By FRANCO PANIZO
Jonathan Spector is set to become a free agent this summer, but West Ham United is hoping that he never reaches the open market.
West Ham is looking to keep Spector as it prepares for a season in the Championship, and has offered the U.S. international a new contract. Spector endured a rough start to the past campaign, but after showing he was a viable candidate to play in the midfield, he solidified his place with the Hammers.
Spector, who has made 101 appearances for the club since joining it in 2006, played in 14 league games and scored one goal this season. He also netted three goals in different cup competitions, including a pair in a win against his former club, Manchester United.
Here are some more stories to help you get through your Tuesday morning:
Gomes keen on joining PSV
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has said he has no plans to get rid of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes despite his mixed performances this season, but that hasn't stopped the 30-year-old goalkeeper from wanting a move away from the club. Gomes is interested in re-joining PSV Eindhoven, according to the Dutch club. Gomes spent four seasons with PSV before joining Tottenham in 2008.
Aguero wants move away from Atletico
Sergio 'Kun' Aguero has revealed he wants to leave Atletico Madrid, and is asking the club to release him from his contract. The 22-year-old forward recently extended his contract until 2014, but his buyout clause was reduced as part of the deal. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool have all been linked with Aguero.
Pirlo set to sign with Juventus
Andrea Pirlo underwent physicals with Juventus on Tuesday morning, and is set to make the switch from AC Milan. Pirlo is expected to sign a three-year deal with Juventus, and an official announcement of the signing is expected to come on Wednesday or Thursday.
———
Do you think Spector should stay at West Ham or find a new home? Should Gomes leave the EPL and Tottenham? Where do you see Aguero going?
Share your thoughts below.
Just go to a place where you get decent playing time.
He also played really well in the Confed Cup, and is one of the most versatile defenders in the US pool.
Yes, let’s not talk about anyone else until we know where Bradley is going.
It meant to say “I tend to think not.” I hope I was always thinking.
Will Juve do better know that Pirlo is with the team? I tend to think now. But interesting transfer none the less.
We have to bring Drogba to MLS
LOL…does the SEC fandom get any worse than UF??? Sorry, I know this is a soccer blog but I just couldn’t resist.
Yeah, that number really surprised me; I know he’s been there for a year, but it’s a pretty big deal when more ‘known’ players make 100 appearances for a club. I like the guy; always working hard, and you gotta love a player who can bounce back from being benched after being a (somewhat) stable presence on a team, ESPECIALLY in a fickle environment like professional soccer.
Yeah, that is pretty silly; it’s perfectly okay to formulate an opinion about a fanbase based on the perception of said fanbase in games, in the media, etc.
I go to UF, and I can tell you which SEC (and some other conference) fans are distasteful and which are a pleasure to visit whether we win or lose. Do I personally know someone from every school? No. That doesn’t mean they, as a group, don’t make an impression.
That was the dumbest move ever and it didn’t work out to well either went from Europa League to almost not finishing in the top 10 this year good call by management on that one.
I don’t think he would really think about leaving AV had O’Neill stayed on.
If Rossi leaves then Villareal are down to three forwards, although with all the money they’ll get from that transfer they could get quite a few good forwards.
It’s nice to hear that Spector has a contract offer, but shouldn’t we be more concerned from the USMNT prospective about where Michael Bradley ends up?
Jozy was doing OK at Villareal, it’s just hard to unseat the starting forwards, when they happen to be Rossi and Nilmar. Moving from La Liga to a lesser league does not guarantee more playing time – Altidore is not starting at the Turkish league.
i agree. 100 games in EPL should speak for itself. maybe he won’t be a starter for the USMNT, but he’ll provide depth. and we desperately need it. and who knows, maybe he’ll work his way back into a starting role. dude is only 25.
Good point, i’ve always been afraid of the Scouse Reich’s plan to take over and create a new world order where a sports player moves into a city and gets their homes broken into.
Dear Mr. Spector,
You’re better than the Championship. Please stay in the EPL.
Your friend,
Michael F.
Completely agree. Championship or a lower table Bundesliga team is probably best for him. I’m completely fine with him staying at West Ham and playing every week.
I have always thought like Matt C that Spector is a squad player in the EPL – his versatility keeps him from being good enough at one position.
I like him in the Championship. He could play every week, master that central mid position and gain his confidence back.
