Photo by ISIphotos.com
Good afternoon folks and welcome to the first installment of Emptying the Notebook. I plan on making this a weekly segment where I touch on all the topics and stories I wasn’t able to get to during the week. As you know, each week flies by as stories surface and pass through the news cycle. Sometimes there are stories that I just don’t get to.
With that in mind, here are some items from the SBI Notebook:
Donovan and Bayern Munich
As you might have heard earlier this week from the Washington Post, Bayern Munich had discussions with Major League Soccer about Landon Donovan. Here is what I have been told. Apparently Juergen Klinsmann was very interested in adding Donovan, but the Bayern board of directors wasn’t keen on buying a player who is perceived to have twice washed out of the Bundesliga. This led to a discussion between Bayern and Los Angeles about a loan deal with an option to buy. Neither the Galaxy or MLS was interested in that.
What next? Bayern is expected to make a transfer offer this winter. As for Donovan? He was ready to make the move and is prepared to join Bayern Munich if a deal can be struck this winter.
No Champions League for Altidore (yet)
You probably heard about the hat-trick Jozy Altidore scored for Villarreal (you didn’t hear about it here because hat-tricks against semi-pro teams didn’t make the cut for news this week). Well, as much attention as that hat-trick received, what went relatively ignored is the fact that Altidore did not make Villarreal’s Champions League roster.
Should you be surprised? Not really. Some new tough guidelines from UEFA requiring teams to have at least eight home-grown players on the roster may have led to the omission, though his inexperience is probably a bigger reason why he wasn’t selected.
So if you were all excited for the Man Utd-Villarreal Champions League clash next week, don’t expect Altidore to come on and deliver a Goal: The Movie moment. That moment will have to wait.
Conde: Let me go after this year
The Chicago Fire boasts the stingiest defense in MLS this year and one of the key figures in that status is Colombian Wilman Conde. His unhappiness in Chicago was well-documented earlier in the season but he has stayed quiet and played the role of good soldier well.
Does that mean he is happy? Not exactly.
Conde told SBI last weekend that he intends to honor his contract this season but that he is hoping Fire coach Denis Hamlett will let him leave this winter, either to Mexico or to Europe. Conde is in the second-year of a three-year deal and is desperate to make a move abroad.
"I want to play in a bigger league and like any player I want to keep moving forward," Conde said. "I am being a good professional and honoring my contract but I am hoping that the (Fire) lets me leave after this year.
"I have spoken to (Fire coach Denis Hamlett) and I know he is a man of his word so I am hoping that will happen."
Conde signed with Chicago from Colombian club Millonarios in the summer of 2007, and links the reports of his unhappiness in Chicago to his anger over feeling that he was lied to with regard to his contract.
"There were certain promises made to me when I came here that were not kept by the former president," Conde said, referring to former Fire team president John Guppy. "He lied to me. That’s what happened and that is why I was very unhappy at the beginning of the year. I wasn’t happy with my contract situation, and it’s something I am hoping will be resolved after this season."
And for those of you asking, yes, Conde would leave via transfer, not via a release.
Schelotto plans on coming back in 2009
Columbus Crew playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto is enjoying an MVP season and has no plans on making it his last season in MLS.
Schelotto spoke with SBI on Wednesday and he stated very clearly that he wants to be back in Columbus in 2009.
"The league has the option on the contract, but if it is up to me, I will be back here," Schelotto said. "I am happy here and comfortable here. This is a good team and a young team and I will stay if the team will have me."
Schelotto is likely to miss the Crew’s game against Toronto on Saturday with a hamstring strain.
J,
I’m sure Klinsi is behind the move for Donovan. I think that he acted in a consulting role for AEG, so he got to see Donovan at training and in matches.
The Klinsi-Donovan tie is key to this potential transfer.
Schelotto + crew = hells yea!
Tony, that blog was wrong about Twellman:
“But Donovan was not the only U-17 starlet to find that he has signed with a warehouse club. Taylor Twellman, the 1999 U-17 FIFA Silver Ball winner signed with 1860 Munich with expectations that he too would get a chance to work his way into the first team one day…”
Twellman was too old to be in the 1999 U17 competition, and did not win the Silver Ball. Beasley, if I recall correctly, was the Silver Ball winner at New Zealand ’99.
