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After being a regular starter for Borussia Moenchengldbach for the better part of two and a half seasons, U.S. national team midfielder Michael Bradley days with the relegation-threatened German club appear numbered.
Bradley has come off the bench in Moenchengladbach's past two matches, with rumors swirling about clubs interested in his services. Now his club's manager has come forward with details on the club's plans, which involve selling Bradley if their price for him ($6.8 million) is matched.
Turkish club Galatasaray and Italian club Palermo have been reported as potential destinations, while Sunderland, a club I first reported as being interested in him last week, has moved on and is set to sign Ghanaian midfielder Sully Muntari.
Moenchengladbach has taken a major step toward life after Bradley by signing German midfielder Michael Fink on loan from Beskitas on Thursday. Now it would seem that it's only a matter of time before Bradley is sold.
Where will Bradley wind up?
The Galatasaray link is an old one from the summer so it's unclear how strong the interest in Bradley still is right now. Palermo is one of several Italian clubs that have expressed interest in Bradley through the years so a move to Serie A shouldn't be considered a surprise. Bradley has expressed his respect for Serie A in the past, and Italy and England are likely his preferred destinations.
Bradley may have to stay put if a sale or loan can't be worked out, but if he does stay with Moenchengladbach he could find himself on the bench for the rest of the season. Either way, if Bradley is still with the team come the summer, he would definitely be sold in the summer, with just one year remaining on his contract.
Where would you like to see Bradley move? Hoping he still ends up in England? Like the idea of a move to Serie A?
Share your thoughts below.
In a certain situation, not as a player. Please READ before you make a condescending comment like that.
If he was a brit he wouldn’t be playing in Germany
You mean an American getting playing time in Italy would be a good thing
Eh, maybe 67% right, I’d estimate. Fellaini really hasn’t been the same since his injury.
Shut up Fire Fan.
no one said he is crap. this kind of vitriolic attacking of people who don’t share the ‘ives’ perspective really drags this site down
Italy would be perfect. He could team up with Pastore in Palermo. He would function as a Felipe Melo, Daniele De Rossi type, for all of those saying that Serie A is too finesse – these two, plus Rino and others are the opposite of finesse, but they have on-the-ball skills and drive forward, which is exactly what Bradley does. And if Di Benedetto buys AS Roma, maybe down the line he can head there and team up with De Rossi in the middle of the park. But anyway, Palermo in February is a *lot* better than Wear-side in February . . .
The USMNT homerism has hit an all time high.
Bradley over Wilshere? Are you out of your mind?
I TOO would love to see Bradley go to Arsenal…since I am an Arsenal fan and all.
But you’re right, it’s a pipe dream. Wenger loves his 4-3-3 too much; he only deviates from it when he has to because of injury or major player rotation in a cup game. So Bradley would fill in for Song or Wilshere (which would allow Cesc to move up a little more forward because Song and Bradley together could hold down the defensive duties IMO), but Wenger wouldn’t adopt a 4-2-2 system or some variation to get Bradley and Song and Cesc all in there at once.
I also agree with you that I’d loveeee to see Denilson sold. I don’t think he adds anything to the squad except lack of hustle when tracking back defensively. IF Bradley was sold to Arsenal, he most definitely could hack it there and push for a starting role, but it’s not going to happen.
+1
I know, lol. 😀
Let me clue you in to a piece of life.
If you think you know something that so many other people don’t, chances are you are wrong.
Face it, if Bradley was as good as people on this board would have you believe, a number of clubs would be trying to sign him.
Right now, the second biggest signing rumor is from 6 months ago.
you lost all credibility when you put him behind Boca and Josy.
Why don’t people understamd just how good Bradly is? It is mind boggling
It has nothing to do with being more glamorous.
Holden is a better player. He is a better passer, better tackler, and a better support player.
