Just when you think he's out, they pull him back in.
On the same day Everton manager David Moyes admitted hope that a deal could get done to extend Landon Donovan's loan, Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena stated emphatically that the Galaxy has no interest in doing that.
"We're not interested," Arena told MLSNet on Friday. "Landon will be back here March 15. We're being consistent with everything we've said all along."
Arena didn't completely close the door on a loan extension though, pointing out that an extension could potentially happen if MLS was forced into a work stoppage by the as-yet unsuccessful labor negotiations between MLS and the Players Union.
"Obviously the collective bargaining could change that," Arena told MLSNet. "If we didn't have a league going on we would certainly entertain the idea of allowing Landon to stay there."
What does this mean exactly?
In theory, Donovan's loan could be extended all the way to April 15 with Donovan still being able to return to MLS because the MLS transfer window closes April 15. The March 15 deadline was the deadline the Galaxy and Everton agreed to in order to have Donovan return and train with the Galaxy ahead of the start of the season.
Now, if MLS labor talks go nowhere, and a strike takes place, the Galaxy could let Donovan stay in Everton all the way to April 15 before having to make a final decision on whether to let Donovan stay for the rest of the Premier League season. At that point, we would be talking about little more than a month before Donovan would depart for U.S. national team World Cup camp.
Hey Micah. I totally agree with you and where did I say anything differently. I was focusing on Landon but am well aware of all the players you pointed out as well and I know this bothers many people on here that the US can develop soccer talent. Stop the presses. And they are currently developing more talent as we speak with the likes of Troy Perkins, Chris Pontius, Sam Cronin, Omar Gonzalez, Steve Zakhuani, etc…
And these players weren’t these highly touted American busts that were brought up in an European camp that everyone says will tear it up because they played in the Real Madrid, Man U, Arsenal, etc.. youth system fo rthem only to be mediocre to average players. Jovan Kirvoski comes to mind off the top of my head.
could develop
Oh. Thanks for the info. I never knew one man in his early twenties to develop over 200 players by himself. (Insert Sarcasm) So you are telling me why he tore it up in Cali all the D.C. United players where like “Hey Landon. Great move. Can you teach me that from 3000 miles away. Let me jump on iChat and watch you do your move.”
And for your looking out for #1 statement. That is exactly what he did this past December when he signed a 4 year deal with MLS paying him roughly 9 million dollars and gave him the chance to shut up his critics by allowing this loan to Everton to tear it u. And for all these people talking about form. The guy literally got off the plane stepped onto Goodison Park and almost instantly became one of their most productive players. So I don’t believe the MLS hurt his form or development and he is getting paid nicely by the league for being the face of it. Did anyone ever stop and think that the guy might actually enjoy playing in LA full-time rather than London.
Well then, Ian, you are some sort of saintly altruist, so clearly the analogy doesn’t apply to you.
Most folks, however, would say they’d like the good player to stay on their team. And it doesn’t make them self-absorbed to say so.
They should just work out an exchange deal: Everton can send over one of their young players like Vaughan or Coleman to the Galaxy for the duration of the time Donovan stays. Obviously it’s kind of out of left field but it’s an interesting idea, anyway.
Thanks! Interesting that the best (possibly only) way Donovan could secure a loan (much less a transfer) was with such give and take. Sign for 4 more years in exchange for this very short loan – what a gamble! I’m really happy that it seems to be paying off for him.
0% chance a team would pay that much for landon.
major*
I don’t understand why everyone is so angry with MLS and Galaxy for wanting Donovan and Everton to uphold their part of the bargain. Is staying at Everton best for Donovan? Most likely, but that’s not the issue.
I think extending the loan is a question of whether there’s some sort of resolution to the CBA thing. Arena said as much.
However, on the question of whether Everton will buy Donovan, I’ve got to believe that Donovan had a minimum buy-out clause put into his latest contract. I don’t know if Everton will have the money for that in the normal course of events, but Manchester United is going to make a serious effort to get Jack Rodwell over the summer, and if that happens it’s going to take more than 30 million pounds, which is way more than enough to get Donovan.
Arena is an idiot!!!! Donovan needs to stay at Everton!
I’m so glad you censored such filth!
If I’m in the rec league and I have a B or C team, and I get a great player, that should clearly be in the A league…then he should play in the A league. For a myriad of reasons.
If MLS can’t work out a deal that allows Donovan to stay at Everton (assuming he wants to stay), it will just be another sign to good young players that they should do everything in theoir power to avoid MLS. The best player in the U.S. can’t play in the EPL because Don Garber says no? Everton obviously likes and needs him, so they should be able to strike a deal with MLS.
