Photo by ISIphotos.com
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
When the U.S. national team closed out its historic run in the Confederations Cup on Sunday, one got the sense that it would only be a matter of time before European suitors came calling for some of the team's key contributors.
It only took one day.
Midfielder Ricardo Clark and forward Charlie Davies, two of the U.S. team's standout players in the tournament, received interest from European clubs almost immediately following the conclusion of the Confederations Cup final, where the U.S. fought valiantly before giving up a two goal lead and falling, 3-2, to five-time world champions Brazil.
Clark, who enjoyed a stellar tournament despite missing one game to suspension, is being linked with Rennes. The Houston Dynamo midfielder's agent revealed that the French club has inquired about Clark.
Although negotiations are probably in the early stages, if Clark does depart from MLS to Rennes, he would join U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra, who signed with the club last summer.
While Clark is trying to latch onto his first European club, Davies is attempting to make the jump to a bigger one. Davies, who currently plies his trade in Sweden with Hammarby IF, scored the opener in the United States' 3-0 victory over Egypt, and was a starter for the remainder of the tournament. Davies' speed and nose for goal have reportedly drawn interest from clubs in Germany, Holland and France.
What do you think of the European interest? Would you like to see Clark join Bocanegra at Rennes? What league/team would be an ideal move for Davies?
Share your thoughts below.
Ricardo Clark is average, and I don’t expect he’ll become anything more than that. He’s already surpassed in our pool of midfielders by Bradley, Edu, and Feilhaber, with Torres in the discussion. He’s good depth, and proved why he is miles ahead of Kljestan and Mastroeni, but I’m stopping short of anointing him as any solution.
Davies reminds me more of Eddie Johnson than I think anyone would want to admit. He’s still struggling with his touch and doesn’t make decisions quickly enough. But, our system being what it is, we are in love with his pace and his work rate. Hopefully he ends up at a club that can refine his technique and sharpen his football brain.
For me Ricardo Clark was the revelation of the tournament. He seems to have ‘exorcised the demons’ and is demonstrating why he should be in the USA line-up when healthy. I realize most will not agree but I thought he turned in a MOTM performance against Spain and had it not been for his work against Brazil,…we would have been completely overrun in the midfield. He showed a lot more composure on the ball during the tournamnent. I think he can step into a number of 1st division teams in Europe and start,…besides,….he is 27 and his developmental period should be over.
Colin,
I don’t think it is fair to say that ManU. treated Timmy poorly. On the contrary, it valted him to the top of one of the best leagues (if not the best) in the world. ManU needed a more seasoned GK and EVDS was the answer at the time. No shame in that. Along the way, Tim has developed nicely, signed a great contract and is considered one of the best GKs in the world. Who knows,…a return to ManU. may be in the works after his latest performance.
“Training with a team in Europe is far better than playing in MLS. Get out as fast as possible.
Posted by: Fire BB”
Tell that to Beasley, Fire BB. Beasley played better for the US when he was with the Fire than time at both Man City and Rangers, where he hasn’t gotten regular time.
I bet Clark is seen as a bargain, which is why he has gotten attention compared to Gooch, DeMerit, and Donovan.
I don’t care where any of these guys go, as long as they get solid playing time. If that means the MLS, then so be it!
In other news… I wonder if ManU is regretting treating the best goalkeeper in the Confeds Cup, Tim Howard, so poorly.
Im actually agsinst all these US players going to different clubs right now unless your situation is currently dire (Beasley, Adu). World Cup is in one year and we need our players in form! Now is not the time to fight for your place in a starting 11 with no guarantee you will even start ever. Shoot! I would even favor a move where Adu, Beasley, etc go on loan to MLS clubs for a season until the world cup. Playing in MLS is much more beneficial than riding the bench.
Davies to Holland would be a very smart move for him. Davies has the raw talent, a pretty good first touch and some solid instincts. A good polishing with a Dutch club for a couple of years would mean that Davies could really solidify his place in the National Team.
I know there are a lot of Clark haters out there, mostly remembering his reckless challenge in the Italy match. But in the Egypt, Spain and Brazil games, Clark was a beast. He made a few sloppy challenges and needs some work on his first touch, but he could do well going to Europe. Rennes in particular would a solid choice because Bocanegra can really help steer him along in the right direction. Even if Clark spends the first couple of months with the Rennes reserves, he will benefit greatly. At this point he needs to take the next step to develop or crash.
Davies needs to spend a season in the Holland and I guaranty he will get noticed by a team of significance. Please, don’t sign for some team because they are a ‘large’ club and then sit on the bench not getting minutes. We have enough players currently that are in that situation and are going nowhere career wise…….
@Pat
Just for the record, Derby is NOT a bigger club than Hamburg. Just sayin’.
Hammarby want 6 million euros for Charlie according to the Swedish press. But its probably more like 3-4, the swedish press always inflate fees. Even Hammarby fans think 6 million is too high.
Wheres Donovan going???
SICK!!!! Go get em boys!!