David Moyes has expressed a big interest in MB. I think he would be a good fit for the club. I do not believe, however, that Everton has the funds to meet BM price of 6m US. Although MB has the age (23) a creds for a yranfer price above 4 million US,
You didn’t back up why you think those other players are ahead of Bradley. Also my statistic was relevant since it lays out a specific body of work over one season in a top euro league, the Casey comment doesn’t fit anywhere. I think you and others rate Holden, edu, etc ahead of Bradley because he’s not as glamorous and has less exposure than others. The fact is that Bradley has been by FAR the more reliable player for a few years now. You say, “Michael Bradley isnt ready for a top flight club” depending on how you define a top flight club, that is an outrageous statement
Huge usa fan but this dude is 110% right
Second best, no worse than third or fourth best even if you’re a hater, but yeah point taken, it is rather odd.
He would fail miserably in their possession offense.
I think there’s more of a bias against American soccer players in Latin / southern European countries. Yes Americans usually tend to get their fair chance in England these days, but culturally we’re very similar so that’s not surprising.
People like you are impossible to deal with.
Did I ever say Bradley was crap? No. Don’t put words in my mouth because you cannot handle the fact that he is not as great as you want to believe.
You can throw out a million statistics. Guess what, Conor Casey scored the two goals that put us into the World Cup. He still isn’t worth a thing outside of the MLS.
Michael Bradley is behind Dempsey, Holden, Jones, Donovan, Howard, Dolo, Boca, Hannehman, Friedel, Altidore. Personally I would put him below Edu as well.
I disagree. Wouldn’t compare him to howard, that seems an unfair comparison. and while Dolo and Holden are in great form at the moment, i would argue that Bradley is a better overall player. Holden may be a more ‘glamorous’ guy to like since he’s playing well and with the added exposure of playing in the EPL. but theres a reason MB played every game, and scored, in the WC (and its not nepotism, ok?)
Question: Which american-born player holds the all-time record for most goals scored in a season for a top-flight european club?
Answer: Michael Bradley
Personally, I’ve always thought Blackpool would be a good fit for Bradley. Or a team on the rise, like QPR.
He is also behind Howard, Dolo, and Holden at present. Would possible be behind a few other players if they had been given equal national team chance or the coach played a style that was to their strengths.
“England tends to bypass the midfield”
..what is this, the 90’s?
Is this really a problem anymore? If it ever was…
Holden played immediately at bolton. Landon played three days after arriving at everton. Jones started his first game with rovers, buddle did the same for ingstoldt.
Who would Bradley be replacing on Palermo if he were to go? They already have a lot of midfielders, and I think Pastore extended his contract with them and Bradley sure as hell isn’t getting playing time over Pastore, who has been spectacular for them this season. Nocerino is also pretty established in the midfield for them. Maybe Liverani?
Yeah Bradley is crap. Being the best player on a Bundesliga side means nothing. Scoring in the World cup, confed cup, and several times vs. Mexico is irrelevant. 16 goals in 57 appearances as an 18 year old for a major Dutch side? Not impressed? You people who rag on Bradley are unbelieveable. He’s BY MILES the 3rd best player on the USMNT behind LD and Duece, period.
+1
I agree that Bradley isn’t ready for a top flight club. If he went to a club like Bayern or a top Serie A/Liga/EPL team, there’s a good chance that he would have a nice view from the bench for awhile.
I would not, however, go so far as to say that he is downright poor in possession (conversely, I wouldn’t say that he’s good at it either). It’s certainly not the better part of his game, but he’s also been improving at it over the past few years, which is promising.
Now, as for grit and hard work only getting you so far. Every report and article I’ve ever read about Bradley has commented on the fact that the guy is an absolute workhorse not just during games, but in practice as well. You gain skill by working hard–plain and simple. Maybe he doesn’t have the skills now, but he’s still very young and having a good work ethic is something that’s pretty invaluable. I think that the rate at which he’s been improving over the past few years attests to that.
Italy finesse? The same country that invented catenaccio?
If he’s a slave, Liverpool would be the right destination.
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism/slavery/europe/liverpool.aspx
Alright, I am going to get flamed intensely for this, but so be it.
