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Everton still hoping to extend Donovan’s loan deal

Landon Donovan (ISIphotos.com)

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Everton manager David Moyes revealed on Friday that he is still hopeful that the Toffees will be able extend Landon Donovan's loan deal beyond the originally intended agreement.

"I've not got that confirmed yet and I can't say exactly if that's going to happen," Moyes told Sky TV. "If we can make it happen we would, and if Landon wants to stay, which I think he does, we'd be really keen to keep him.

"There's no guarantee yet, and I won't know that for a little while longer, but there is a chance."

Donovan is set to play what was supposed to be his last home game of the loan spell on Sunday vs. Hull, but if Everton can work out a deal with MLS and the Los Angeles Galaxy, Donovan could potentially stay with the Toffees longer than first agreed to. Donovan had been originally expected to return to MLS in mid-March.

What do you think of this development? Hoping Donovan stays at Everton? Think MLS should bring him back?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. SBI Troll said…

    Everton and someone else needs to just pony up and buy his club rights. Forget about loans, spend the cash!

    ————

    The transfer window is closed, I dare say, so an extension of the loan until the close season is all Moyes can do. Mandon would be crazy to leave to come back stateside, extend the loan and put in a transfer request after the 3 and out at the WC.

    Predictions:

    Ingalen 3:1 L

    Slovenia 2:0 L

    Algeria 1:1 D

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  2. I am not going to be angry if Donovan goes. Perhaps because I intuitively rationalize it with the same arguments you give.

    But I don’t think it is very valid to postulate that Donovan has “done more for MLS” as the deciding exoneration. That is a relative and dubious comparison (for the most part).

    Beckham’s decision caught many of us by surprise, and seemed to directly counter statements he made like “i’ll be back” and “committed to MLS/soccer” etc. It hurt even more when many of us diehard soccer-in-the-US/let’s-grow-MLS fans saw the potential damage that would result if he left. It felt like betrayal.

    With Donovan, we actually identify with him more. WE want him to succeed “over there” because succeeding overseas means WE succeed (on various levels)

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  3. Yeah, I mean…of all people, Bruce should understand Landon’s position and how much it means for him to playing (and playing well) in the EPL. I understand where Bruce is coming from, wanting his best player back, but…for one thing, the Galaxy need to stop being so dependent on one player. And I just do not see any logic to the idea that playing back in the MLS is going to help better prepare Landon for the WC.

    Come on, Bruce Almighty…

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  4. Couldn’t disagree more. Dononvan has given a 100% effort when playing in MLS games as well as by representing the league in off-field events. He has continued to do so for several years = “continued committment”.

    While Beckham on the other hand accepted a King’s ransom in contract payment, while playing half-heartedly in many games, only to show little short-term–nor even hint to at long-term committent to fulfilling his contract…by askign for and accepting over seas loan’s to other teams. Simply, he is openly acting as if he is not interested in any way in continuing to be a teammate of his Galaxy mates nor a superstar attraction of MLS—wich is what he was brought here to be.

    Donovan has continued to act in a committed and professional manner to his team and league. Beckham from day 1 has been at best “fickle” about his committment.

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  5. It is interesting take. I read that BBC was reporting that Bruce was open to David’s proposed loan extension for Landon. It may also be just a business strategy.

    Bruce, as a former US Head Coach, knows the value of having LD play in the EPL.

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  6. This is by far the best place for Donovan to be for the next couple months AS LONG AS HE CONTINUES TO GET SIGNIFICANT PLAYING TIME. With all the people becoming healthy for Everton and them not being in the running for the UEFA Cup any more there is some question as to just how much playing time Donovan continues to get, especially if he misses the occasional sitter like he did last week. No reason to come back to MLS until after the world cupif he is going to get playing time at Everton in my opinion.

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  7. Thank you, Nicole. It’s so frikking irritating seeing this falsehood keep popping up.

    DONOVAN DID NOT CRITICIZE BECKHAM’S LOAN

    DONOVAN DID NOT CRITICIZE BECKHAM’S LOAN

    DONOVAN DID NOT CRITICIZE BECKHAM’S LOAN

    DONOVAN DID NOT CRITICIZE BECKHAM’S LOAN

    How many times do we have to say it for people like “BetaMale” to actually comprehend it?

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  8. He sniffs smelling salts (or whatever that is) pretty much before every game. I’ve seen him do it several, several times.

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  9. He has been relatively anonymous in a few Everton matches as well (most notably, both Europa league clashes). I’m not sure it is as much about Lando and his work rate in those matches as a breakdown in the middle of the pitch… and his center mids are getting overrun by the opposition. If he’s focusing on his positioning and keeping team shape, it makes it difficult for him to affect the match in those situations, where he’s getting no service. He is usually given more leeway to roam on the USMNT, but I think he’s trying to fit into the scheme more at Everton. (Would you agree, SBI?)

    It’s one of the reasons why I like the idea of moving him into the withdrawn striker role if Charlie can’t make it back. It’s too easy for him to get taken out the game if he’s on the wings.

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  10. Donny seems off. Hope it is just temporary – happens to all players. If he is healthy and handling the double season, I’d love to see him stay at Everton where he can continue to sharpen and even develop.

