Here's a link to Bobby Convey's statement on the US Soccer Player's website. Convey is captain of the US U-20 team going to Dubai. He mentions that Pleat was the one who really wanted him, and that there's a very real possibility that Spurs will be following up their initial interest. Part I http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/latest_soccer_news/396138.html Part II http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/latest_soccer_news/396371.html -Digital
I wouldn't rule it out. We also have a space on left midfield which Convey can play and he could well be signed in the summer, although I suppose it's largely dependent on the managerial situation by that point. The only other thing is that it seemed pretty clear at the time that Hoddle was the one who really wanted the transfer. Hodd was the one who was watching DC United, played in an exhibition game against Convey and was making all the quotes before and after the Work Permit. Pleat was conspicuously absent throughout the entire thing, which is very strange as his public support would have been invaluable in convincing the Home Office.
Maybe you're right sendorange, but please help me understand. I don't read as much as you do in the English papers, so what about everyone else? We brought in Zamora, and as I recall Hoddle was hot on his trail for a very long time. When we brought in Postiga, as I recall, it was also Hoddle who voiced his interest and backing, but I don't recall Pleat speaking too much on it before it happened, and much afterwards either. Then Konchesky was also, from what I had heard, a Hoddle man, but clearly Pleat was driving that one. Also, Dalmat, whom Hoddle's pigeon-French helped secure, was touted as a Hoddle acqusition. Was Pleat very vocal on those guys before/during their acquisitions? I simply do not know, because from the media that I get they all seemed like Hoddle's guys, including Convey. But, clearly Pleat has been the person picking the players, and Pleat has been playing the players he picked, so it seems very consistent that Pleat would be one of the main interested people in Convey's services. -Digital
Convey, Captain of the US U-20 team, scored and led his team to victory (from central attacking midfield) by a score of 3-1 over Paraguay in the opening round of the U-20 World Championships in the UAE. The US' next game is against Germany. http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=47119&itype=&iCategoryID=0 Also, there is a picture of Convey being lifted up by his teammate Zak Whitbread, a first team player for Liverpool who holds dual US-English citizenship ... kinda cool. Another story here: http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/latest_soccer_news/396724.html And a third good website's version here: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/NationalTeams/20031129083213/view -Digital
As I understand it, Convey cannot reapply until next summer. By then, yes, it is very likely that Convey will qualify for a work permit without having to go to appeal. -Digital
Convey just had a fantastic performance against Germany in the U-20 tournament. He scored a goal in the first game (Paraguay) and had an assist in the second (Germany) but if his teammates could finish easy goals (1v1 against keeper, tap-in on open goal, open shot from 6 yards after Convey drew the keeper to the opposite post), then Convey would have had 4 assists, and the US might have won. In his online chat, Steven Goff (lead DC United reporter for the Washington Post) said that Convey has his heart set on England. While he didn't specifically say Spurs, it seems like Convey very much wants to come to White Hart Lane. With his performances at the U-20 tournament, there are already a half-dozen top teams that are considering trying to move for him in January. -Digital
Ah excellent then Konchesky has been a good player so far, Charlton are likely to want a few quid for him though. More than DC would for Convey.
Convey nominated for top US award. http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?section=main&cont_id=217486 -Digital
Convey with another excellent performance in the U-20 World Championships, as he drew two penalties which led to the US' 2-0 victory over South Korea. The group finished like this: 1. USA - advanced as Group Winner 2. Paraguay - advanced as 2nd in Group 3. South Korea - advanced as a strong 3rd in Group 4. Germany - did not advance The USA's Ed Johnson is tied for the lead thus far in goals scored and Bobby Convey is clearly the US' most valuable player (captain, #10, central midfielder). Freddy Adu started up top with Ed Johnson against South Korea. http://www.dcunited.com/index.cfm?section=main&cont_id=soccer_news&headline_id=151903 -Digital
Possibly Assist of the Tournament at U-20 World Championships After possibly scoring the goal of the tournament against Paraguay (who finished second in the group and advanced) by beating 3 defenders on the dribble and then drilling an unstoppable shot into the top corner, Convey made possibly the assist of the tournament against the Ivory Coast in the Round of 16. With his back to the goal, Convey takes the ball off of his chest and first-time flicks it over his head perfectly in-stride to an on-rushing Justin Mapp to release him alone on goal. Depending upon how far the US advances (US plays tournament favorite Argentina next), Convey is in the running for the Golden Ball award for the U-20 World Championships Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Quite a showing. I just hope the ignorant appeals judges that voted against awarding Convey a work-permit have had a chance to see his dominance on the world stage. http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=50116 -Digital
Convey is doing well here it seems. But in fairness the U-20 is not a prestigious tournament at all, the overriding stigma attached to it is that the best players don't play there. There's no real getting around that. His best bet now would be to get a loan spell at a European club in the MLS off season. That would help his cause a lot more than playing for the U-20. Somewhere in Holland or Germany where they don't have work permits so he can just pick up and play. I'm sure if his agent is remotely competent he could find a club easily, even Toda is doing that now in Holland, and I'm sure there's a Bundesliga club who would be happy to take Convey on to reinforce their squad.