Michael Bradley is not good enough to play on a top team. To the comment above about Bradley being a good replacement for van Bommel on Bayern Munich, come on now.
It has nothing to do with American players being respected. MB could not hold van Bommel’s jockstrap in terms of futbol IQ or skill.
I see a lot comments acknowledging, slightly, that Michael Bradley is not the best player in possession. In fact, he’s poor in possession. And that is 1/2 of the center midfielder’s job.
There are no Rudy stories in professional football, “grit” and “hard work” only get you so far.
Yeah, Milan has just a bit more depth than a Palermo. -12 to LNG.
i’m sorry. In my opinion, there is NO way that MB is an upgrade from Fellaini, I don’t care how inconsistent he has been.
But Gattusso is in the Keane/Viera mold – our Bradley is not a hardman like that.
I’d put him in the Fletcher mold – runs around a lot and puts in a good work rate but you wouldn’t build a successful team around him.
okay, bob. at least try to cover up your screenname. “usa” isn’t very original.
Workhorse prem teams that occasion finish in the top 6, and consistenly top 10, would be the best. I’ve been waiting for him to move the prem for the last few years and am excited by the prospect. Everton, Bolton, Villa, Sunderland would all be great for him
its not like anyone gets to handpick where he goes. he goes where there’s interest in him, bottom line. most players (if you not messi or ronaldo) don’t “shop” leagues and take their pick of which league will improve them the most; they go where there is interest in them, and from those options, pick the best fit. and not that you did this, but it also drives me nuts when people say “send American A to the team with American B so their chemistry improves!” that’s just not how it works. club managers certainly don’t have that in mind, national team managers don’t have that kind of sway (at least most don’t – maybe mourinho would), and, again, players don’t get to handpick what team they want to join.
Dude it’s MB90 the guy has the biggest drive out of anyone. He is a freaking workhorse who never gives up. He will earn a starting spot easily no matter which of these clubs he goes to.
YUP. SPEED IS TOTALLY OVERRATED.
signed,
FAT RONALDO
Doesn’t Besikas (sp?) usually make it to europa and champion leagues?
I don’t get it. He was the best player for BMG all season and suddenly they get reports that a few clubs want him and they bench him for a few games and now they might be pissed that he also wants to leave for fear of relegation.
I’m hoping Palermo buys him. If not stay strong and fight to continue starting for BMG and leave come May
Tactical finesse maybe, but Italy is a defensive league full of hardmen. To Gattuso, add Matterazzi, Chiellini, Criscito and dozens others. I prefer England, but think MB90 would be great in Italy.
Sooo true plus he’d be “worth” easily 12million dollars
He is a good fit in the league he is in. Would be a good replacement for van Bommel on my Bayern team. Unfortunately management doesn’t respect American players. Like the guy said earlier, the only reason he hasn’t moved yet is because he is an American.
As a Gunner fan, I’d love to see Bradley in an Arsenal strip. Bradley in / Denilson out. MB would be the perfect complement to the Cesc-Wilshire-Song trio in the middle. He could play the Song role if Alex needs a breather or if the Gunners want to adopt a more defensive posture he could step in for Wilshire. Granted, he would not replace any starter but he’d likely see some quality minutes and give the Gunners some much needed toughness and fitness off the bench.
Wenger has always rates MB on the high side and during the World Cup applauded his work rate.
BTW…I realize this is a pipe dream!!!!
That would be amazing. Seriously. Bradley in the claret and blue would just be awesome.
But yeah, with Houllier there, just not happening. He hasn’t exactly proven himself to be a good talent spotter, and I think, to some extent, a manager needs to be able to look at Bradley and see the grit and determination, but also see what could happen with a bit of polishing. Houllier isn’t going to do that.
But man, that would be great if it happened.
Because that’s just how transfers in soccer work…
I think if you’re an American anywhere in Europe there will be a fair amount of grumbling from the locals. The Wu went to AC Milan, which is a bit different than Palermo.