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Ipswich Town make offer for Edu

Maurice Edu Rangers (Reuters)

Maurice Edu has been linked with a move to Ipswich Town in recent weeks, but now a bid by the English club has formally been submitted.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist confirmed Monday that Ipswich of the English Championship have made an offer for Edu. The U.S. men's national team midfielder has not played in a game for Rangers this season, but he has reportedly been keen on making a move away from the club that is currently in Scotland's fourth tier due to last season's liquidation.

McCoist said Edu has yet to accept the offer from Ipswich, but if he does he would join Alejandro Bedoya as players to secure moves away from Rangers during this summer transfer window. Bedoya signed with Swedish outfit Helsingborgs IF last week.

What do you think of Ipswich Town making a bid for Edu? How do you think Edu would fare in the Championship? Would you prefer he hold out for a move elsewhere, or is the risk of staying in Scotland's fourth tier too great?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. the Championship is far superior to MLS. I would compare MLS to League 1.

    also..it’s silly to ask a player to come back to MLS. Playing in Europe means more visibility for a move to a top league.

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  2. @Imperative: The Championship is an extremely close division, and although finishing 15th last season Ipswich were still much closer to the playoffs on points than they were to the relegation zone.

    As for starting out the season with the draw, it was against probably one of the strongest squads in the league – Blackburn Rovers – recently relegated after many years in the top flight. Furthermore it was a game Ipswich deserved to win.

    Also, in reply to other points, it is a complete myth that teams in the Championship won’t be able to survive in the Premiership for more than a season. Stoke, Swansea, Norwich are just three teams who have managed to do it.

    The Championship is a big league – 4th in terms of attendance in Europe (behind EPL, La Liga and Bundesliga) and a move there shouldn’t be scoffed at.

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  3. The best MLS sides do not have the depth and probably get relegated from the Championship.

    Anyway, these comparisons are pointless because the only way to prove your point is to have MLS teams play Championship teams in a competition where both teams are more or less at the same points in their seasons,like the Champions league.

    And I don’t see that happening.

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  4. Americans have played and do play in South America. Michael Hoyos played in Argentina, wanted to play for Argentina, then got into a car accident and now it seems his career is on hold. There are others in Colombia, Chile and Peru but they are not stars and media coverage is not too good.

    And of course there was Jonny Walker:

    “On a recommendation, Walker went to Chile and signed with Universidad Católica. They loaned him out to Huachipato in 1998, then brought him back, and he became the starting goalkeeper for the club, playing in the Copa Libertadores, and winning the Apertura 2002 Championship. Jonny then signed with Colo-Colo in 2003, and played a season there. Walker came back to the US later that year, signing with the MetroStars, after starting goalkeeper Tim Howard signed with Manchester United. In 2005, The MetroStars signed Tony Meola and traded Walker to the Columbus Crew. Walker retired after the 2006 season due to a chronic, inoperable back injury.

    Walker received his first cap for the United States national team against Denmark in January 2004.

    In the fall of 2009, Jonny Walker became the goalkeeper coach for the University of Memphis Women’s Soccer Team. In 2010, Walker became the assistant coach and continues in that position to date”

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  5. You have to look at the size of the club, their support, their ownership. Ipswich is one of the bigger teams in the Championship, by that measure, to see them promoted would not be as complete a shock as, say, Burnley, or Peterborough.

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  6. No way, the gulf between the Prem and Championship is massive, there are simply NO, ZERO, NADA championship teams that would survive in the Prem for long without many new signings, why do you think the promoted teams sign so many players every season. Look at QPR, tons of new players and just hanging on by their teeth in the Prem.

    The best MLS sides are probably on par with the middle of the pack Championship sides, at least until you get past the first 11.

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  7. Bocanegra was in his prime while playing in France. And many of the best African players play their club soccer in France. Don’t sell the league short. It has a lot of talent.

    And to repeat what Jared said, you can’t possibly think Charlie Davies decline was due to playing in France. I think almost dying in a car accident had more to do with his dip in form than anything else.

    I was just curious as to why Americans don’t go to South America. I see why most don’t do it, I just find it ironic that NONE do it. With all of the German-Americans who have come to light recently, I’m hopeful that well discover some Argentine-Americans and Brazilian-Americans somewhere out there.

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  8. The entire world is waiting to see if Europe’s economy is going to melt down so it seems even the crazy money spenders are getting very stingy.

    A few years ago Mo might have been a hot property but:

    + Rangers and the SPL are pretty pathetic in terms of competitive level. Mo has not really improved that much since moving to Glasgow and frankly, guys like him are about a dime a dozen.

    + It’s a little late in the transfer window. He may have to wait until the January window.