@understood:
You’re right, but we need all our players to improve as much as possible between now and WC10. Clark may drop on the depth chart when/if Jones’ paperwork goes through, but right now he’s our best DM since Bradley has moved up the pitch. And if he’s our second string, that’s a good sign for the USMNT’s depth, which got badly exposed against Brazil.
It’s too bad he’s only getting interest now, but I think he can still benefit from a move overseas. Better late than never!
I like Charlie Davies staying at least one more year in Sweden to prove that it’s not a fluke season, that he is good and should move on. As for Clark, I’ve been a big fan but think he should ease in to Europe, such as the Nordic leagues or the Netherlands.
Obviously for national team development, going somewhere they can play and develop as players is best.
But, these guys have a limited time to maximize their earning potential. From what I understand, they can make more moving to Scandinavia over MLS, regardless of the quality of the play. Look at JOB, he was toast before he was 30.
*make USE of his untapped potential.
If you’re getting excited about this, just look at what has happened to Adu. Signs with a great team and is farmed out to a lower division and rides the bench. This has done him NO good. He’d have been better off staying with DC United IMO. Is it better to sit on a European bench or play in the MLS? There’s no simple answer, but as far as match fitness goes, certainly it’s better to be playing regularly. I’d love to see these guys sign with a Championship club like Reading or the like. It’s certainly better quality than MLS and they’d most likely get playing time on a regular basis. I don’t rate the Dutch league that much higher than the MLS tbh. I hope Jozy gets his move to Fulham and I hope Adu can find a good club to make sure of his untapped potential.
Clark could stay or go, not really sure it matters as his ceiling isn’t that high anyway. He’s maybe a #3 or #4 defensive midfielder when everyone is healthy and I don’t think much will be asked of him next summer other than “give us 10-15 minutes and don’t make any mistakes.” The defensive midfielder position is the least of my concerns as it happens to be a position where the U.S. is quite deep and getting deeper all the time.
As for Davies, I believe the Bundesliga would be the best fit for him as the offensive pace is high in that league and it’s not overly physical like the EPL or Serie A.
Hammarby are looking at other strikers. They brought in some brazilian guys on trial and are looking at a young forward. I think CD is gone. He’s done well in Sweden and its been a good move for him but its time to move on.
Those two guys played well, especially Davies. A little surprised like others about Clark, but he has talent.
For me though, Landon Donovan is our best US player and proved it again this tourney.
Donovan is the MLS’ star player and out of anyone on our USNT, Landon is the one who needs a look from a decent EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga or Serie A club above all others IMHO.
Great news for Clark. I think he HAS to move now. He needs to get paid, and his reward for his great play this week could very possibly be playing Pikachu on the bench with Adu and Torres. I can’t imagine he competes for PT with MBJr, Edu, and Jones while playing for Houston.
Davies is trickier because, as everyone has mentioned, he has to play wherever he goes. Exciting, though.
I look forward to these rumors for the rest of the summer. Anyone have any updates on Gooch’s fake/real contract? Is Watford going to cash in? And also, when does the Jay Demerit movie come out?
As a USMNT fan, that is great news for both.
Though a bit disappointing that clubs willing to sign Americans seem to still be limited to teams with productive American’s already on the roster (Everton, Fulham, Rennes, Reading, etc).
Still, good news for both.
And as a Crew fan, Clark leaving Houston would be great.
aaron-
fair enough. your entitled to your opinion.
I just don’t think he would see much success in Ligue 1. I don’t think Scandinavian leagues are a huge step up, but if he is dying to go to Europe I think he’d benefit from a slow adjustment into European football. Bigger team is not always a recipe for personal success. Of course, I am just speculating. I don’t pretend to have the crystal ball that others on the blog do 😉
I wish him the best if he does leave for France…or elsewhere.
Big deal.
They both need to start and play regularly in Europe for it to really matter. They can only improve if they are playing at a high level. (see Dempsey/Edu)
Good news. I knew it was a matter of time before they drew interst from Europe. I hope Clark goes to Rennes and Davies wherever he ends up.
But the bottom line is they HAVE to play. If they are going to sign a big deal and sit on the bench, then it will be a huge waste. This season is the most important season for the players. They need to stay healthy and stay on the pitch.
Great news, only improves the US MNT and their own careers. Hope it happens and I agree with previous posters, lets hope they get playing time and don’t ride the pine.
Great news for both.
@Nico –
What good would a Scandinavian move do for Clark? Are those leagues honestly a step up (if at all) from MLS? I see no point, as these leagues are not big launch pads to the bigger leagues. France and Holland are both solid leagues, but definitely not on par with England, Spain, Italy and Germany. Rennes would be a good chance for young Clark to possibly move on after the WC to a bigger club. Going to Scandinavia is just as obscure and long shot as MLS.
while clark can improve tactically and maybe his range of passing can improve slightly playing on a bigger stage…soccer players usually dont make big strides technically into their mid to late 20s…by that age you pretty much are what you are technique wise…so kudos to him if he can get consistent playing time and play against better competition…but i wouldnt expect him to get that much better…bradley…edu…hopefully jones eventually…we have that position covered…clark is a good 4th string option if everyones healthy
Davies really impressed me this tournament, he’s starting to become one of my favorite players. He SHOULD be at a good club in Europe, that would be good for him. He can easily become one of the greats.
