Photo by ISIphotos.com
The quest to sign U.S. national team striker Charlie Davies has apparently come to an end and Sochaux is claiming victory.
French newspaper L'Equipe is reporting that Davies is being sold to Sochaux in a transfer from Swedish club Hammarby. Sochaux was one of three French clubs among the final teams in the chase for Davies. If true, the deal will make Davies the second American in Ligue 1, joining U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes).
What do you think of Davies making the move to the French first division? Like the move for Davies, or were you hoping he would move to a bigger league? Still hoping he winds up at Rennes with Bocanegra?
Share your thoughts below.
JustinV – great!
Just keep dancin kid….dance your way to glory!!
This is good, he’ll get playing time against some better talent than the Swedish league while not getting burnt out in a day at some level where he may not be quite ready to play at. I hope the deal is only for a year or two, play him and then we’ll see- either way its a win win for him, club and country.
LOL LADYBOYKISSES.COM
dont hate on the girl/boy, shes likely got a bigger one than you
I like the move. While it might have been nice for him to go to Rennes and play with Bocs Ligue 1 is a step up from Sweden and could be a steppingstone to a top club in La Liga or the EPL. Great move for him and if he can get the PT then this should be a great move for the MNT and all of us fans!
I guess critics can stop saying a young US prospect transferring to a Scandinavian league will never go anywhere.
Posted by: CSD | July 09, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Davies is the exception, not the rule. One guy making a move doesn’t turn Scandinavia into a virtual pipeline to Europe.
I hope Davies can get some consistent playing time this season. I’ve never been a Ligue 1 fan but I’ll be interested enough now to try and check out some Sochaux matches.
Two things about Davies…..Stop celebrating like you do after a goal! Not American Football and the Mexican players do that stupid crap after they score, SO STOP!!! Second, go to France, IF YOU WILL GET PT!!!! BUT STOP THE STOOOPID DANCE!!!
Posted by: Salchipapa619 | July 09, 2009 at 01:40 PM
KILL JOY OF THE DAY
Guys, if you’re seeing ads for she-males then chances are there’s something in your computers causing those to come up. That’s usually how those ads work.
Just saying.
Good for Charlie. Sochaux just sold their best striker to PSG so they are looking for help. Also, this is the same team that tried to get him in January. They had a relegation battle going on at the time so they saw him as help then. That is before the Confed Cup. So they have been tracking him for a while and I think they feel he can really help. That should get him every opportunity to contribute.
As far as Ligue 1. I agree with the guys saying it is a good league. Good players across the board. But players can still develop. IMO.
BIG PROPS to JustinV for his comments…..the analogy that you reference…..the electric slide and the monster mash…..had me laughing out loud and rolling on the floor at my office. if you had included the “thriller dance” i would have turned off my computer and gone home for the day….there would have been no way i could have continued workign after that….GREAT STUFF!
tear it up kid.
LC–I agree. Maybe the Galaxy’s next sponsor after Herbalife will say “ladyboykisses”. [vomit]
Ligue 1 is not the EPL or La Liga, but plenty of players from League 1 end up in thise leagues when they are successful. So I don’t see how the league can be that bad.
Any chance any of you know what type of formation Sochaux plays? Is Davies going to have to establish himself as a lone striker, a second striker in a 4-4-2? Anyone know?
CSD, I’m not sure that one guy successfully moving into a bigger league from Scandinavia makes it a really attractive option all of a sudden. For me, it still isn’t. But this move is great for Charlie. I wonder if he’ll have an extra skip in his step against Rennais while he’s running at Bocanegra.
I love that plenty of people have come to the “defense” of Ligue 1, but there really wasn’t an attack.
I’m looking through these comments and you have a bunch of people getting defensive about Ligue 1 for no reason.
We’re all happy Davies is stepping up in competition. It’s a good move and one that will help him get ready for WC 2010 and beyond. We’re all proud of him.
BTW, no twitter updates from Davies on the issue… yet.
I hope he plays consistently there. The French League is a big step up from Sweden. Looking at the location, it looks like a great place to live — the French / Swiss border area is beautiful!
This is a damn good place for him. He’ll get plenty of playing time and exposure. He’ll take to playing in Ligue 1 like a fish to water. Sochaux isn’t a big club but they’re damn scrappy when they play and have produced their share of great players.