Twellman was at the University of Maryland in 1998 and 1999. I don’t even think he was really in the pool until he went to Germany in 2000, after he left College Park.
For those who don’t think he will succeed. You forget that he will be playing with a world class players and early in his tenure he will probably play lesser teams. Also, as for playing time, I don’t think Bayern will spend the money for him just to have him sit on the bench while he is in his prime. I know Bayern has plenty of money, but why would they spend 10 million dollars for a player whose future is now when they could invest it on a player who spend it on a young player who has great potential. Bayern is a world class side not only because they’re rich. They are also smart.
Conde is performing above and beyond this season… it’s a shame he’s wanting to leave, altho i was more then keen on releasing him at the beginning of the season due to his attitude… BUT, his performance has changed my attitude and would like him to stay….
however if he wants to leave i say the Fire should take a bid from a mexican or euro team if one is made…. get some much needed allocation and allow space for the remaining defense to fight for… Robinson, Wollard, Marmol, and Washington all are looking to get a spot on the defense… i would include Guiterrez and CJ but i wouldnt be shocked if they retired this season… wow that would open up some space…
LD would do well to move to Europe soon… he’s clearly hit a ceiling here in the MLS and needs more challenges…. best of luck to him (and the USMN with his, and all our talent in europe, development…
Schelotto is pure class and im glad he’s in the MLS… unfortunately for the Crew O.o…. but his attitude towards the crew and to this league is spot on what we need from foreign talent…. he’ll stay if the Crew deem him worth keeping?? of course they’d keep him… if they didnt a slew of teams would be filling out the paper work for his services…
Y’know – Wherever LanDo goes, I hope he gets some Champions League games, and if that means a playing on a Dutch team vs sitting for Bayern, then fine.
One consideration with Spain v Germany: I don’t know how well he speaks German (and most of them speak English anyway) but Donovan speaks Spanish well enough to be interviewed on Univision after the Gold Cup games, so he’ll probably do OK shopping for groceries or going out to dinner if he were in Spain.
I’d love to see Donovan give it a shot at Bayern. Hopefully before that he can help us get one more fluke MLS Cup before he leaves.
With Klinsi as the coach and ex Galaxy assistants on the staff, it’s probably the best place he could land in Germany….
Beckenbauer has also been quoted as saying nice things about him also….
Fred speak heap big truth.
Btw, I can’t wait for Landycakes to pull his ballerina act — or, better yet, the throat cutting gesture — in Europe. He’ll get his clock cleaned, and without the benefit of a sycophantic ref to cover for him …
I hope Donovan realizes that Munich is colder than Leverkusen.
The day Donovan actually exerts himself in order to be better is the day that the English press gives their national team a fair assessment. It’s a shame too, considering his talent, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re coddled by the US Soccer marketing gurus as the nation’s Golden Boy from Day One…
I think Landon would thrive in La Liga, his game would be “magia” in Spain. Lets hope wherever he goes he gets a chance to shine! Since his GF calls all the shots, im sure she would be alot happier in Spain, then Germany.
landon can make it in germany..if he couldnt i dont think klinsman would want to pick him up..
People keep mentioning Werder, IF (a huge if) Donovan goes to Werder, itll be for nothing AND he will be rotated as a striker.
Werder although quite successful is not a financial powerhouse like Bayern and tends to get its players on the cheap (i think the most recently that theyve paid was 7 million for Diego?). I would expect that the MLS would demand a whole lot more for the top goal scorer. Also i dont think Donovan would be happy being rotated around. Strikers, although a strength in the past, are a bit of a weakness currently at Bremen and they are still searching (and hopefully have found it in Pizzaro) for a goal poacher.
Granted that whole episode with his wife’s brother nearly being killed while in Germany is nearly enough to make anyone want to pack up and move back home
===================================
What happened??
Criticize Conde for wanting to move abroad while praising Donovan for wanting the same? Sounds like hypocrisy to me.
Donovan should bring lots American made tampons and pads with him. German made ones are apparently inferior.
