photo by Chris Brunskill/ISIphotos.com
Jay DeMerit's search for a new club looks to be nearing its end, with Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg interested in the U.S. national team defender.
According to multiple reports, Wolfsburg manager Steve McClaren is lining up a move for DeMerit, who is a free agent. DeMerit has yet to partake in an official match since the United States' loss to Ghana in the World Cup, and his last club match was with Watford back in May.
Wolfsburg has lost both of its games this season, surrendering six combined goals to Bayern Munich and Mainz 05, a disappointing track record considering the money the club spent to sign Danish centerback Simon Kjaer. If he signed with Wolfsburg, DeMerit would be battling with Kjaer and German international Arne Friedrich for playing time.
What do you think of this development? Think DeMerit would be a good fit at Wolfsburg? Still hoping your favorite MLS team grabs him before the MLS deadline?
Share your thoughts below.
Good for him. He’ll probably be getting good money. I hope he plays, but if he doesn’t it’s not the end of the world for the USMNT. He’s 30 and really should not be considered an option for 2014. Hopefully Gooch is still around, Goodson, Marshall and Spector are options there and hopefully someone from the Opara/Ream/Gonzalez/Agbossoumonde group steps up. He could be around for the 2011 Gold Cup if we’re short on CB depth.
I was really hoping my beloved West Ham would grab him. That would’ve been a perfect fit. He already is at home in London, they need all kinds of help on the back line, and he could be had for a price they could afford. Would’ve been a winner for everyone concerned. I’m surprised I never even heard a rumor of it.
There is nothing wrong with bringing in DeMerit, but the centerback pairing is tougher at Wolfsburg compared to AC Milan where Onyewu should be starting. Yes they have conceeded goals, but if your midfield is not protecting your centerbacks (no matter how good they are) they will leak in goals. DeMerit is good, but Friedrich, Kjær and Barzagli are no pushovers. Plus Friedrich also starts for Germany.
Gio’s not on the outside looking in. He has played against Man City, Young Boys and Wigan. He has played in two of three regular season games and started the Champions League away game. I don’t think he is in Harry’s plans, Harry has him in it. Did Altidore make the bench against Real Sociedad? Like I said earlier; its all about player development and they doing it; the proof is there. Dont hate but develop talent.
And how many of those Americans are under 23? All those Mexicans are 23 or under. Jonathan will play for Mexico don’t fool yourself. The reality is they are producing players; you can reel off Americans who are not playing (Altidore) or are not good enough(Spector) or injured (Davies) to show prove a mute point. Mexico is producing players dude, that’s the reality.
Gio is in Harry’s plans the same that Altidore is in Villareal’s–on the outside looking in.
Gio gets playing time in cups, qualifiers, and if he’s lucky a sub-spot during the EPL.
I don’t think it’s a bad place to be, considering the club and the players age, but I’d hardly say he’s in the managers plans, definitely not the first off the bench this season, and that comes after several seasons on loan.
Reyna?
DeMerit most likely will be used for depth. He has experience at a high level and he has international experience and his jersey might sell well to fans. I think he could start some matches wherever he goes in Bundesliga but i don’t peg him a starter. But i would love to be wrong.
Jothan had said before that he isn’t going to play for mexico hint no show in friendlys & its tru but let’s not get carried away ethier these mexicans gotta prove them selfs holden & edu & bradley have proven there selfs more I still haven’t lost faith in spector, altidore, davies. Davies was playing good when he was healthly. We also have plenty of goalies coming up mexico future in goal is memo who isawful.
True, but if they keep leaking goals then they’ll shake things up.
That’s why they’re bringing him in now.
Wolfsburg with Steve McClaren should be good. It’ll expose him to other BL clubs and even keep his EPL doors open.
Beat out Friedrich? He has a better chance at beating out Kjaer before Friedrich, the starting centerback for Germany. His consistency better be on point or else, he will be playing at fullback.
