Photo by ISIPhotos.com
Michael Bradley appears to have played his last game for Borussia Moenchengladbach, with a transfer expected to be completed before the close of the current transfer window.
Bradley has been linked with a handful of clubs in recent weeks, and Moenchengladbach's signing of Michael Fink on Thursday set the wheels in motion for a winter transfer for the 23-year-old Americans.
Galatasaray has emerged on Friday morning as the favorite, with multiple reports from Germany suggesting Moenchengladbach has already accepted an offer from the Turkish club. Other clubs linked to Bradley include Sunderland, Palermo and Spartak Moscow.
Here is my Fox Soccer take on Bradley's unsettled club situation, a situation that could be cleared up as soon as this afternoon.
An announcement could come as soon as later today, and a move for Bradley will likely mean a return to regular playing time after his recent two-match stint on the bench for Moenchengladbach.
What's my take on the latest developments? I didn't see Bradley going to Turkey, but Galatasaray has been after Bradley since the summer, so it's safe to say he'll take on a major role upon his arrival. Galatasaray has struggled this season in Turkey, but is a traditional powerhouse that won't be afraid to spend money to return to European competition, which Bradley has missed out on since joining Moenchengladbach from Dutch side Heerenveen.
What do you think of Bradley potentially moving to Galatasaray? Still hoping he winds up in one of Europe's Big Four leagues? Like the idea of Bradley playing for a team that could play in Champions League and Europa League in coming years?
Share your thoughts below.
That’s a silly comparison. Landon adds quite a bit of value to MLS, both on and off the field. So of course, him staying has it’s positives. It’s a win-win for American fans (that aren’t complete Euro-snobs).
MB going to Turkey is not even a lateral move. It would be a great experience for sure, but not going to buy more exposure to the top 4 leagues
Really?
would rather he play in MLS then in the horrid league in Turkey
Bob Bradley to manage Galatasaray…..here it comes……
+1000000
Thanks for the laugh. Liverpool is poopy
You call it dumb, others call it justified.
Reminds me a lot of Jozy going to Hull City. In no way was that an upgrade in clubs but in terms of exposure was a fantastic thing for FSC viewers and 99.9 people were positive for the move as a result.
Calling it dumb makes it sound like you’re a soccer-snob/elitist more than anything. If the general fan just wants to watch his or her favorite player regularly after seeing rarely any club games while at BM, I see nothing wrong with that.
They should want that. I think it’s brilliant.
You can’t overlook the one important fact: it’s OUR own domestic league.
Regardless of quality, there is positives to arguably our best player playing within OUR league for exposure and fanfare.
Especially considering it didn’t/doesn’t seem to be holding back his competitive ability in the World Cup or when he was on loan.
I get your point but comparing the two are simply apples to oranges.
I stand behind these comments as well
Interesting point about how transfer activity around MB indicates his “value”. I think though an assessment of his value as a club player is separate discussion from best USA NATS midfielder (I don’t think he is at this time and all the same think he is quite valuable given his two way abilities and will be for some time). For what it’s worth, NSC indicates that a few mid to upper table Bundesliga clubs (#3-#11) are/were interested so perhaps the market does value him somewhat higher than formal transfer offers might suggest.
relax bro. I was joking on what everyone ever says on this site. As if 1. MB has any say in who wants to buy him and 2. Like he would even play at those teams. It was sarcasm get on my level. Everyone just picks a random EPL team and insists that a rumored up yank would fit there perfect. I was just going with the flow.
F U man.
Liverpool is easily top10 when it comes to prestige and global supporters.
Anyway if Bradley does well for Gala and scores and helps them win the league or advance in the CL/EL I can see him heading to the PL or Serie A for a big club. Not a Top4 club but a no5/6 club. If I were him I’d stay til 2014. And leave after the WC. 3.5 years in Turkey will do him good. Besides he’d be 27 by then and ready to take on anything.
JS, you think that they brought in the other player because he is better? no they brought him in because he is cheaper and they will be relegated to B2 next year, gotta cut costs where you can. Strictly a financial move, not a technical move.
