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Howard backs Donovan move to Everton as Moyes confirms deal is being finalized

Tim Howard 3 (ISIphotos.com)

Though it shouldn't come as much of a surprise, U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard has thrown his support behind Landon Donovan's impending loan move to Everton, stating emphatically that Donovan could provide a boost for the Toffees.

'From playing with him in the USA team I know he is a tremendous player,' Howard told Everton's official website.

'He'd be a good addition to any team and particularly this team. He is a star, he really is."

While both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Everton have issued statements saying the loan move has not yet happened, sources have told SBI that the loan has been agreed to in principle and is going through final details before an announcement later this month.

Everton manager David Moyes confirmed in a Friday press conference that the Toffees are closing in on a Donovan loan deal.

“I can't tell you too much just now because we are just finalising things," Moyes said. "But I think that will probably happen in a couple of weeks."

Moyes stopped short of saying the deal was already finished, and choose to withhold more comment until everything was complete.

"I would rather wait until it's done. Maybe in a couple of weeks we will be able to tell you a little bit more," Moyes said of the impending deal.

Howard made it clear that Donovan has the qualities to jump in and contribute right away in the English Premier League.

'Donovan can bring several strengths to the team," Howard said. "He can play wide right and underneath the strikers, he has got good pace with the ball and he runs and runs all day long.'He's got a fantastic touch with both his left and right. He can cross the ball well and shoot the ball well – he has got a bunch of attributes that mean he'll do well in the Premier League."

What do you think of Howard backing Donovan's move? Excited to hear that the move is being finalized? Looking forward to seeing Donovan lining up against teams like Chelsea and Manchester United?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. If SBI thinks the info is solid enough to run the story, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. I like getting the inside scoop ASAP and its one of many reasons I get the great majority of my soccer news from SBI. In my time following the site, I don’t recall any big retractions or apologies for jumping the gun and I very much doubt we’ll get one here.

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  2. I agree that the National Team coach isn’t supposed to teach the basics, but he should put together training plans that help the team come together and play the system he is implementing. Which may include some of the basics such as movement off the ball, etc. The only real fault that I can find with Bradley is that his in-game tactical decisions seem to come too late in the game. Other than that, he’s gotten the most out of the group of players at his disposal, and aside from the WC which he hasn’t played in yet, has been more successful and less arrogant than DaBruce.

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  3. I see no evidence that the US team could be any better than it is right now. Another coach? Who knows? There is simply no reason to believe that a different coach would do better than BB. Look at our players, where they play, etc. WHY should we be able to beat mid-level Euro teams consistently? We have the same number of players in top leagues as Sweden, Denmark, etc. They have as good or usually better home leagues than the US. So WHY would another coach make us better than those countries.

    Just makes no sense.

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  4. crispy. what i mean by next level in part includes, as you put it, our consistency stepping up. it’s relatively easy to win one game against spain compared to consistently competing against the top teams in the world or even OK teams like denmark. that to me is next level. and you’re right – the world cup hasnt happened yet, and i hope bob bradley gets us to the semis and further. but my point is that going off of US performances and more specifically the style of play the US has employed i dont think bob is that guy. let’s not forget we’ve been qualified for the WC since 1994 now and have gotten far in 2002, so getting us there or winning the gold cup isn’t enough. teams like denmark shouldn’t expect to beat us and teams like germany should be as scared of us as they are a serbia. a lot of that is definitely talent, which a coach does not control. and like i said, i think bob was the best domestic option for coach and has done a very good job, but i don’t think im in the minority when i say that the tactics bob bradley has employed (counterattacking, set pieces, bunkering down defensively) have been the same as his predecessors and won’t help us get to that next level, that we both seem to agree exists.

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  5. You guys keep saying the next level???

    What exactly does that mean, ??? I don’t understand, i for one believe we’re already there, its just our consistency that needs to step it up, second

    you said, “bradley will never get us to WC semis or have us consistently beating even mid level european teams (denmark, norway, etc.).” ..ummmm, how do you know, has the World Cup happened yet? No, so how do you know that Bradley won’t make it to the semi’s, unless you’re psychic or sumthing

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  6. I can’t wait to go over to bigsoccer to hear from all those posters who know better than Tim Howard about who can make it in the EPL!

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  7. I really hope he gets some minutes and if he doesn’t, that he keeps plugging and working until he does. He’s always been the man in MLS and now he’s back in a situation where he’s a curiosity. I really want him to succeed this time because if he fails to impress this time, there won’t be another chance.

    I just wonder if he’s capable of bringing it every day? That’s what it will take for him to get minutes. He’s never had to fight for time in MLS.

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