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It makes sense. I want him at everton obviously, but money talks.

 

I want Landon to succeed and become the best he can, but I also want MLS to keep their marquee players.

I don't know what to think.

 

Same here, the other teams in the league will be better off if LA doesn't have Donovan. But the league as a whole is much better off if they can keep Donovan and he stays as a 'star' in the U.S. that helps draw attention.

However, if he does go to Man City, I expect a lot of games on ESPN this fall/winter/spring and get press on ESPN (after all, they've invested in the World Cup and EPL, it would only make sense to try and build on it).

But the other side of the coin is that non-soccer fans that watched the World Cup will just lambaste the league for not being able to keep it's biggest American star in their eyes.

Sykotyk

 

Sorry, when one of the biggest money teams comes cat calling for a player in MLS you swallow your pride, dreams, loyalty or whatever and sidestep for that player to move forward. Landon to Everton is a sentimental dream that all of us who love watching movies with happy, feel good endings, would love to see. Everton do not have the cash to compete with Manchester City and if they truly want Donovan they will get him on the power of cash alone. The sweetheart deals they can offer MLS will make the owners shat their pants in glee and they will literally be pushing Donovan out the door.

The only saving face I can see happening is Landon accepting a higher salary at Everton, but not by much, while they plunk down bills for him on the transfer fee. Manchester City can increase his pay by doubling, maybe even by three times, as much as he makes now and still pay whatever transfer fee MLS wants. It is a nice position to be in regardless of who they are, where they want to be, etc.

 

But City are pretty stacked at Midfield (and forward especially). I worry about playing time.

 

Landon Donovan said he would only play for Everton if he went back to England.

 

It's a nice thing to say, but it's ultimately meaningless.

If Man City or someone else comes in with a mega offer, and Everton don't offer (which is entirely possible) or have a vastly inferior offer (which is likely), what is MLS/Donovan supposed to do? "Sure, we'll take millions less because you had a nice 3 month stay there once."

 

Go, please go.

 

I would rather him go to Everton, for loyalty reasons.

 

I'd prefer to see him with Everton, tbh. I think he'd contribute more--at Man City he might play, but he'd be nowhere near a top player and would likely go unnoticed after a while. At Everton he fits in perfectly, plus they've got Howard.

Donovan to Everton could be, in a way, better for American soccer than him staying with the Galaxy. If an American went to a club as respectable as Everton and really performed at a high level, it would show that MLS could truly develop elite talent, which would ultimately make it more attractive as a destination for younger talents and for clubs looking for a place to develop up-and-coming players. Simultaneously, Donovan and Howard playing together would instantly give the average American something to latch onto and root for--once you have Americans invested in club play, it will be easier to get them into both club soccer in general and also the MLS.

Donovan on Man City on the other hand feels like a waste--he'd get paid, but it would likely be the end of "Landon Donovan, top player" as Man City's array of stars overshadowed him completely. Can't see it sustaining the American interest in the game.

 

It's not meaningless for Donovan, he's not a typical person. Ultimately I think he would refuse City but MLS obviously wouldn't take a lowball offer from Everton if City offered them that much.

Meaning Donovan would stay with the Galaxy, how much do you want to bet that's what he would do? If him and Bianca are busy making up I almost feel like he would turn down the offer to stay with his smoochie boochies. That's what he's done his whole career, can't see him changing now.

 

if MAN CITY want him then its almost guaranteed that some other respectable everton-ish team in england spain or italy has to be the least bit interested..playing time would be a huge issue and nothing guarantees the coach will like him just as much as the owner will

and man city can pretty much buy anyone(no disprespect to landon) but there are better players out there...man city can only wait for so long

 

You can discuss this in Yanks Abroad forum,

https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=41

thanks