Not harsh at all. Your comment lets us know immediately that you’re an idiot…and that’s invaluable to us all.
Little known fact: Donovan’s mother is not even 5 feet tall. She’s 4 ft. 11 in., I believe.
I’m not Ives but what I can tell you is he had 2 years left on his MLS deal with no loan provisions, so Donovan had no leverage to get the league or the Galaxy to loan him out.
By doing a contract extension, LD got what he wants – a move to Europe. In its current form its temporary, but after the WC assuming he does well his buy price will put a nice pocket full of change in MLS’ pocket. While making LD much richer – deservedly so, because what he’s done as an American on this loan is just shy of amazing.
On your last point, Holden went straight to Bolton on a free. His contract with MLS was up so his rights weren’t held by the league or any club.
what happens if there is a strike does that mean i get screwed out of more money? and the season gets delayed?
april 15 is better than march 15. i hope he at least stays until then.
+1
Wow, Landon would be such a better player if he spends 10 more weeks with Everton;) Get real, Landon is a helluva player no matter what jersey he wears – the experience has probably helped him, but playing in a few more EPL games won’t determine our World Cup fate, as some are implying.
Fair enough. Let’s examine why. Conservatively MLS and the Galaxy would be looking at a $13-$15 million transfer fee for this guy. That kind of money buys a TON of talent in MLS. Is Donovan good? You bet. Is he good enough to offset the acquisition of 3-5 players who would be in the top 10% of the MLS talent pool? No way. This is NOT a good move for the Galaxy. It’s not a good move for the USMNT. This would serve both teams, but Arena in his short-sighted “me or nothing” approach doesn’t see the big picture.
If the MLSPA calls a strike, I would expect all members of the Association to join, including Landon.
hoping for a work stoppage that will harm hundreds of mls players–all of whom make a lot less money than ‘cakes–for the sake of one guy is really not too supportive of mls.
I so disagree with you. We as in USA our minor domestic leagues and maor domestic league mls, has produce tons of good pleayers over the years. I have no idea what you have been watching.Players who started off in the MLS or other US minor professional soccer clubs, who are good. Donovan, Dempsey, Bocanegra, Howard, Rogers, Guzan, Ching, Derasario, Keller, Rimando, Goodson, Bradley Jr., Edu, Clark, Wynalda, Balboa,Adu, Ralston, Agoos, Mcbride, Sanneh, Pope, Lewis, Beasley, and others.
he is a shorty, maybe he took steriods or something like that that usually stops growth.
If he’s doing the right thing than why isn’t he clamoring for David Beckham? It’s like he’s supporting England more than the US. Landon has done much more for this league than Beckham yet they have supported Beckham more in his bid to stay on the England team than they ever supported Landon for anything.
I guess MLS, Garber and the Galaxy are supporting England in this World Cup…traitors and hypocrites!
I think you got it backwards DClee…Donovan helped MLS develop WAY more than they helped him!….He’s been the face of MLS for almost 10 yrs, and owes it to himself to look out for #1.
MLS held two one-year options on Donovan’s contract. So, he was not out of contract. They could have just re-upped him for two years and not permitted him to go on loan. The new the contract was in consideration for allowing him to go on loan. He gets paid a lot more too. MLS has already given him something they didn’t have to give him. Donovan would have had to stay in MLS for at least two more years no matter what.
As a fan of Landon and MLS, I don’t know who to side with but it would be nice if there was a work stoppage the was resolved sometime in April so Landon could stay at Everton longer and that this years mls season wouldnt fold enitirely:)
you, and the galaxy are hypocrites! LD owes MLS nothing! He contributed more than ANYONE in this league for what it is today, and did it being rediculously underpaid compared to what he could have got overseas! Let him enjoy the fruits of his labor! MLS, Garber and Arenas are the hypocrites, not Donovan!
SBI, could you explain Donovan’s contract situation before his extension? Was he still under contract for another year? Or did MLS somehow own his rights even though his contract was ending? What kept him from signing a premier league deal without the extension? Holden went straight to Bolton.
Landon staying…good for Landon, good for USMNT, good for fans, good for Everton, good for US soccer generally…bad, very bad, for LA Galaxy.
maybe landycakes wants to come back but wants bruce to tell everyone for him.
Newcastle?
Agree, and don’t… A return to MLS gets him closer to goal and better practiced at finishing scoring opportunities. But form is born not just of confidence, but also of the demands of the game happening around you. The pace and quality around Donovan right now are making him better. It’s a “form” thing, not “development”.
