Sorry if this is a duplicate thread. But no appearances in a while, and Dugarry purchased, doesnt bode well for his future, especially if Birmingham stay up. I'm sure his wages, even as a backup, are much better than he could earn in MLS, but does anyone know if he is still shunning a move back stateside? I think he's like 26 or 27 now, and I'd love to see him MLS, even if it's just as springboard back overseas. The timing is perfect with MLS about to start. Anyone know/think Birmingham would let him go on a free? If I were an MLS GM, I wouldnt give him the maximum as a base, but I would with incentives. Speculation anyone? James
I don't really know. I've been wondering the same thing myself. Was he even on the bench today? I don't know that he's ever given any indication that he would like to come back stateside. IIRC, he recently married a European woman. Might that also keep him abroad (not to mention the $)?
Well hopefully if she gets pregnant they'll be back stateside for the birthing Jovan has had many chances to come back to MLS, not so sure why this time would be any different than the other ones. He's on premiership wages, and even bottom of the table EPL teams can easily afford 3 x MLS's max salary. I'd say the guy realizes that he's a fringe nat, and he's trying to cash in as much as possible before his career is over. I would expect him to exhaust all possibilities until around 30 or so, and then try and come back to MLS.
I would wager that MLS would not give him an acceptable release clause so he has chosen to be a bench player for other clubs. He should look at Scotland for the opportunity. If not there, Belgium.
Jovan's all about the money so I'm not sure if I see him in Scotland or Belgium. Perhaps with Rangers or Celtic, but they'd have to be interested first....
Rangers...maybe. Celtic...no way. I was thinking more of a Dundee, Hibs, Dunfermeline. A place where he would be a no-brainer first choice player, and would showcase his skills. You are right about his money choices, and I don't think I could argue with his decisions. But, if he was looking for a place to put up some big numbers.....Scotland.
Why not Celtic? They like taking premiereship rejects like Hartson, don't they? How much could Dundee, Hibs or Dunfermeline pay Jovan?
Yeah, but if the little rascal grows up abroad, that increases the possibility that he could play for other countries.
Hartson scored some 20+ goals in the EPL at least once, and has proven he can do that in EPL. I'm sure they could pay him better than MLS.
So what are the odds of Jovan's kick-ass jersey collection ending up on eBay some day? It's one thing going over to Europe and paying your dues when there is no MLS. It's understandable making a trek over there to test the waters when MLS is still young and developing. But when you constantly choose money and a spot on the bench for big-name clubs in big-name leagues when you can make your mark in the U.S., albeit for less money, I have absolutely no sympathy. Maybe he knows he'd be exposed as less than the hype playing week in and week out in MLS.
Fully agree about that. Kirovski, by this logic, should've made the move to MLS a season or two ago. But then again, maybe he could have been a more dominant player in MLS if he had made the move by now-- surely he can't be making substantially more money (of the hand-over-fist variety) than he's making at Birmingham City, or was at Crystal Palace... that's something we can speculate about. So from a complete standpoint, Kirovski has missed the boat in the past. Hopefully he can get back on the starboard side before the ship docks from the port once again.
If I were Kirovski, I'd find it hard to turn down the money, too. Can't really blame him. Shame his career never exploded, but I think athletically he is limited, and his skills have never been world class. Therefore, I think he has done about as well as could be expected.
I heard he was making about £5K a week for CP net, after taxes. With Birmingham he's probably close to £10K a week, after taxes. I really think he likes living in Europe, the lifestyle, the culture and when speaking to MLS they wouldn't give him any out clauses to return. As Mario said, I think he's done well for himself and that's great for him. When he's 30, he can come back to MLS and replace Ruiz in LA.
I have a hard time believing that Kirovski will ever swallow his pride and come home. Which is fine, thats his decision, and hes seeing his Nats future slip away, maybe hes ok with that. If he is, then more power to him making all the money he can before he loses his talent of sitting on the bench.
My previous post was deleated I know the truth hurts ! to put it nicely, Kirovski has been and will always go where the money is, no matter if he gets to play on the first team or not. he is willing to sit on the bench or worst play with reserve teams as long as he gets a fat paycheck.
I think one important reason not to return to MLS is how hard they make it for clubs in other leagues to purchase players. And how MLS treats players that didn't make MLS their first choice. Case in point, how they dealt with Taylor Twellman, when he decided to sign. That's not giving other players much encouragement to sign.
Most posters in this thread seem to have completely discounted the idea that JK may be perfectly happy to be paid insanely well for not doing much of anything---*and that that's okay*. He's under no obligation to anyone, least of all us, to push himself to be something he doesn't want, so if he wants to make a pile of money for practicing soccer all week and then watching good games on the weekend...man, that sounds like a pretty good few years to me. Leave the guy alone.
Well - it only took until halfway though Page 2 for an intelligent post. I'd add that, before the season, the consensus was that JK was well-paired with Steve Bruce, had a good opportunity to get PT and prove himself in the EPL. In addition, he has had some opportunities with Birmingham and may get more, though it looks less likely with Dugarry's signing. I think it's pretty hard to argue that the move to BCFC was so atrocious as it's being made out here.
Exactly. It was a good move by JoKi, as he will never have a better chance, at least on paper, to establish himself as a regular on a side in one of the World's biggest leagues. It was worth the risk and commend JoKi for trying (though of course his salary is reward enough for his efforts). Bottom line is that it was a reasonable risk to take (especially given that he could have resigned and rode pine in Division 1) even if in hindsight it wasn't productive as some had hoped. And BS is the king of hindsight!
nobodys really mentioned that JK has played pretty darn well when he gets the chance, but never seems to become 'the guy' - he scored 20-something goals his last year with man u reserves, performed well for palace when they were near the top of D1 (they also had morrison and facey i believe) and has two winners this season despite getting spare minutes - has anybody else on birmingham struck 2 match winners? truth is, he should probably be playin more and this isnt the first time hes gotten a raw deal when it comes to PT (especially considering his outstanding free kick and corner taking skills) and no dugarry hasnt scored yet but he is really more of a wing setup guy and would be better suited to play with a better team - hes not gonna rescue anybody singlehandedly - morisson on the other hand has been wretched this year, stern john should play ahead of him
I'm not saying that the move to BCFC wasnt a good move, in fact, I was happy to have another US non GK in the EPL. However, he might actually have a better national team future if he were in MLS. He could also possibly help out some of our younger players. I'm not saying he is "obligated" to do this. Just wishful thinking. The guy is so hyped, but I've barely been able to see him play. I can't blame him for taking the money, but then again, there are things more important than money. Ask Landon Donovan. ) James