MB – Go to Turkey and get the big fat pay day so that your dad doesn’t have to work anymore and he can quit!
Thanks
The way BMG has played this year, you can wonder how much time MB spent actually playing soccer compared to trying to simply help destroy (not successfully enough) the other team’s attack.
Wherever he ends up, I hope it for a team that is not simply overwhelmed in nearly every game. In the Netherlands, he showed he is good two-way player at that level. I would like for him to get back to more balanced role.
Of course, money matters, any professional athlete has only about 10 years of high earning potential and that can be stopped short at any point through injury.
maybe its just me, but im willing to bet a fair number of people are down on this move because they wouldnt get to watch him on FSC in the mornings if he goes to Galatasaray.
Which if you’re following along, is a really dumb reason to be down on it.
1. Barcelona
2. Man Utd
3. Real Madrid
40. Galatasaray
145. Borussia Monchengladbach
692. Liverpool
does Mikey’s contract run out at the end of this season? if not then he has little choice about where he goes right? unless he wants to reject wherever it is they want to send him and ride the bench till the end of the season/next season.
(SBI-Players always have a choice. No player is going to go to a club they don’t want to go to because it could mean a half season on the bench. Why sign a 4-year deal where you don’t really want to go?)
Lol. One of these guys again. Attitude, work ethic, “unprofessional”, too many tweets/fb status updates, his profile pic is too controversial…
If BMG get relegated, he would be on the move, anyway. I could be wrong, but I think a lot of players have transfer provisions in their contracts in the case where the team is relegated. If I am wrong, I am sure someone will let me know…
My understanding is that its not his choice. BM has to accept the transfer fee before Mikey can enter into negotiations with a team.
(SBI-Wrong. No team would buy a player who doesn’t want to play for them. That’s absurd. The teams that will get serious with Moenchengladbach about Bradley will be teams that Bradley has already identified as places he’d go to.)
but i’ll support it. especially if BMG get relegated
im not a huge fan of this move.
You changed it didn’t you..
You may be right. But funny how so many on here are begging MB not to go to Turkey because of the quality of the league, yet they cheered when LD (a more important play for the USMNT) signed a four year contract to stay in MLS so he could go on a two month loan to Everton. See how things don’t add up?
It’ll help build his character. Matches in Turkey are battles (I lived in Istanbul for several months) and will really test someones mentality. Unfortunately, I’m not concerned about our players mentality (we’re Americans, we want to win everything) but more so our/his technical ability. Would’ve loved to see him in Serie A or EPL.
I am a big soccer fan. I am originally from Istanbul and know Glaatasaray very well. If Bradley really choose to play for Galatasaray, it will be great for his career. It is much better for him to play for Galatasaray than playing second class teams in La Liga or Premier League. He will experience the pressure and the demand of the fans, winning mentality and get lots of European exposure too. If he proves himself in Istanbul, he will be heading for one of his dream team in 2 to 3 years. Also Istanbul is a great city to live in.
on the other hand, I have seen reports of going to Turkey turn into not much more than bait for other clubs to step up. It’s possible MGB and MB are using this to have others pony up their offers
Yea something tells me landon doesn’t care.
I have only heard good things about Galatasaray from former international players. It is not a team or league that I personally care much about, but it would not necessarily be a bad move for him. And who is to say he would stay there a long time.
Exactly!! Going to Turkey WOULD be a step backwards. Outside of 2-3 teams the quality goes way south after that. Borussia set the transfer fee high at around 6 million US, I think, to discourage the bargain shoppers, especially those in the EPL. Which is too bad. AS one of the few Americans who could easily get a UK work permit, it would be a shame. I think Bradley’s game would improve and his style of play would be a good fit for an EPL team.
Someone should do a 1-50 club prestige ranking so we avoid all of these fights (or have something more conrete to fight about). Ives? Gala is probably two steps up in club and one step down in league from where he is now. This feels like a good “showcase” move. He will get a lot of attention from the big(est) clubs if he does well at Gala.