I see Clark as unequivocally good enough to play in Ligue 1. A Rennes move would be beneficial for both team and player. I hope it, or something like it, materializes.
The fewest goals of any major European league are scored in Ligue 1. Clark fits in well with that ethic. He’s a dynamic defensive midfielder with good pace and touch.
Remember after Feilhaber had his breakthrough in the 07 Gold Cup, the move to the bigger club in the bigger league he got from it ended up setting his career back 2 years, so I’m all for guys moving on to better things but I dont want people, Davies especially, riding the pine in the Bundesliga from now til the 2010 WC.
I’d like to see both players move to Holland. Ligue 1 is a step up from MLS, no doubt, but with Clark’s range and workrate, his game would develop much better with the inventors of “total football.” His technical game will get better, and playing against more tactically aware players will help him improve his in-game I.Q., leading to fewer reckless challenges down the road.
And since the Eredivise and Ligue 1 have turned into the top feeder leagues for the big four countries, either league is a great place to make a start, develop, play hard, and earn their way into one of the top leagues. Davies is in a fairly good situation already with Hammarby, but Clark can’t develop any more in MLS; he needs to move across the pond ASAP.
my point being…these kids need to stay with teams that can actually use their services. At least they will get playing time where they are.
I’m all for it if they can get some playing time.
If they play then it is great if they sit on the bench or get loaned out…no thanks!
What league/team would be an ideal move for Davies?
Villarreal or Monaco.
You have to understand that most of these teams make money doing this sort of thing. They buy the talent then loan them out. At the end of the contract they end up making money. Most of these teams have no interest in making them 1st team starters. If the prospective player ends up making a splash with the team he is loaned to…then guess what. The Team holding the contract makes a bigger profit by having the new team buy out the contract of course the product is now worth20-30% more.
Its a business.
It doesn’t surprise me. It was obvious that these guys can play. I’m curious about the kind of offers that are going to come Onyewu, DeMerit, and Donovan’s way as well.
It’s a tough thing… What’s best for the team is that the boys ALL play first team football, wherever they can.
However, for them, they can make way more money and get better training, even if they’re on the bench somewhere, and is that not better for them (the individual) in the long run.
Think of it in our non professional soccer terms. You can be a high ranking manager with a small and/or crappy company, and “make do” or you can accept a lower “titled” position with a MUCH larger company that can pay more and give better benefits. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
Hopefully, any one that makes a move, as well as the Beasleys, Adus, and Altidores of the team can find some first team football this fall.
Training with a team in Europe is far better than playing in MLS. Get out as fast as possible.
Great for these guys and they need to go out and get what they can, there’s no certainty that there will be offers later on.
However, as it relates to the national team, it could affect their club playing time less than a year away from the World Cup.
I agree that the most important thing, as Davies says in the link, is “time on the pitch”.
Of these two I think it’s more improtant for Davies to get quality time with his new squad. Our midfield is pretty deep so he can take a little time to settle in with his new club. Our forward position isn’t quite so deep. I’m ok with a Ching/Altidore pairing but prefer Altidore and Davies (I’d still like to see how a Adu/Altidore pairing would do – maybe after we are qualified or in preWC build up match).
If Donovan doesn’t get a look, I’ll be VERY disappointed. He was magic in this tournament….and I was a a hater before. Well done son…
what about Jay Demeritt.. i keep hearing about a EPL move.
both would do great in continental clubs. wish i knew more about clubs there to id where they should go, but playing in Rennes with Boca would be make a switch much easier.
Davies to the Netherlands (Holland?), he can develop his technique and make a jump to one of the the Big 3 leagues.
I would love to see Davies in the Eredivisie, the attacking style played is a breeding ground for top Strikers, ROnaldo (#9), Ibrahimovic are two examples (well above Davies obviously)who started there before moving on to bigger things. Best option for him for me
Cool. I would like to see Davies in Germany, would be a nice fit. I am a bit surprised about Clark, not sure he is ready for a top European league…I’d think the Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, or similar would be better fits for him.
That is great news for both players. If Clark can play in Europe, and the key word is “play”, not be on the bench that could really help his game. As would Davies playing for a somewhat higher profile European team.
Well, I’m a little leary. They’re getting playing time where they are, and are also performing well for us. I don’t want them to go to some “higher profile” European club, ride pine, and turn into another Beasley or Adu. I think they should both weigh these moves very carefully and inquire very directly as to what these club’s plans are with them. They’re not desparate.
I have to say either Holland or France would be good for Davies, with the preference for Holland. Davies would be a good winging forward for the USA and either of the two could help him develop into that. Then again, if he truly wants to become a second striker for the MNT then I think Germany would be a nice fit for him.
It’s about time Clark also got a club. He needs some help with touch and passing so he doesn’t give the ball away in advanced positions. It’d be nice to see how he’d do in France.