Still Donovan’s obviously really good at picking up where he left off at whatever level, so I’m very comfortable with him tearing it up from the get go in MLS this year!
1. If I’m Bruce I’m saying the same thing. Gee, do I want to keep my best player or let him continue his European adventure? From the perspective of Bruce, The Coach… this is a no-brainer.
2. On the other hand, Bruce… you know you have next to no say in this, so why put your foot in your mouth in the media again regarding one of your players in Europe.
What I see here is an opportunity for the MLS to make some insurance money IF there is a strike. Despite what Bruce wants, (and who in their right mind in the MLS as a coach is going to say “no thanks” to adding the U.S. best player of all time to his roster), the MLS calls the shots here. I can imagine that if these strike talks extend more than 7-10 days, the MLS will step in, extend the loan and pick up some insurance before they are left in aless than adequate negotiating position.
Like many on this forum, I’m a Country before Club fan. But it has been great seeing LD play well in blue. I’ll be watching the Toffees vs the Tigers later in the best U.S. vs U.S. game since Fulham vs Tottenham a couple of years ago when Gooch was there and EJ, Boca, Dempsey were at Fulham.
Two points i would like to make:
1) While I loved watching him play for Everton, I think the chances of him getting hurt are likely higher in the EPL than in the MLS, and for that reason wouldnt mind him coming home to hone some skills and prep for WC2010. It may be selfish, but i think most of us agree that WC2010 is the our main priority when it comes to Donovan and this decision to extend this particular loan.
2) On the surface, and correct me if you think I am wrong, his transfer value isnt likely to increase as a result of coming home. While it may increase with a terrific performance in South Africa, by not playing more games at Everton his transfer value cannot escalate further. Think of it this way, if he extended his loan by 5-6 games and happened to go on a tear as he had the first few weeks of this loan, his valuation would increase outside of many teams’ (everton included) transfer budget. So in the long-term, this may help his chances of moving to Europe permanently!!
I called this the day he signed the deal. That deal was never insurance for Donovan. It was a set of handcuffs put on him by MLS, and we will never know what he could have accomplished in Europe. It was obvious from the start.
(SBI-You’re missing the plot my boy. If not for the deal he never even gets to go to Everton. Now, he’s played well in England and more teams in Europe are interested in him and a summer move is much more of a possibility than if he hadn’t gone on loan at all. If he doesn’t sign the deal he’s basically waiting until after the 2011 season to have any chance of playing in Europe because no teams in Europe were going to buy him at MLS’ price without having seen him succeed in a European league.)
20 million and everton can have donovan. I can be the agent
i hope a strike happens because i think what the players want will make the league more attractive and will make for a better league. The current mls system barely interests me.
well if he wanted to stay this is why it’s dumb to sign the deal with mls. he could get the same money at Everton probably and MLS would be more inclined to sell him rather then keep him another year and get nothing. regardless he’s a grown man. he signed the contracts. he’s the one that has to be happy with it either way.
Wow–people are really flying off the handle here.
1. I still think back to the player than Ben Olsen USED to be, an attacker, a winger who had a bright future and then…the injuries in England…while on loan. He wasn’t injured b/c he was on loan. But b/c he was on loan, MLS and DCU got nothing. So….I’m not a real big fan of loans. I don’t oppose them on principle when it comes to our best players, but I see substantial risk.
2. I think the argument that this hurts the USNT is weak. Yeah, he might be a bit sharper. Or not (check the latest USNT match to see how much sharper he seemed). He could also get injured. Or worn out and look for us like Dempsey did in most of the Confed Cup.
3. It’s real simple folks: if Donovan told LAG and MLS “I want to move to Everton” than a deal would get done. But he’s not saying that. Of course he’s publicly implying to Everton that he’s having a blast–that’s the smart thing to say (not “I really miss LA and can’t wait to leave the rain to get home!”). I have no idea how he feels. But if he really wanted to play in the Premiership fulltime, he could make that happen easily.
I agree with a lot of posters that are saying F Bruce Arena!!
I think the key there was “seen and ENJOYED”. I feel the same way.
BRUCE KNOWS HIS TEAM WILL SUCK without landycake!!!!!
Yes, but also because I want to see the MLS players get the deal they deserve.
By bind do you mean living in Southern California and making $2 Million a year? Oh the horrors.
Anybody else hoping an MLS strike takes place just so Donovan can stay with Everton a little while longer?