I think Turkey is a great move. For example, there isn’t a complete dominance by two teams, Trabonspor (did I spell that right?) is a good team and recently won the league. Beskitas is a fabously good team coached by Bernd Schuster, and features tons of great players. Secondly, the atmosphere he’ll get used to playing in (especially in the derby matches) will make playing in places like the Azteca a walk in the park. Thirdly, we all want him to go to a big English club, right? Gala happens to have a freakishly talented player who is being heavily scouted and linked with Liverpool and United in Arda Turan and playing alongside talent such as him will only see Bradley get watched more by scouts from all the top clubs throughout Europe.
Sad but True…
Take note Landon Donovan.
Better to be playing in Turkey on a short contract (1.5 years) than spending four years of your prime playing in the world footballers retirement home (MLS).
“WE” see him as one of the better players on the field…but the fact that they brought somebody in to replace him…as well as no German suitors have seem to made a move for him…well that should speak volumes about Bradley. I’m sure they know more about players in their league than we do. I like jr., I really do…I wish he was in the EPL so I could catch a game or two…but the fact of the matter is maybe we are looking through rose colored glasses…
The transfer fee BM is asking for is extremely reasonable considering how highly everyone around here rates him.
That said, as tough as it may be to accept, maybe he just isn’t as good as people profess him to be.
How else can we explain the lack of rumored quality offers from higher teir clubs, especially, considering his modest transfer fee?
I’ve had the debate with people on here about the current US’s “best midfielder” and by suggesting Holden/Jones now hold that title, I’ve been met with a ferocity of anger questioning by assessment for Bradley.
Time will tell with his transfer situation what the ownership football community thinks.
Michael Bradley to Tottenham Hotspur!
re re re ra ra ra galatasaray galatasaray cimbom bom!!!!!!!!!
would love to see him restore a bit of glory to GS!
It’s not a setback as far as the actual club goes–I’ll give you that. Gala is stable, has money, and a great fan following. And I’m sure that he would appreciate the salary increase.
What I am worried about is the league. The Champions League is great and all, but teams only play there–at most–a few times a month. I think that Bradley has the talent to play at a mid-table club in a top four league, where he’ll face serious competition most weeks. I think that, in the long run, that would serve him better.
You’re obviously not an “enlightened” football fan if you think that Michael Bradley has gotten to where he is today because of Daddy.
Great point but that Starikov is a young kid playing for an average Russian side. Bradley is a seasoned albeit young vet with WC experience and history of scoring good goals even as a mid-fielder going to a top Turkish side.
Yes this isn’t the PL or Serie A or Bundesliga but it’s not the end of the world. Not like he will be there for a decade. It’s way worse that Donovan still plays in MLS when he could be a star in the PL or La Liga.
HE is only going there b/c his dad’s the coach.
Is the move to Gala confirmed? British media earlier today was reporting Sunderland were preparing to spend some Darren Bent money on MB. Gladbach had confirmed Sunderland’s interest according to the report…
Should take Pienaar’s vacated spot @ Everton. I’m glad I’m here.
Not that it means ANYTHING, but Michael Bradley is already on the wikipedia page for Galatasaray:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galatasaray_S.K._%28football_team%29
Ives – Under what indications are you referring to in your original article when you say “Bradley looks destined to go to England” – by all accounts only one team (Sunderland) were after him in England and they bought another player instead…
Sounds more like a hopeful comment when you have a few other teams in other countries making serious bids it sounds like.
Starikov didn’t even make the USMNT roster against Chile and he plays regularly in Russia. Eddie Johnson had success in Greece.
Bradley’s standards should be a little higher.
Exactly. We’re talking about 1 of the biggest clubs ever in Turkey. Currently they’re fighting for a EL spot but you know they’ll find a way back to the CL either for the fall or next fall. Bradley can make a name for himself. Even if he went to Sunderland he wouldn’t play in the EL and same with Palermo. This is SHOT.
that would be the case if he went to Norway or Belarus
Wonder if this would be more of a loan move… doesn’t seem like the best career switch when he’s already in a top 4 league