Depends what you mean by “know”. It is a personal policy of mine not to get to “know” any of them. If someone says Hitler was awful, do ask, “really, did you know Hitler?”
West Ham are looking to lose all their central midfielders: Hitzleberger (spelling?) and Parker defiantly. Too talented to stay down. He’ll get a chance to start.
Exactly and one reason he may stay away from West Ham. However, at this point in his career the Championship is his best bet. He had a terrible first half of the season, redemption in the second but not enough for a Premier League team to take a gamble on him as a starter. He needs more games at this point.
He is decent. He has his moments at times and sometimes he is pretty awful (like last years brazil friendly when i hoped i never had to watch him play again) but a guy with over 100 premier league games under his belt at age 25 that can be plugged into 2-3 different positions is a “solid” option for the USA in my book.
But I appreciate the completely useless feedback.
“Solid”? Spector is not a solid defender.
Spector should flip ’em off and go somewhere else. West Ham treated him like garbage. Which makes sense because the club is one big pile of garbage. To spend the money they do and continue to be a laughing stock is pathetic. He should tell them to f off and find a real club.
As long as he is playing regularly it doesn’t really matter from a USMNT standpoint. I think we have all seen enough of Spector to realize he is not a game changer but a solid player that is nice to be able to bring into camp given his experience and versatility.
I’m much more interested in where the hell Jozy is going to play next year. I would have liked to see him in the Championship this past year rather than Turkey and even with Rossi half way out the door at Villareal, that doesnt seem to be the right place for him.
I really hope that what you said is the truth, but I sincerely doubt it. I think finding a different Championship side might be a good idea for PT, but I fear that staying at West Ham will leave him with the stench of leftovers from a spoiled dinner. At the very least, I would wait until a new manager is named.
Spector will be a squad player if he stays in the EPL. That’s not a bad thing necessarily. For example, Fulham, Bolton…(mid-to-low tablers) could use his talents and VERSATILITY, but he most likely wouldn’t start. Could play his way into starting..but wouldn’t be brought in as a starter.
He’ll play more and probably get paid less in the fizz league.
or even the Premier League
Aguero to Liverpool would give them a pretty sick trio of Attacking Mids with Gerrard, Meireles and him. Not sure what formation they would fit, but that would be a great signing for the new owners to show they are serious about contending for the league. That and some new defenders of course 😉
Really? And how many Liverpool fans do you personally know?
If Spector resigns with West Ham he won’t be on the bench.
I think if he stays at West Ham, he should be a starter. Parker will be gone, as will others on that team. Don’t know how set the newly promoted teams are at midfielder/defender, and whether it would be a better situation for him to start in the Championship, or gamble he is going to find playing time on a Premiership or Bundesliga side…
My guess is that if a top-flight side doesn’t come to him with an offer, he will have better luck finding regular playing time in the Championship.
Gomes is a horrible goalie. He is not a goalie made for the premiere league.
Thank you sir may I please have another (year mostly on the bench)?
Ya I remember Jones joking that he was “mad” with Donovan, Spector, and a few others because they would speak German when he was trying to practice his English at the recent friendly camps.
yes, filed for bankruptcy after the sponsorhips for his academy dried up. Years of the contract probably most important to get back to financial stability. I hope he’s just back-up at Liverpool because their fans are something awful
A couple months ago, yes. It had something to do with his soccer academies and his losing substantial personal investments in them. I am not sure if he personally filed for bankruptcy or whether it was the company. Either way, he has money difficulties. Apparently Villa offered him a contract as well that was incentive laden.
Sometimes I forget how long Spector has been in the Premier League. He’s going on his 8th season or something, right? And he’s 25.. that’s incredible. Over 100 appearances for the Hammers ain’t too shabby either. I hope he stays up in the PL or heads to Germany… and in response to the poster above, he has a German passport I think and I believe he does speak it, as well.
I would think Spector would want to wait until he knows who the manager is going to be before he signs? No sense in signing and then having the manager not want you there.
I could see $ being important because doesn’t he have some money issues? I thought I read that he filed for bankruptcy or something a while back.
From what I read, he has an offer to be the Tottenham #1 as well but the Liverpool offer is for more years and money.
Does Spector know any German? Rather see him there than in the Championship.
And what’s this stuff about Friedel signing to take the backup spot at Liverpool? He’s still #1 quality.