Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim Wow, that's awesome. The article says they won't return to residency, but I wonder what that means for the U-17 World Cup.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim They were both question marks to begin with. Renken due to concerns regarding the recovery from his injury, and Gyau because he left residency a while ago. "During their first year, they will be permitted to split time between Germany and Vancouver, where they will attend school and be trained to prepare for a full-time adjustment to Germany the following year." Vancouver? Does Hoffenheim have some sort of academy in Vancouver? Who will they be training with while they're there?
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim Vancouver is almost as far away from the East Coast as is Hoffenheim, and it is still in a foreign country. I'm not sure that aspect makes any sense.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim It's clearly because of the relationship between the directors of the Vancouver academy and the Hoffenheim academy as mentioned in the article. "Thomas Niendorf, who runs Vancouver's academy, has worked in Germany with Hoffenheim's academy director, Ernst Tanner." Presumably that relationship will give them consistency in training methods and expectations as they switch from place to place.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim "During their first year, they will be permitted to split time between Germany and Vancouver, where they will attend school and be trained to prepare for a full-time adjustment to Germany the following year." Why Vancouver ?
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim Here's what we've been waiting for. Lletget, Gil, now Gyau and Renken. And it's only the beginning. The Vancouver link is a bit odd. If anybody is an expert on the Whitecaps setup, it would be great if they could chime in. I know that they have working relationships with a number of German clubs and part of their academy experience often includes loans overseas to Germany. I'm not entirely sure of the details though. With this Vancouver/Hoffenheim link and the Agbossoumonde deal with Miami FC/Traffic Sports/Desportivo Brasil (Dominguez, too), it seems that these weird 3rd party deals are in vogue these days.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim As long as they "stay American" this sounds like a great move. Also it would be nice if Hoffenheim can stay in Bundesliga 1 the entire time.
I know a player's agent is supposed to talk them and their situation up, but there is no evidence that would lead anyone to refer to Hoffenheim as anything resembling a club in possession of one of the world's great youth setups. Maybe they will get there, but they haven't really produced anyone of note yet.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim I'm not worried about Renken in that regard. His other option is Zambia, which isn't exactly a soccer power. Gyau I do worry about. His father actually played for Ghana....plus (if you believe message board gossip) there's been tension between the Gyau's and the U17 coaching staff. It'll be really interesting to see if Gyau will be called into the u17WC squad.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim I like the style that Hoffenheim play. This is only coming from one game vs Bayern but they looked good.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim I've been saying for a while that none of our current crop of U17 stars will go to MLS. I'm sure we'll hear about others shortly. I think these 3rd party deals are due to the gap US youth players have between their residency and when they are capable of moving to Europe (due to child labor laws). If you aren't going to be in MLS.......then you've got to get your training somewhere. I admittedly don't know the whole deal with child labor laws. It seems like clubs always find a way.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim I hate to say this but this just feels like just half the story here.
Money. The have loads of money to buy, sell, and produce some good players. For the foreseeable future they will be in the Bundesliga, probably in the top 8, baring a total collapse. It may have been a little far fetched to say Hoffenheim has a world renowned academy but the club because of it's money has, from what I've read, have invested heavily and have made the resources (coaching, school, and facilities) to become successful. It think it's a matter of time. I think this is a positive move for both Gyau and Renken. Hoffenheim are progressive and showing signs of all up and coming club and the boys (hopefully) will be part of that rise. Vedad Ibišević, a honorary YA, assuming he isn't sold, can help them settle and learn how to handle the bumps in road since Vedad's certainly had a winding road. The agreement with Vancouver is going to help them as well. From what I know Vancouver has a wonderful academy that is/has developed some talent. It rivals Bradenton but Bradenton has a slight advantage historically. But Vancouver is a little more receptive to players leaving to play professionally. But that's the difference between a club academy and national academy.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim Hmmm....don't know what to think about the move. Would've loved to have seen Renken go to Ajax....oh well time will tell I guess but for now I'm underwhelmed.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim These are the two rumored issues Gyau and Renken with Bradenton. Gyau had a falling out with Wilmer and left Bradenton Renken, some thought he was rushed back from injury and was hurt in a meaningless game. It doesn't say but it looks like the door maybe closed for the U17 WC. I would think you would commit after the WC to showcase your talent. If that option is closed, you move on. Too much drama in this cycle
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim After the latest story I saw catching up with the 2003 U17 WC team it might not be such a bad idea that they arent in the squad i think only about 4 guys from that years team made it... good news tho for these kids development
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim Yeah, both were question marks for the U17 WC in the first place. Actually, if Renken isn't fit.........that's how Gyau's gonna get the call. I don't know what to believe about the Gyau situation (I don't necessarily believe all of the message board crap). But if Wilmer didn't think he fit into his squad......then so be it. I don't want these coaching staffs (U17, U20) making decisions on player selection based on a guy's national team status.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim I figured that story would be a bit depressing for some US fans. Looking through some of the names there, not too many of them ended up making it as professional players. Actually, a startling number of them didn't make it, and those are supposed to be the 'best' of that age group and forming a team. Hopefully it works out for those two. One thing that surprised me, however, as that not one Spanish club or Dutch club was named. I would've imagined them going someplace like Amsterdam, etc.
Re: Gyua & Renken at Hoffenheim Don't worry about that ! Can somebody give me and German people informations about the players ? Position, strengths...and so on ! I remember that Hoffenheim was also after another American youngster...I don't know his name.