I thought they had work permits, or something similar, in pretty much every developed country. Never really examined it in any great depth but one of the things we did in the European Community (EC) a few years back now was the liberalising of the labour market so that, if you were an EC member state citizen, you could work anywhere in the EC. Clearly, that wouldn't include the States. Anyone know different?
In all fairness, that's a half-truth. I imagine that the Germans, who say they were among the hardest hit teams for missing key players, might even take exception with that comment. Truchowski is one of the brightest Bayern Munich prospects, and Bayern Munich had at least one other big-time prospect on that team as well. Also, Huth and Kneissel, two top Chelsea prospects, were on the team. Yes, Germany was missing 4 or 5 prospects as well, but to say that "the best players don't play there" just isn't true. I'll buy "some of the best" but that's about it. By the way, Germany finished last in a hotly contested qualifying group (which the US won). There was a lot of talent on each team. Just because English clubs have traditionally been extremely stingy about releasing their players for these tournaments doesn't mean that it's the norm internationally. Oddly enough, the US' Zak Whitbread, part of our shaky defense, just made the full Liverpool team. No, he doesn't play yet, but Liverpool think he's one of their top prospects. Winning the U-20 World Championship may not be like winning the World Cup for the age group, but it probably is similar to winning Euro 2004 (competition that doesn't include South America) for the age group. There's still a ton of talent there. -Digital
Sorry, but it's the simple truth that the U-20 tournament is not really respected internationally and it's certainly not just England that feels that way by any means. Look at the teams in the second stage, where are the Italians and the young players in Serie A who are involved in first team football? Where are the French? The Dutch? Where are Diego and Robinho for the Brazilians? Where are the best Spanish players like Reyes and Torres? Where is Carlos Tevez? Where is Nigeria and Cameroon, the two strongest African countries? ETC... Whether countries are right to dismiss this tournament is something that certainly could be debated, but the fact that right now it is not regarded highly where it really counts and does not feature an overwhelming majority of the top young players in the world is unquestionable. The Germans were apparently still missing a significant number of their best players, and the players you listed are again mostly reserves at club level who have not fully established themselves. Huth is perhaps the best of that lot because he has first team experience, but a number of the others, particularly Kneissel, are nothing special. Anyway that's not the issue, Convey will have to produce similar displays like he's apparently doing in this U-20 tournament on the senior international stage or in MLS to justify a work permit. There is no question about that regardless of whether people feel that is right or wrong. Otherwise again his best bet would be a spell in somewhere like Holland and Germany, he can use his performances at the U-20 tournament to guarantee a loan move to a Bundesliga club. With success there the world is his oyster and it would improve him significantly as a player.
I must say I've been rather confused by the FIFA youth WC as well. I tuned in to watch England and, frankly, didn't recognise any of the players at all. I sort of recognised some of the names... sort of... but I don't think any of them play first team football in the EPL, do they? Then, over the weekend I saw a number of players for their club sides who should have been there... Very strange. Does anyone know exactly what the rules are for 'youth' as opposed to U20 U23, whatever?
I think you mean he made the squad, don't you? Making the team tends to mean he has played a number of games for them.
I mean he was given an official first team number. I thought I had made it clear he has not played any league games for the first team at Liverpool. If not, sorry for the misunderstanding. As to the England team, its true, the English teams simply do not release their players, so the team is extremely weak, thus they did not progress. But for every big time player that you name that wasn't there, there's another who was. My point is that it was incorrect to say that none of the top players were there, because clearly many were. It's correct that Tevez wasn't there for Argentina, but look at their roster, there's a ton of recognizable talent. But if you only know 2 or 3 names on a top teamteam (i.e. Diego and Robinho for Brazil) and don't know the next half-dozen top prospects (i.e. Alex, etc. etc.) then I can see how you might come to a quick conclusion. But the truth is that if you took the top 30 or so nations and listed their best age-eligible prospects into a pot, that the majority of that group would be eligible. Some countries, like England, Italy, Spain, Germany and Holland are crawling with scouts. But many more countries aren't. So many countries see this as their chance to be scouted, and you get a lot of talent. Even hotbeds such as Argentina and Brazil get most of their best players into these tournaments because it is the "shop window" to show their skills. Many of their clubs want them to go because it raises their transfer fee. As shocking as it may seem, many of the best European club players come from outside of Europe. Still more come from less scouted European countries. So, while the English clubs may not release their players, many other clubs are delighted that their players participate. -Digital
I only listed a couple of names from each team because that would take far too long and is not necessary to get the point across. Sure there are some decent players at U-20 and some countries there with less visible leagues take it seriously, but that still doesn't disguise the fact that a number of the major countries with the most talented players have had to downgrade it, and the overall standard of play from most teams is comparitively poor. I can see the US and MLS may view this tournament as important, but sadly that doesn't mean it is not only to Europe but also to a lot of other non-European nations.
