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Johnson heading to Greece on loan (Adu to follow?)

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Eddie Johnson 1 (ISIphotos.com)

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Eddie Johnson is on his way to Greece, and he may not be the only American heading there.

The American striker has been sent on loan to Greek club Aris Salonika (Thessaloniki is the Greek variation of the name), Fulham announced on Thursday.

Now reports have surfaced linking Aris FC with a move for Freddy Adu.

Johnson has struggled for playing time with Fulham even amid several injuries to the Cottagers forwards, so a move to Greece could be a move that helps give him the playing time he needs to develop into a candidate for the U.S. World Cup team.

Adu is also expected to make a move away from Benfica this winter after being returned from his failed loan stint with Belenenses. The reports linking him to Adu are new, but Adu has been hinting at a major decision coming soon on his club future.

Managed by former Inter Milan and Parma manager Hector Cuper, Aris FC currently sits in fifth place in the Greek League standings, which is the league's final Europa League place. Aris is currently tied on points with Kavala and Panonios in the race for that final Europa League spot.

Aris FC's first match after Johnson's arrival is on Tuesday vs. Atromitos.

What do you think of the Johnson move? Like the idea? Not so sure about Greece as an option? Can you see Johnson and Adu succeeding in Greece and making the U.S. World Cup squad?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Guys, we have to keep EJ’s career in perspective. First of all, it’s wrong to say that he stinks. Obviously, he is not as good now as we would have expected or wanted him to be. I think it’s a case of finding the right situation where in which he can grow in confidence and in skill, finding the net, and becoming a part of a team. He found that to some degree at Cardiff, and I think Greece may be that for him. However, he is clearly not the big time star we expected him to be, at least not at this stage. I don’t think it’s right to slag him. though, as he has never given us any reason to do so. He’s not tweeting all his drama or causing riffs at the clubs he’s at. I think the premiership is wrong for him, both stylistically and quality wise. He needs to work up to that level, and going from MLS to the EPL s a big learning curve. Some guys can do it (McBride, Clint, Reyna), but it took them time to settle become regulars even before they excelled. I’m nt saying Eddie belongs there at that level with those guys, but it’s fair enough to say he isn’t complete garbage.

    freddy, on the other hand, needs a wake up call. Here is a guy with UNDENIABLE talent. We’ve all seen it, from free kicks, to step over tricks, to threading passes, etc. However, I saw at the age of 16 this freddy adu kid had developed a star’s mentality with the ego that didn’t fit into the arenas he played in. Hs entire demeanor suggests an entitlement mentality, based on the idea that he is some sort of talisman. Honestly, just like with child actors, eventually freddy will have to drop the idea of who he thinks he shold be or should have been and reinvent himself as a footballer. Let’s face it, although he had shown immense talent for a 14-16 year old, the rest of the players around him have the sam talents. You’re not a kid anymore, freddy, so use twitter to keep your fans involved and stop acting like one posting about every decision and training session you have.

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  2. All that adds up to little to no pressure for EJ, something he’s never shown the ability to cope with. Should be a good move for him.

    you think so 😉

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  5. Why does everyone keep saying World Cup with these two… what they really need to worry about is not sucking anymore.

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  6. For 100K a year I would. That’s about it.

    Nothing is going to make up for his lack of skill and extremely slow/limited soccer brain. It is what it is.

    To hope for different, and to not understand why EJ can’t compete at a high level is the problem of posters and their lack of knowledge. Nothing more…nothing less. EJ is what he is an dno amount of hope is going to change that fact.

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  9. Am I the only one who thinks it’s terrible idea for these two underachievers, over hype guys to be together? I think both of their biggest problems is they believe what those around them tell them, instead of their coaches. I think if one moved here it’s good, but the two of them can potentially poison the water for each other by telling themselves they are better than player x, and the coach just doesn’t like us cause we are American. On the flipside, I will grant you that the opposite could be true, and they both realize this is a 3rd strike for them and they use each other as motivators and help with the culture change. Who knows, but I personally don’t like it

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  14. Hey guys, im greek, fan of Aris FC.

    First of all, we are happy that we ‘re gonna have one (or maybe two) USA players in our team.

    To be honest, lots of people here, doubt about the potential success of Johnson’s signing for Aris, mostly because there are tons of negative comments for him around the web, coming from fans of Fulham FC and Cardiff.

    At the moment our team has 5 strikers: Abreu-Uruguay (he is leaving though any day now), Koke-Spain, Campora-Argentina, Labriakos-Greece, Daly-Ireland but there was an obvious need of a new signing as the team stuggles to score. As i can see things, Koke will be the one first team striker in the 4-4-2 formation that Hector Cuper uses, and the other one will be one of Johnson or Campora. I hope Eddie will prove to be better than Campora and get regular time football at our club, which will hopefully get him in the USAMNT.

    Freddy Adu on the other hand is a player that i would personally like a lot to see in the Kleanthis Vikelidis ground, as i have heard a lot for him in the past years. The team has a strong need to sign an AML and Freddy appears to be just ideal for the place. I have heard though, that he is not so good playing as an AML but he is more of a AMC. Is that right? Anyway, i think if they both land in Greece they will adjust better in life here.

    Some more things that i will like to comment.

    -Unfortulately Jeff you’re not gonna get a “Τζόνσον” jersey as jerseys here are in latin alphabet.