The reason why Ligue 1 isn’t more popular with players is based on the money. Ain’t much money in French Football and those whom are making it get taxed like you wouldn’t believe. It’s why very,very good French footballers will play for a 2nd or 3rd tier EPL side. The money is too good to pass up. Think of it this way, why would you leave the south of France to go play at Sunderland? Money!!!!! Why would you leave Paris to play at Hull City? MONEY!!!
Check this out-
Your top 5 players in EPL 2008-2009
(Millions of Euros)
1.Cristiano Ronaldo – 18.3
2. Wayne Rooney – 13.5
3. Frank Lampard – 13
4. John Terry – 11.7
5. Robinho – 11.4
Your top 5 players in Ligue1 2008-2009
(Millions of Euros)
1. Karim Benzema – 4.8
2. Claude Makelele – 4.6
3. Juninho – 4.5
4. Cris – 4.2
5. Fabio Grosso – 3.9
So now ya see what I’m talking about.
Benzema will triple his salary at Real Madrid. Had he gone to England it would have tripled.
CRAZY!!!!!
What’s amazing is that Ligue 1 continues to develop young players and the majority of whom are born and raised in France.
Judging from the fans’ comments on L’Equipe’s site, Charlie’s going to have his work cut out for him to convince them of his worth.
Those of you complaining about Charlie’s goal dance, get over it. He didn’t make that dance up, it’s the Stanky Legg and it’s the big hip hop dance craze. He’s a kid, having fun, doing the latest dance to celebrate. Just like you would have done the Electric Slide or the Monster Mash.
I guess critics can stop saying a young US prospect transferring to a Scandinavian league will never go anywhere.
Posted by: CSD | July 09, 2009 at 01:24 PM
I have to disagree with you on this point. There is a common theory–let’s call it the “springboard theory”–that states that Scandanavia is a door to the rest of Europe. Many believe that a move to one of these countries increases your chances of getting noticed by bigger European leagues and “moving up.” I think this is untrue. And I don’t think the transfer of the best player we have in these leagues to a bigger club really proves anything (we do, after all, have players transfering from MLS to La Liga and the EPL from time to time). The fact remains that most players (all except Davies?) who go to Scandanavia don’t move on to bigger things.
That said, I have no problem with Americans going to play there. They get a chance to live in another country. They get a bigger paycheck. I don’t know that the quality is significantly better, but you do have the chance to play against some good teams in European competitions. If I were a player choosing between MLS and Sweden, I’d probably take Sweden. I just think the “springboard theory” is a lame justification and little more than a fantasy.
No kidding! Get off Davies’ case about the dance! The stanky leg brings out a little bit of his attitude and personal style. It’s good to see some American style in goal celebrations.
Seriously Ives, where do you find these sponsors from? Shemales?
France or the Dutch League were the two best options for Davies. I was kind of hoping for Holland, but this will do fine.
As for the dancing, I’m also not a big fan. But I do like goal celebrations. I used to love when a guy scored and him and a couple of teammates would run around doing that “airplane” thing in formation. that was cool.
He’s shown what he can do lately…if he plays like that, he’ll play alot for Sochaux!
Two things about Davies…..Stop celebrating like you do after a goal! Not American Football and the Mexican players do that stupid crap after they score, SO STOP!!! Second, go to France, IF YOU WILL GET PT!!!! BUT STOP THE STOOOPID DANCE!!
So…Henry can dance, Ronaldinho can dance, Adebayor can dance, but Davies can’t? I realize they’re all more established players, but come on, a LOT of players do that.
The suspension won’t carry over because it was a 5-game suspension starting before the confed cup. So he has served it
I can’t quiet understand the idea that the French league is not a great league.
Posted by: Bill
That’s simple — they suck in the Euro leagues. All of the those Ligue titles, and how well did Lyon ever do in the CL?
There’s the top 4, then Ligue 1. Their UEFA country rankings has them at 5, as well.
Two things about Davies…..Stop celebrating like you do after a goal! Not American Football and the Mexican players do that stupid crap after they score, SO STOP!!! Second, go to France, IF YOU WILL GET PT!!!! BUT STOP THE STOOOPID DANCE!!!