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  9. I have to question how easy is to arrange a short term MLS “rental” for Mo.

    Davies’ situation was a loan and it remains to be seen whether Rangers would be open to that.

    Sochaux seemed desperate to place Charlie somewhere while it seems Rangers might be more interested in Mo either staying or in getting cash for him. And if they sold Mo to MLS something tells me MLS would not be open to a “rental” situation.

    Where is everyone getting this idea that the Championship is comparable to MLS on the field?

    For the occasional one off game,sure, but over the course of a season not really. The top 6 teams or so in the Championship are at east lower level EPL equivalent and MLS is not yet at that level.

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  10. Or it means they pay very little attention to Edu because he’s never going to bring them in a fraction of the money those other players will bring in for them.

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  11. . . . whereas Dempsey’s agency has Jack Rodwell and then no one else valued at more than half as much as Deuce. Might or might not mean anything. . . .

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  12. After seeing the comments above about the possibility of Edu having a bad agent, did a check and found out–on the contrary. The agent is KICK & RUN SPORTS Management, who represents little guys like Dani Alves, Andy Carrol, Alex Song and on and on. Leads me to suspect that maybe the agent might be floating the Ipswich interest as a means of leveraging a better contract deal from a better team and that fans of Edu, such as myself, might get pleasant big surprise in coming days.

    http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/kick–run-sports-management/details/berater_1865.html

    http://kick-and-run.com/eng/index.html

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  13. It wasn’t a springboard for Davies? You’re going to put that on Ligue 1? Davies ruined his career 10 games into his first season at Sochaux by getting into that accident.

    I think Edu would be a good fit in France. It’s a fairly physical league but has more skill than the SPL.

    Americans don’t go to Brazil or Argentina because those leagues for the most part don’t import talent. That may change in the near future as Brazil’s economy is exploding allowing them to pay wages on par with European clubs.

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  14. In his case the PT is good and the paycheck nice but the level of play might be higher here depending where he might land. Not a cliche, simple fact.

    I also notice you neglected the “rental” nature of my suggestion — come here for a few months a la Davies and see what’s out there after that rather than just reflexively signing a deal — which hints as something other than cliche. But I think your response is actually the more cliched, “It’s such a cliche to say go back to MLS.” Itself a cliche. My concept had more nuance than that TYVM. I think he can do better than Ipswich.

    Ipswich was 15th last year and started out this season with a draw. “Would not be surprising?” I think he would need more assurance than this side will offer.

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  15. I would like our guys to get some time on teams together. Even if the team is not so great having 2 players here and 2 players there come into came with club minutes together can only help.

    So…knowing NOTHING about what team would be a good fit…I would like to see him play with Rapid or one of the smaller German teams, play with AZ, Molde, etc…it never hurts to have another player to gel with or hang out with outside of the game and putting the two on the field at the same time in a friendly would mean at least two guys have a good feel for each other. Likewise….if any of the guys go Champions level…then lets all go to Bolton so they can ALL get promoted at the end of the season.

    Yes….it is ironic that this is exactly what they did by all going to the Rangers together…but hey…who knew having some Yanks would break the bank.

    I just hope he goes to a great team FOR HIM. I knew very little of Rapid, AZ, Chievo, even Modle but each player on these teams from the USMNT has grown because they found a good style of play to match or found the right coach to get out of them what others have not. look at how many places Jozy tried….for whatever reason his coach at AZ has been the perfect couch for him. Some couches might not have the biggest club or budget and some talent might be limited but they might be able to at least get their guys to play to their full potential. So …best of luck to Edu.

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  16. It might simply be the timing, if you shop window yourself late in the transfer period like this feels, maybe you thin down the interested parties. While the Europhiles may want to speculate on a variety of leagues they like, maybe he actually wants to stay in the UK. In which case maybe his concept is take what he can get, within reason. Also, he may be thinking about where best to showcase his talents, in which case erring on the side of playing time might be wise. If you’re going to get over your head in a transfer do it early in the cycle, right now make sure you’re playing for WC qualifying.

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  17. “admittedly I know nothing about Ipswitch, is that the style of play doesn’t promote development of midfielders”

    classic. just stop talking please.

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  18. Edu, Boca, and Dempsey must have shite for agents. Seriously what are these agents doing if they can’t generate multiple bids for these guys, who are top quality proven commodities. Sheesh

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  19. Didn’t he already shoot down a couple of pretty good offers? One from Turkey and one from a mid- to low-level Ligue 1 team I thought.

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  20. Played 90 for Rangers against East Stirlingshire in a 5-1 win, had the foul on a PK.