    -The Greek league has an average Europe quality, about the same level as the Dutch one. Aris FC is among the top-4 Greek sides, along with OSFP, PAO and AEK.

    -Nightlife in the city of Thessaloniki is pretty damn good, and thats a common problem for the club, ‘cos many players like it ;p

    -As of the post that Greece is a strict place to play, i disagree. Anyway…

    Greetings from Salonica, the city of God

    Reply

  19. but maybe that is exactly what is needed. see example of kids screwing up and being sent to outward bound, or military school and getting their head screwed on straight. if this turns out to be true on both fronts, this could be a blessing in disguise; for both EJ and Adu.

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  20. you know EJ’s been playing and scoring for Fulham reserves? I know it’s not ideal, but that really isn’t riding the bench (in the literal sense)
    Adu on the hand… well just hope his seat’s comfortable, b/c that is all he does (oh and twitter about it)

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  26. Adu won’t take that pay cut, and neither will his agent. He’d find just as much success in Scandinavia, Belgium, or the lower leagues in Europe. I’d love to see him come back to the MLS, but unless he lights it up over here, how will he attract European clubs and not be seen as a failure? He HAS to stay in Europe, it’s imperative to the success of his career. I’m not bashing on MLS, just saying he’d be seen as a failure to come back here and not try to make it with another European club just like Donovan.

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  27. As a greek and fan of ARIS i hope Adu comes too! we have a very fast team and our coach (Hector Cuper) likes fast players that mark everywhere! they will get their chances (playing time) cause atm we need a CF and a ALM(Adu)! so… i hope the same with you! see them on your national team! 😛

    Semper Fidelis!!!

    p.s. i don’t know if i can post a link here but if i can… enjoy!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbJZ8T0tsrI

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  29. “Can you see Johnson and Adu succeeding in Greece and making the U.S. World Cup squad?”

    Yes.

    All it takes is a couple games of good form to explode back on the USMNT scene. Look at Beasley, who went from oblivion to soccer blog star in only 4 games. I wish Johnson the best of luck, he is loaded with talent. I only hope the same for Adu as he finds a team that suits him well. The more fringe players we have in form come March the better it will make the 23-man World Cup squad.

    Am I the only one dying for some spanikopita and tzatziki right now? OPA!!!!

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  31. Actually, this is not Greece… This is ARIS. ARIS Saloniki. And, yeah, we’re talking about the God of f War.

    Be patient, you’ll see…

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  34. these guys are fighting an uphill battle from day one. Even some of the marquee players in the world need time to adjust to various leagues and cultures.

    Its too early to throw eddie johnson away as well…at the same age luca toni was playing in Serie B

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  36. Adu should come back to MLS. The league should sign him to a developmental contract. He obviously needs to be developed as he’s a train wreck.

    Eddie Johnson? Anywhere but back to MLS, please. Don’t want him here. He’s just no good.

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  40. Greece is a VERY unforgiving place to play. Greek clubs are historically VERY strict on their players…strict diets and curfews. My college roommate (from Iceland) excelled in Norway and the English Championship, but couldn’t deal with the strict code of conduct in Greece and flamed out after 6 months. Fwiw, Adu’s late night antics are well known in Portugal. If he doesn’t shape up, he doesn’t stand a chance in Greece.

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  41. good move for Johnson…..not sure what would be good for Adu at the moment

    if you guys were wondering…the quality in the greek league is probably just under the eridivisie and portuguese league, but above the danish league

    we will see what happens

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  42. Obviously he wasn’t good enough at this point (maybe ever) for the Prem or Championship. Keep moving down until you find your niche EJ. Get better, then move up. If only you figured this out BEFORE 6 months out from the WC

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  43. Wait, I didn’t even catch the Adu part. Hope springs eternal, I guess, especially when you have a brilliant youth tournament under your belt, and you’re still under the drinking age (at least in this country).

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  44. I want to kick myself…when Ives announced the EJ move was official I almost posted, “Gee, I wonder if this is where Adu has been hinting he might be going?”

    Of course, rather than be recognized as a Soccer Nostradamus, I decided to pay attention to work instead…damn…

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  45. Him and Adu are both in situations where they need to find themselves amid failed loan and buy spells. If they manage to get on the same team (or at least near), expect them to help each other out and hopefully the two of them can find their form.

    Not the biggest fan of Johnson but as usual, I love getting proven wrong when it comes to Yanks.

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  47. The Fulham article about the deal was a great read.

    It’s up to EJ to show the goods. Problem is, he might have a tough time acclimating to the Greece regardless of the quality of play. There’s a lot more to it than “is EJ good enough.” What he does on the pitch is not 1/10 of it!

    I was about to say that there’s no way he adjusts, since the language difficulties he had at Fulham should have been less than those he’ll face in Greece. But the Greeks might accomodate him more than the Brits, who knows?

    Good luck, EJ. Earn that paycheck.

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  48. well said..they are both still young. granted 25(eddie johnson) in europe is awhole lot diff expectation wise than in MLS(just being real) but wow come on guys.

    And omg, Freddy is 20!!! please let him get to 25, before the “his career is over” statements. same for jozy. i mean the last thing these guys need right now is discouragement from they’re own “supporters” lets lift up our yanks chins, not lower them. just my .02

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  50. pretty funny, but what you expect. If he does better than that, good for him. I like to keep expectations low and be pleasantly surprised as opposed to getting disappointed.

    Reply

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