    Raising his game by playing for Everton is good for the USMNT – which is good for US soccer – and ultimately when he comes back to the MLS he comes back as a better player, and a player that may be able to help his teammates pull themselves up in class. A great thing in the long view

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  11. Donovan should stay with Everton. There is better competition in England which inturn is only going to make him better- and with the world cup looming around the corner… what better simulation could there be.

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  12. To those of you who suggest LD should return to MLS because staying at Everton would make him tired, I suppose you think that anyone who plays in the EPL, La Liga, or anywhere else in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, or other countries with tougher leagues, should also come to MLS in March to rest up for the World Cup. The notion is ridiculous. LD has arguably been playing some of the best football of his life, starting and succeeding in a top league requiring him to stay fit and compete against the level of talent he will see this summer. So let’s upset that apple cart and bring him to sunny LA where he will play MLS opponents and travel all over continental U.S., assuming there are any MLS games? Rule: You don’t mess with a good thing at an important time. LD should stay if at all possible.

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  13. Not sure if this amounts to anything or not but during the pre game show on ESPN2 before the U.S./Netherlands match they showed a shot of Landon on the field next to a few players. It looked like he put something up to his nose that may have resembled smelling salts (or something like it). At the time, I thought it was a bit odd but didn’t think too much of it. However, considering the way he looked (not so great) during the whole match, I keep thinking about that scene. I had taped the match but unfortunately deleted it so can’t go back and look. Does anyone else still have it taped who might be able to go back and look? Again, this might be nothing at all but you never know.

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  14. That’s an idiotic and self defeating goal. All the good French talent doesn’t stay in France. All the good Brazilian talent doesn’t stay in Brazil. All the good Dutch talent doesn’t stay in the Netherlands…

    When MLS can pay the same wages as La Liga, Premiership, etc… then we won’t have any problem keeping our best players in the US. Until then, MLS should focus on developing talent and selling it when it peaks (as Donovan certainly has…)

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  15. ps. though i’m not a huge fan of donovan, i have enjoyed watching him play with timmy at everton and hope he goes back at some point if he doesn’t stay now. get thee jozy to fulham and i will have a team i really like.

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  16. having given it 4 seconds of thought, i have to say that it would be a hypocritical move. yes, the situation is different, but the outcome is the same. we are judged by our actions in this world, not sweet intentions.

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  17. Since people are already bringing it up again, let me reiterate that Donovan never criticized Beckham for extending his loan. In fact, all of his quotes came from before Beckham even left for Milan. They were released to the public after Beckham extended his loan, but were made long, long before…

    All of Donovan’s criticisms were about Beckham while Becks was with the Galaxy – during that season.

    So we can leave the “Donovan will be a hypocrite” comments at the door. Everything else, of course, if up for debate….

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  18. Everton DO have something to play for: Europe next season. It’s a longshot, but they’ve only lost 2 of their last 13 and are making a push for seventh.

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  19. I’m a Galaxy fan, but a USMNT fan, first. I think LD needs to stay, and that it’s completely myopic for MLS to not allow him (by asking for the kingdom in return) to transfer.
    The MLS should aim to be seen as a league that has turned into a quality developer of talent. With Stu Holden, Dempsey, LD, Jozy, maybe Clark, and even Adu and EJ, the league rep seems to be emerging out of the bush leagues and into some semblance of legitimacy. (Although the current labor strife SERIOUSLY diminishes the candle, in my opinion.)

    Allowing their best player to move on to succeed, and even excel, in one of the world’s top leagues can only enhance the reputation of MLS. And what is really the only thing that might lure better talent to the league (aside from a lifting of the hard cap, and more money to players…which, I know, is unfeasible of yet)? Their reputation for good play and talent development.

    Let him play to the level of his ability…
    …which, in my opinion, is among the best in the world.

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  20. I hope Nike doesn’t realize that he is wearing an UnderArmour product under his uniform instead of Nike compression shorts. Then he’ll have legal trouble to be worried about

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  21. But a disproportionately shrill response IS kind of tough to understand. I doubt Landon criticized Beckham by arguing “hey, buddy — I would understand a lack of commitment to the team and desire to abandon us for better competition had you ‘put in your time’ before, but given the general purpose, blah, blah, blah . . .” Nope. It was much simpler than that. You signed a contract that says you’re committed to this team, we depend on you, and you give 100% for this team. It had nothing to do with MLS’s grand strategy, and doesn’t excuse the fan groups acting out.

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  22. I’d love to see him stay, but I agree that he looks worn out, cons of playing in the EPL I guess. Either way Landon is a solid player and i’ll be watching him play wherever that may be.

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  23. Donovan deserves more than 11 weeks. He’s spent a lifetime trying to get where he is, into a club that wants him, starts him, and plays to his strengths. Something tells me Don Garber is in no mood for bargaining right now, which makes it even harder for me to sympathize with him.

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  24. Agreed, but judging by the support of soccer in the US, you can see why they don’t care if he leaves.

    I will be watching him at sold out QWest in about 1 month…hopefully.

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