    Having played their first two games I’m presuming he’s staying until I hear otherwise.

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  21. Championship and MLS are about the same level probably on the field, and ther Championship pays a crapton more money. Ipswich are a relatively big club and it would not be surprising to see them in the Premiership next year.

    Just because he’s not wanted by AC Milan or something doesn’t mean he should “come back to MLS”. Tired refrain every time a yank abroad changes clubs.

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  22. (a) Making a very mediocre 650,000 pound bid (~$1.0 million) to a team struggling financially sounds more to me like trying to take advantage, than like a team eager to pay what he’s worth.

    (b) Just because it’s “Ligue 1” (oh la la) doesn’t mean it’s what he needs. It wasn’t exactly a springboard for Davies.

    (c) If you thought DmB had trouble getting paid in Mexico send him to Argentina or Brazil. They produce great players in a quality league who then flee as fast as they can. Only players desperate for the spotlight or a late-career cash infusion come back, eg, Ronaldo.

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  23. I’m surprise also. I assume Edu is considering Ipswich’s offer but is taking his time to see if a first division team comes through with an offer. Doesn’t seem like his agent is doing the best job.

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  24. Count me among those shocked Edu isn’t getting more offers. He was a 90 minute player consistently for Rangers, is relatively young, is consistently called up to USMNT games, a world cup veteran, and relatively cheap on the pay scale. I can’t believe no teams in the first division of Spain, England, Germany, Italy, or France are making offers. Even at that I’d rather see him take a shot with a Dutch first division team. The problem in general with Championship teams, and admittedly I know nothing about Ipswitch, is that the style of play doesn’t promote development of midfielders. It’s a good move for getting to the premiership, but Edu could greatly benefit from featuring in a team that would advance his tactics and skill set.

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  25. Edu could start for Southhampton or WBA but I doubt it. It’s best for him to play in a France or Portuguese league. why’s he dropping to the Championship? Is the money that good?

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  26. Nothing against Ipswich (I don’t think it would be a terrible move) but I would like to see him at a club like Sochaux in France. They made a bid for him last year which was turned down by Rangers. I think he would be a perfect fit in a place like France or Portugal.

    I’ve also been curious as to why our guys don’t go play in places like Brazil or Argentina…those leagues have produced some of the best players in the world.

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  27. Championship? B.2? Unless he has money issues why not come home and play in MLS for a few months, then test the waters more freely in the winter window?

    Cause some of this starts to sound like people telling us Dempsey needs to go to Liverpool to get European football. Based on what I saw this last weekend, there’s more chance of that staying in SW6 than taking the conventional wisdom route of heading to esteemed Liverpool.

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  28. I’m surprised there is no first league interest for him as he is surely quality enough to play for any of the bottom 8 teams in the Prem or Germany. That said, a year in the Championship isn’t the end of the world. Who knows, Ipswich could get promoted too.

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  29. Those are my thoughts as well. I would think the Mexico match increased his stock. I hope he gets consistent minutes at CB.

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  30. I agree with those who think Maurice Edu is first league material, but if no first league teams are showing interest, which I find hard to believe, then Edu’s agent should give 2. Bundesliga team St. Pauli a phone call. St. Pauli just lost central defender and Peru international Carlos Zambrano to Eintracht Frankfurt, replacing him with a 1-year loan player from Hannover, 20-year-old Christopher Avevor. With Edu’s ability now to play defender or midfield, he could be very valuable to St. Pauli as the team tries to win its way back to the top league. Edu would fit in perfectly at St. Pauli and possibly could be playing with the team in the 1. Bundesliga next year.

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  31. Am I mistaken, or is the transfer window only open for another 11 days?

    A larger transfer may come to fruition during those few days. But given the ever-shrinking window, I’d recommend that Edu take this offer, sign a 1-2 year deal, play his butt off in the Championship this year, and then move next year.

    He needs to be playing and there are worse spots than the Championship.

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  32. I have a feeling this is going to end well for Edu, and have a similar feel to the Bradley transfer. Edu will sign for 2 years, have a great year with Ipswich Town, then Ipswich will get paid well for him to make the jump to a team like Newcastle or Liverpool (not those teams, but just teams of that caliber).

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  33. Ya, I think of him as a lower level EPL player. I’d rather him be in the Championship though. My reasoning being that he’s more likely to get consistent minutes.

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  34. I would say so, but that also depends on your definition of “Premier League quality.” Personally, I rate Edu as a lower level Premier league player or a middle-high Championship player which includes Ipswich. He could play at a place like Stoke, but he’ll certainly play at a club like Ipswich. And if we’re being honest, the Championship is more competitive than the Scottish Premier League was.

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