing for any FIFA sanctioned league But basically you are correct... if they call him back, there isn't anything he can do.
Maybee they are in town to talk about the all star game? http://www.msgnetwork.com/content_n...icle&sports=soccer&team=MetroStars&league=mls
If there is a new coach at BL and said new coach actively wants Landon to be a part of his team, I bet that will greatly impact Landon's desire to go back to BL. I think Landon's biggest fear is going someplace and sitting. If the coach comes a courtin' that's got to go a ways to assuage Landon's concern. Here's a guess that Landon has another strong game vs. Honduras manana.
When Donovan left Bayer on loan a few years back, they were known as a player warehouse and he stood little chance of getting into the first team. Now that Augenthaler is looking to build for next year, he'll naturually look internally for options before looking elsewhere. I'd not be surprised if Augie wants him earlier than January.
Isn't there a clause in Landon's loan deal that specifies that MLS is owed $ should Leverkusen take him back before the loan is finished? If so, I would be surprised to see cash strapped Leverkusen shelling out dough for a player when they get him back for free several months later.
It is time. I have now seen him from the front few rows twice this year, and he has broken through the wall to a new level of play. We have two more years before the best chance at a World Cup yet, and it will be the last time he can play with Reyna. He should go and play in the Champions League. He should go to get more experience in the more physical play that most other countries, and the World Cup, allow.
If he's good enough to play, he won't be doing any sitting. Donovan needs to go back and finish what he started...
No-no. Landon's biggest fear is Dema Kovalenko getting near his legs! I hope Leverkusen are interested in bringing him back into the squad. Coming in mid-season will make it hard for him to be a starter without injury or loss of form for whomever (Basturk looks like he's on his way out, for example). But that's not to say it couldn't be done. And some pressure to be at his best if he wants even a chance to play would do the boy good. Let's face it, unless he's injured he's going to start at San Jose no matter how aweful his form gets.
his loan finishes at the end of the MLS season. You can also bet the house that other major clubs are also interested in Donovan's services. Not too many attacking midfielders floating around with his skill-set. My bet is that he either gets sold in the Summer for around 7 - 9 Mill, or ends his loan with MLS and returns to Leverkusen in the Winter.