I was hoping the he would go to Rennes with Bocanegra, but it’s definately the right league for him.
Any chance of getting a link written in English?
L’Equipe article as translated by Google Translate:
According to information from the team, FC Sochaux be agreed with the American international striker Charlie Davies, 23 years, now moving to Hammarby in the Swedish 1st Division. This former wrestler should engage with the Franche-Comte club on Thursday for the next four seasons.
Davies was illustrated with the United States at the last Confederations Cup in South Africa, where he scored one goal face to Egypt (3-0) and played the final of the race to Brazil (2-3). Davies currently dispute the Gold Cup until 26 July.
I don’t see anything about a transfer fee. I thought that was the holdup, with personal terms already agreed.
great move to a team looking to replace its leading goal scorer from the previous year
I can’t quiet understand the idea that the French league is not a great league. No, I’m not a week in/out fan – but the quality is great (technical and physical). PSG is my personal favs in that league so I watch enough to ‘have a team’ – FYI.
It’s not EPL – but get over it, EPL has alot of crap teams (they’re all not chelsea, manu and arsenal – try objectively watching aston villa vs portsmouth – geesh!). I think gringo soccer fans give EPL far too much credance and ‘other leagues’ too much negativity. Each league is different – trying to compare one versus another (outside of champion’s league) is pointless.
I recall Sunderland touring usa 2nd div back in 05 and bringing thousands of fans along for the show – they were newly promoted to EPL. The game I saw was portland vs sunderland. Portland, frankly stunk all season – great fans or not, they tried hard but they stunk. Sunderland, in preseason form, if you recall went quickly back out of EPL, was worse! Their fans were pleasently impressed with the ‘quality of play’ – My rusky friend and I laughed hard thinking they will be back in the (whatever it’s called) english 2nd div. But, 1st/2nd div in england ‘isnt the best’ – it’s just different.
Point is – Ligue 1 is a super league and he’ll be fortunate to get game time. Hopefully for him, it’s a great pay-day.
I like this move. I think the French league is a good place for Davies to continue to develop.
Posted by: Chris
Chris,
I wouldn’t be Sochaux about that. 🙂
Seems like a good spot for him. They just sold a striker and he could fit right into his spot. I’m not sure if they are a counter attacking team, but as a lower table side I wouldn’t be surprised, and that would fit Charlie’s strengths.
Good move my Davies. Like everyone else has said, small steps like this are good for him.
Does his suspension from the Swedish league carry over to France?
Charlie if you get a chance after the Gold Cup can you give Eddie Johnson a call and explain to him how a US striker with pace is supposed to play.
Great place to be for a 23 year old US striker on the rise. Hopefully he gets a few nice Peugots thrown in with his contract.
What happens with his ban for the elbow in the Swedish league.
I guess critics can stop saying a young US prospect transferring to a Scandinavian league will never go anywhere.
Let’s hope this works for Charlie and the US. Obviously the key is playing time and development. He’s still young and can still improve. I think this will be a nice step forward for his career.
Solid move. He’s 23, and he’ll get playing time in a top league against good competition.
Remember, Andrew Jacobson was with Ligue 1 FC lorient. Andrew suffered a major foot injury which kept them from re-signing him, but he will flourish again soon enough.
wait a minute…..aren’t these the bad guys in angels and demons?
Seriously, french football should suit him well. Hopefully, he’ll see lots of playing time and will work in a system that won’t just rely on his speed.
Its perfect. A better league and good opportunity to play.
great destination. France is a hot bed for young footballers to develop.
that league has pumped out so many world class players
I like it. They’re not a big enough club to buy him and then loan him out again so Im sure he’ll stay, and Im sure he’ll get some PT. One step at a time Charlie, one step at a time.
I’ve always thought its gotta be cool when Tim howard plays fulham, or west ham and the americans get to see/play against each other. I get the feeling they’re all well aware of their situations as few americans (comparatively) play abroad, it must be nice to see a familiar american face.
Wow that’s a small town. 28k. It makes Villarreal look like Madrid.
I think france is a good next step
…hopefully
Gotta move up one step at a time and french first division isn’t terrible. I can see him doing pretty well.
I like this move. I think the French league is a good place for Davies to continue to develop.