Some countries take it seriuosly? If you are going to begin to prove this, you need to start listing the counties that don't, besides England and maybe Germany, and the better players they left behind. Don't even start with Tevez. Argentina wanted him bad, but he refused to go, even taking it to court so that he could play in the Intercontinental Cup against Milan. Even Sepp Blatter was pissed. I'll grant you Diego and Robinho, but what other players are not here? I find it hard to believe that because one or two countries do not bring their best, that the level of play in this tourney is severely diminished. Convey does not need to go on loan to prove he can be a impact player in a European team. His performance for three different national teams and DC United are plenty for scouts to determine his value.
Players named as 'rising stars' by fifa from the last three tournaments: 2001: Andres D'Alessandro (ARG), Javier Saviola (ARG), Kaka (BRA), Djibril Cissé (FRA), Philippe Mexes (FRA), Derek Boateng (GHA), DaMarcus Beasley (USA), Landon Donovan (USA), … 1999: Esteban Cambiasso (ARG), Ronaldinho (BRA), Ashley Cole (ENG), Shinji Ono (JPN), Koji Nakata (JPN), Seol Ki-Hyeon (KOR), Seydou Keita (MLI), Rafael Marquez (MEX), Julius Aghahowa (NGA), Roque Santa Cruz (PAR), Damien Duff (IRL), Robbie Keane (IRL), Gabri (ESP), Xavi (ESP), Fabian Carini (URU), Diego Forlan (URU), … 1997: Pablo Aimar (ARG), Esteban Cambiasso (ARG), Diego Placente (ARG), Juan Roman Riquelme (ARG), Walter Samuel (ARG), Adailton (BRA), Jamie Carragher (ENG), Kieron Dyer (ENG), Danny Murphy (ENG), Michael Owen (ENG), Nicolas Anelka (FRA), William Gallas (FRA), Thierry Henry (FRA), Mikaël Silvestre (FRA), David Trezeguet (FRA), Peter Ofori-Quaye (GHA), Damien Duff (IRL), Benedict McCarthy (RSA), Miguel Angulo (ESP), Francisco Farinos (ESP), Gerard (ESP), Nicolas Olivera (URU), Marcelo Zalayeta (URU), John O'Brien (USA) I could go on, but I think that's enough names. I don't care how much or how little you or other Europeans 'respect' the tournament, it's clear there are a lot of very, very talented young players playing in it. Going through the last three tournament's 'rising stars,' there is a shocking number of world class players. If you can look at those lists and say that there's nobody talented playing, you simply don't know what you're talking about.
Ahh here come the defensive trolls out of the woodwork. Thank you for advising on when threads should be closed in this forum A significant number of the so called stars you listed there are nothing of the sort. Derek Boateng anyone? Koji Nakata?? Sure there are quite a few top players listed there, ovewhelmingly Argentinian, but also look at the large number who aren't there or who strolled in and out of this tournament in the space of a week. FIFA has a strong tendency towards self-publicity and you have lapped it up hook, line and sinker. By all means bury your head in the sand and hype this tournament up and fervently believe that Convey's performances mean that he can walk into a top European or South American league and fit right in. But I can tell you from long experience that this just isn't the case. He would be much better off getting time on loan somewhere else first, like Holland or Germany which are stronger leagues than MLS, and where there is absolutely no question that serious improvements would be made to his game. By all accounts, and from my own eyes, Bobby Convey had a very poor season at DC United. If he can't handle that level of play, how on earth is a couple of weeks in the middle east meant to transform him into someone who can produce consistently week in and week out in a vastly more competitive environment? I think there's no doubt that a large part of the defensiveness over this is because the US is taking it seriously and has made progress in it. I've no doubt if the US had gone out in the group stages with 3 defeats some of you would be first in line to point out how little it actually means. I'm not dismissing the US or Convey's achievements here by an means, kudos to them, but in the big picture it's just not significant enough.
I think that digitaltron and I are talking at cross purposes. Firstly I wasn't saying that I didn't recognise any of the players - I wouldn't expect to recognise many of the Italian or Paraguayan youth players - I was saying that I didn't any of the ENGLISH players. Also, I wasn't saying that there weren't any good players at this tournament - I've seen some of the games, (Argentina vs. Egypt , in particular), and there most certainly are. I was saying that I didn't understand how decisions were made by EPL clubs as to who to release for this tournament. In other words I've seen other tournaments, U20, U23, whatever, and most of the big names you'd expect from EPL clubs Engish contingent were there - but for this one they don't seem to be. I tend to think it's a question of losing people for an extended period because the other U20, U23, games I've seen were either single games or very short round-robin affairs.