On a more serious note, Donovan’s improved mindset and skills should be a key in making his third time abroad a success. He’s just not Bayern Munich material though without Klini’s backing. How about Werder, Schalke, or Hamburg? More realistic targets if Klinsi is not really a believer in Landon.
listen up soccer junkies, jozy will surpass claudio reyna as the most successful american player ever, even though tab ramos was the best but not the most successful
landon is the real deal. there is no one out there that has his quickness, separation, he has very good vision of the game and can play either in the mid or up-front. i agree with the “big fish in small pond” but he is older now and feels that he can play with the big boys, and he can
while its clear Landon had the skill back then, he definitely didnt have the heart of drive. Granted that whole episode with his wife’s brother nearly being killed while in Germany is nearly enough to make anyone want to pack up and move back home. I dont know why this angle of the Donovan transfer story isnt even considered. The man came home to take care of his family in a time of need. Maybe now his home situation is in a better state so that when he moves again he can focus all on the business of football
As a Bayern fan, no thanks Landycakes. Enjoy the rest of your careeer with LA. And how about some goals in South Africa, huh?
This is the best news you’ve had all week Ives. I like this new empty the notebook thing. Donovan can play in any league in the world he just has to find the right situation that suits him best. If he commits 100% I believe he could play a role as a starter for Bayern or at least a good sub.
Ives…if Conde leaves, would it be a situation where the Fire/MLS would be selling his rights since he still has another year on his contract? Or would they be releasing him but maintaining MLS rights? I’d imagine it’s the former.
or, better yet, Wuppertaler SV:
http://www.sonic.net/~jtdwyer/abseits/clubs/wsv.html
Donovan is a big fish in a small pond, without the stones to even *try* to make it in a better league. Hopefully Bayern loans him out to Eintract Trier, or the like
I firmly believe Donovan would be a force in the Bundesliga. As a second forward behind Toni or Klose, with Ribery on his left and Schweinsteiger on the right… I say that because I don’t think Bayern will be that strong with too similar players holding the front line (Klose/Toni). He would be ridiculous there, especially with all the attention having to be put on Ribery..
and here Donovan is being talked about in a move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe and all you pathetic Donovan-haters still find a way to talk sh!t.
I’m all for him going to Europe as long as he is a regular on the team. Eddie Johnson’s move has been a disgrace. (Note to Coach Bradley if you happen to be reading this: The national team is for players who are “in form.” Calling up an out of form Johnson to every single camp for two years because he had a good run of form three years ago is a joke. Fans are losing patience, two words: Kenny Cooper.
Posted by: JVC-RSL | September 12, 2008 at 06:26 PM
__________________________________________
Breaking News: USMNT supporters would rather see Kenny Cooper in the lineup than Eddie Johnson!
I don’t know why it’s always Germany for Donovan. To me, it seems like his skill set would be better in a Spanish side or a top Dutch side like Ajax or PSV. If he could find the right team, I really think Spain would be a good fit.
I’m all for him going to Europe as long as he is a regular on the team. Eddie Johnson’s move has been a disgrace. (Note to Coach Bradley if you happen to be reading this: The national team is for players who are “in form.” Calling up an out of form Johnson to every single camp for two years because he had a good run of form three years ago is a joke. Fans are losing patience, two words: Kenny Cooper.
Defo wont get playing time at Bayern over Klose/Toni, also dont think (and its not personal) that he has what it takes to play in the Bundesliga. Perhaps in a lower table La Liga team or even in France but i just dont think hes a Bundesliga type of player. I guess time will tell.
GBS is pure class. A lot of these “big MLS names” can learn from him.
this is a very interesting installment ives, hope it continues
Maybe Donovan will play midfield instead of forward? There seems to be a bit more room there. I’d play donovan ahead of Ottl, for example.
Another factor here is that Klinsmann is the coach. I’m sure he watched LD play for the Galaxy while living in SoCal. Not that he would gift LD a spot but it will definitely be easier to break into the team under that coach.
I am really REALLY surprised that Landon is open to Germany. Of all places, I thought that would be the last spot.
I guess I’m glad to see Dallas isn’t the only front office rumored as being liars…
🙁
Ives:
fair enough
With the Donovan news, I just skipped over the Altidore news. Too bad he’s not on their CL roster. Some disappointment there, but he’ll get there some time. I’m not worried.