Thats five that does not include Gio’s brother Jonathan. Jose, the reality is they are producing players all over the pitch. Juarez is a fullback, Gio is a midfield/forward/playmaker, Chicharito is a forward, Vela is a winger/forward, Barrera I remember him from U20 World Cup in Canada a good winger; all under 23 years old and can only get better. The reality is they are developing young players and outside of Michael Bradley who is 23, Stuart Holden and Maurice Edu are 24 and 25 respectively, who are the young Americans playing consistent football? Vela might not be playing for Arsenal, but Chicarito is a sub @ United, Gio is in Harry’s plans @ Tottenham and Juarez is a starter at Celtics. Let’s face it, we are not developing enough.
I wouldn’t count him out yet. Kjær is obviously the present and future, but he could beat out Friedrich if he performs well.
As many goals as they’ve let up, I don’t doubt McLaren is looking for an answer.
Let’s hope he makes the move to Germany. This would be huge for him.
I hope he goes to shaclke another american in the champions league would be perfect.
its sadly true but they not that far ahead of us, all dey really got is chicharito barrera gio vela juarez. I just hope this u 20 players turn out to good players if we can get more dempseys and donovans that would be perfect. Our defenders outside of lb turn out decent.
its sadly true but they not that far ahead of us, all dey really got is chicharito barrera gio vela juarez. I just hope this u 20 players turn out to good players if we can get more dempseys and donovans that would be perfect. Our defenders outside of lb turn out decent.
yes, there have been US players in germany for a while, however I’d point out that jermaine jones has only been a US registered player for less than a year, and before Bradley joined gladbach it was really just cherundolo in the USMNT pool.
I never said this was “new” i just said that it seems bundesliga has more americans than england.
One can laugh about it, but Mexican football is developing talent and it shows with players moving. Its all about talent development.
He is gonna make cash, and probably play a match here and there.
Landing in Wolfsburg wont be a problem, starting and playing for Wolfsburg is where the question is. Onyewu landed with AC Milan, but didnt play before he got injured last year and even up till now, he has not played with grandpa Nesta starting. Good luck to DeMerit (he will come cheap), but he will have it tougher starting with VFL; their centerback pairing is going to be competitive. Kjær is young and there is Andrea Barzagli there too. So if DeMerit signs, he has his work cut out for him.
Jays a fighter I think he can make it 2 startibg 11 I never seen a game were he was aeful.
I was actually hoping he would land at Celtic since their back four has been terrible and Demrit would fit in nicely there.
But the Bundesliga would be better competition for him.
Amazing that after the good WC he had no spot in the EPL or Championship opened up.
it sounds like he will be in a battle for a starting spot. Given the reluctance of coaches to change their centerbacks often, it might turn out great or a dud depending on whether he is a starter, or not.
Saw another article on this that noted Schalke and Werder Bremen have interest as well. Also mentions “interest from Spain and Italy”, but I think Wolfsburg would be a great spot to land.
Umm, Patrick – Jermaine Jones has played in ther BL his entire life. The others, aside from Cherundelo are new to the BL. Aside from that, we have been sending yanks to the BL for the past 10+ years. It’s a great system to learn the game, specifically the technical and tactical aspects of the game.
Perfect!!! Now mexicans rnt the only concacaf teams moving lol, I hope he start games & doesnt play bench. now that more mexicans went to epl this is what we need one of our players going to top league
I’m just glad he’s close to signing. The Bundesliga would be a good fit for his style of play. Here’s to hoping it happens.
Think the combat nature of Germany would suite DeMerit well. I’ll just be glad to see him finally playing again after all this time.
You know, for decent out of contract players like Demerit, I think this is going to be the general plan in the future. Hold off past the end of the transfer window, wait for clubs to realize they definitely need shoring up in your position if they don’t want a miserable next four months, and then move to a higher club than you would have done had you moved inside the window. If this move does come off, it’s a testimony to Demerit’s savvy.
Germany seems to be the new england when it comes to US players. Bradley, jermaine jones, beasley, cherundolo, kenny cooper etc etc.
Wow that would be great for him, would justify the long wait. Hopefully he can help shore up their backline.
Would be nice to see him have a couple solid years in the Bundesliga and finish up back at home.
VW should scoop him up quick!! Vaya con dios Jay!