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Aston Villa closing in on Brad Friedel

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In an apparent attempt to secure a monopoly on all top American goalkeepers named Brad, Aston Villa is closing in on a $5 million move for former U.S. national team goalkeeper and Blackburn star Brad Friedel.

Friedel is looking to leave Blackburn after long-time manager Mark Hughes left Ewood Park and Villa is in the lead to secure his services. Some reports have called the deal already done, but conflicting reports say the deal is not yet complete.

With a Friedel to Villa move looking like a strong possibility, it will set up an interesting situation for goalkeeper Brad Guzan. While some folks in the United States might have thought Guzan was heading to Aston Villa to start, it is clear that the Villains are looking for a veteran goalkeeper to step in and start, as well as to groom Guzan for the eventual starting role.

There may be no more perfect player to do that than Friedel, who like Guzan, played in MLS and can help with the transition to the European game. Friedel is also 37 years old and winding down an impressive European career. The ideal scenario would be to have Guzan serve a two-year apprenticeship under Friedel before taking the starting job (with Friedel possibly returning to MLS). Between events such as Carling Cup and early rounds of the FA Cup, as well as potential reserve games, Guzan would have a chance to see playing time even if Friedel continues his remarkable streak of 175 consecutive EPL starts.

What do you think of this development? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. great move for both brads, but based on friedel’s quality of play lately it would have been nice to see him go to a major club mabye even play champions league for a year or two.

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  2. I think this is a good move for Friedel and Guzan. I can see Guzan being loaned out to a team like Stoke city that is in need of a keeper to get some experience.

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  3. How exactly did it appear that Guzan was under the impression he would be the #1? I don’t recall him saying that. And if he thought it, or any of you thought that, that’s just wishful. Villa was never going to just hand the job to someone as inexperienced as Guzan, especially after the disaster that was Carson in the last 3 months last season–and especially now that they have the scent of Europe under their noses. O’Neill is slowly building a squad, and more than one quality keeper will be needed.

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  4. I’m surprised Ince & the Rovers’ braintrust haven’t made moves to keep Friedel. He’s one of the main reasons why Blackburn has been able to finish in the top ten the past few years.

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  5. I’d be very happy with this. The scenario Ives paints sounds great. With Timmay in fine form we don’t have a glaring need on the national team level. I like the idea of apprenticing from the Brad. Who else would we want it to be?

    I would imagine that Guzan was told he would probablly be backing up. Villa was in the race for Europe last season. I don’t think, as good as Guzan is, that they would want to put there net in the hands of an unproven goalie.

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  6. If this falls through, I just feel bad for Brad. As young as he is (and taking previous comments into consideration) it just appeared that Brad was under the impression that he was moving to Villa to start in the Prem, not to be some veteran keepers “padawan learner”

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  7. The only thing keeping Friedel at Blackburn was his friendship with Mark Hughes. If he can’t go to Man City, then Aston Villa is fine.

    Guzan needs a lot of work on the technical / decision making side of the position. Friedel can help with that. And make sure he shaves his head.

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  8. Hmm, I don’t know, if Guzan wanted mentoring, he’d go to a summer camp. I don’t see how he improves sitting on the bench. Friedel hasn’t missed, like, a minute, of any game in the last 5+ years. He was in superb form at the end of last season, one of the best 3 keepers in the EPL.

    While it may suit Friedel, I don’t see any reason to be excited for Guzan at this development. Big negative for him IMHO.

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  9. I think this is a good move. Brad can mentor Brad for the starting job. Who wouldn’t want to learn from Brad Friedel?

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  10. Actually, I think this a move for Friedal and life after Soccer.

    Both Friedel and Randy Lerner are from Cleveland. Friedel’s PSA would be in a great position to become a US based academy for Aston Villa. Currently, PSA are the Columbus Crew academy, but there is nothing in the way of PSA becoming a US based Academy.

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  11. good point adam one could argue that is was that ONE mistake versus Porto that made the difference. I dont remeber Timmy making to many other mistake other than that, but then again thats all it takes. He never got a fair shake at United

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  12. “Just saying, either way, AV is going to be the next FFC at this rate.”

    They were also rumored to be interested in Frank Simek.

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  13. I wonder if Guzan knew about this little plan when he agreed to sign?

    I wouldn’t want Guzan to spend more than a year backing somebody up.

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  14. this is a fantastic move for guzan. if he’s 24 now, in 2010 he’ll be a clear back up at age 26, so he’ll be in his prime come 2014/18. the last thing he needs is a shot to his confidence. playing a full season in the EPL after playing in the MLS is totally different. if he started giving up 2-3 goals a game, he may mentally be done before he ever really got started. and there’s no big game keeper better than friedel to teach him. remember, it was mistakes and shattered confidence that lead to timmy howard being benched and replaced at Man U.

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  15. Brilliant move by Villa, get you future GK in Guzan and mentor him with the one who might win you a shock champions league place next year in Friedel. Randy Lerner is the model any American investor should follow when considering to get in the BPL. Stay outta sight, hire a master coach, write the checks, and dont pretend to know all about the BPL like the idiot owners from my team on Merseyside. Got any rich brothers Randy? Send them to Liverpool, the Browns are a waste of there time

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  16. I like this move because I normally have to qualify my hate for Blackburn with, “but at least they have Friedal.” Now I can fully despise them for the negative style and tackling that the club seems to embrace.

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  17. Could very well work-out similar to Howard’s experience with Man U. Enough time being number two with a top flight, well-managed club gave Howard the experience and credibility to move to another top filght club in a number one spot.

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  18. See, and during the Guzan to AV article, I was ripped for saying that AV wanted Friedel as the starting keeper and that Man City was the top bidder… Just saying, either way, AV is going to be the next FFC at this rate. As long as they don’t waste their money bringing in EJ.

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  19. As a Friedel and Rovers fan, that’s really messed up. Suddenly he wants a new challenge? WTF Brad? You just signed a new contract. Don’t like the new gaffer?

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  20. Although there will be no better mentor than Friedel, it’s disappointing that Guzan will not see regular first team action if the deal goes through. I would much rather have Guzan play regularly between the pipes and get his mentoring off the field. In fact there is another American goal keeper floating around with tons of experience in Europe and is willing to be a backup. Seriously, from a national team standpoint Guzan is working his way to the number two spot. If he is going to earn and retain that spot he needs to play every day.

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  21. You know what? Friedel is such a bad-a$$ that at this point, I don’t even begrudge him that silly affected accent. Good for Villa if they can sign him.

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  22. at first glance, i didnt like it. but the move would be a smart one. friedel mentoring guzan for a few years, then stepping aside. if i was guzan, this would get me very excited!

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