Yossarian, your reasoning doesn’t make sense. Donovan wants to go. He can read also. He sees who is getting playing time and who isn’t. And yet he wants to go. He knows the task ahead of him, he knows already what training is like over there. And yet, he still wants to go.
You need to change your thinking. Landon has.
Tony, I changed it to “is perceived to have twice washed out.” Fair or not, that is the perception, and not just among American media and internet soccer fans, but among German soccer club officials.
As for Conde’s comments, he wants to leave after the year. He’s playing out his contract and wants out after this year. Not really sure what’s wrong with him being honest about his future. At least he’s no longer asking to be dealt to another MLS team.
Donovan, good luck
Conde, I think you may be a fool. Lied to with regards to your contract? Well then you should have read your contract. If the Fire are in breach of it then they’re in trouble. But it sounds like you just didn’t know what you were doing with regards to reading a contract or hiring a competent lawyer.
Schelotto, awesome, keep it going
Much as I love Lando, I don’t think he has the stomach for the Bundesliga. The interminable schedule combined with his USMNT duties, the intensive training, and the aggressively physical play doesn’t seem like his cup of java. He’s a very talented player who’s relatively content to be a pretty good player. He doesn’t have the fire burning in him to be the best. Germany and England seem to be the worst possible places for him.
Donovan will never play.
If Podolski and Borowski, who are German, cannot find playing time, then how will Donovan.
Here’s hoping he goes to Werder. Or Schalke. Or Gladbach.
Seeing as how Landon wants to go…I think he’ll give it a real shot this time. He is absolutely ready. Go get ’em, Landon!
Good stuff Ives. Thanks
Donovan Bundesliga wash out #3, coming right up
“I’ll stay if the team will have me” says the frontrunner for MVP. What a professional. He may tear up New England every game, and he may dive a little, but Schellottos got class.
Jesus christ, Conde has no idea what it means to be a good professional. Opening his mouth yet again, saying he wants to leave the team while the club is fighting for the playoffs? What a freakin joke. I am no Fire fan, but I would sell the guy to whatever club that offers what the deem a reasonable amount. He is a good defender, but the way he acts surpassses what he has achieved.
Where will Donovan play? Podolski can no even get games at the moment but he will be transferred very soon. Is this a good move for him with the WC so close? Soccer forums/blogs are going to be crashing if this move comes to fruition
“the Bayern board of directors wasn’t keen on buying a player who had twice washed out of the Bundesliga.”
This is a gross misrepresntation of his tenure, but nothing will ever change people’s perceptions.
But what the heck: I watched every game LD played in Germany but one, and in several of them he was the best palyer on the field and earned psoitive notices from Kicker Magazine.
As for the earlier stint as a teenager, Letters From Vagbondia, a great blog, offers this:
“So, the FIFA U-17 Golden Ball winner found himself languishing in lower division reserve matches with little chance of ever seeing first team play. US national team coach Bruce Arena seemed to realize Donovan’s predicament and called him up for many US matches to give him a better chance to develop. I interviewed Donovan several times during his time at Leverkusen and while he never came out and said it, I got the impression that he may have felt that the club and given him the “bait and switch.” Sadly, some club officials started to respond to Donovan’s frustration by telling the press he was “homesick” when all he wanted was a chance to play.
But Donovan was not the only U-17 starlet to find that he has signed with a warehouse club. Taylor Twellman, the 1999 U-17 FIFA Silver Ball winner signed with 1860 Munich with expectations that he too would get a chance to work his way into the first team one day (a promise many warehouse clubs seem to make). While Twellman was the leading scorer for the 1860 reserve team, he was later told (after nearly a year with the club) that 1860 “doesn’t really use the reserve team to produce first team players, but rather buys them on the market. ” Unfortunately, this was becoming a trend all over Europe.
While they were not the only young players stashed in the basements of warehouse clubs, both Twellman and Donovan eventually worked their way back to MLS in 2001, where they’ve since made their mark as two of the best players in the league.”
Go go go go go Landon!
third times the charm, here’s to hoping Donovan gets one more crack at it
third times the charm, hope he gets one more shot