Photo by Florian Eisele/ISIphotos.com
Timmy Chandler has a month to make up his mind.
That's what FC Nurnberg is reportedly telling the U.S. international fullback, who has been heavily courted by fellow Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart and could secure a transfer there this summer. According to German publication Bild, Chandler must give Nurnberg a clear answer on what he wants for his future so both parties can proceed accordingly.
Chandler's contract with Nurnberg lasts through the 2012-13 season, but he is a candidate to be sold when the transfer window re-opens should he give the indication that he's interested in departing. The club would undoubtedly want to receive something in return for him if he were to leave, making this summer — when Chandler could be representing the United States at the Olympics — the ideal time for a club switch.
In terms of the prospects for next season, Stuttgart's are marginally better than Nurnberg's. Both teams are currently stuck mid-table in the Bundesliga and do not figure to factor into 2012-13 European competition. Stuttgart has 26 points through 22 matches, while Nurnberg has 25. Bayer Leverkusen, which occupies sixth place and the league's second and final UEFA Europa League spot, has 34 points.
Here are a few more stories from around the soccer world:
TERRY OUT UP TO TWO MONTHS
The news keeps getting worse for Chelsea centerback John Terry.
After initially being ruled a doubt for Chelsea's UEFA Champions League match, Terry learned that he will need knee surgery and will be out for up to two months.
Terry injured the knee when sliding into a goalpost during an FA Cup match against Portsmouth, and he has been forced to miss Chelsea's last four matches — all of which have resulted in dropped points for the struggling club.
As a result of the procedure, Terry will also be unavailable for England's friendly against the Netherlands later this month, which would have been his first match for the Three Lions since being stripped of his captaincy by the FA. The development, which occurred because of his alleged racial abuse of Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand and ensuing criminal charge, resulted in the resignation of coach Fabio Capello.
LICHAJ SCORES FOR VILLA RESERVES
U.S. fullback Eric Lichaj continued his comeback from a hip injury by scoring a goal in Aston Villa's 4-1, reserve-team victory over West Brom on Tuesday.
Lichaj started and went the distance at right back, scoring the final goal of the match in the 86th minute on a run into the box from the touchline, according to a match report. Lichaj has seen time at both fullback positions since returning from injury last month and playing with the reserve team but has yet to see the field with the first team.
In his only appearance with the Aston Villa first team this season, Lichaj started and scored a goal in a Carling Cup win over Hereford. He has made the gameday roster three times since his return this winter.
FORMER RED BULLS GK ROST RETIRES
Frank Rost is hanging up his cleats and gloves.
According to reports out of Germany, the former New York Red Bulls Designated Player and goalkeeper has elected to retire, putting an end to his 20-year career.
Rost, 38, joined the Red Bulls last summer with the expectation of providing stability in net for a team desperately in need of it. He turned in mixed results despite being the first DP goalkeeper in league history, and while team officials claimed to have been in talks with Rost about returning to Red Bull Arena during the offseason, they both elected to go in opposite directions.
Prior to coming to MLS, Rost was a stalwart in the Bundesliga, starting for Werder Bremen, Schalke and Hamburg.
PERUVIAN PLAYERS GO ON STRIKE
All is not well in the Peruvian top flight.
Players in Peru went on strike ahead of the start to the new season this past weekend, reportedly doing so on a united front over an unpaid-wage crisis affecting multiple teams.
As a result, all teams in the country's top flight except for one reportedly fielded junior players for the opening games of the season. The outlier, Universidad San Martin, elected to forfeit its match in lieu of fielding a team of replacement players.
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Do you think Chandler should bolt for Stuttgart or stay at Nurnberg? What do you think of the latest Terry update? Happy to see Lichaj continuing to do well for the Villa reserves? What did you think of Rost's MLS stint? What do you make of the strike in Peru?
Share your thoughts below.
I don`t think Chandler will go to a PL team in the next middle term. The same goes for Williams and Johnson. German players would rather join a mid-table BL team than a mid-table PL team.
Someone might have mentioned this, but I actually really like this lineup because Bradley can play more centrally while Johnson bombs up the wings. Obviously, on the right side, Dolo and Chandler can operate they way any wingback and winger would in a 4-3-3. Or would this plan not work?
Thank you.
This is the first time I’ve seen a true, realistic diamond formation that looks totally workable for us.
As far as financial backing, though, there is a huge difference between Nurnberg and Stuttgart.
Stuttgart has tons of Mercedes money and hasn’t been demoted in ages.
Whereas Nuernberg have been what is called an elevator team (going up one year, going down the next).
However, if Chandler has a strong feeling of loyalty to the Club, he should definitely stay. And maybe wait for the BIG pay check. Because the way he plays sometimes, it’s only a matter of time before Bayern Munich or another big team (maybe Schalke or Bremen) come calling. I could also see him having a chance in the Premiere League.
He is definitely one of our top young prospects and he should be given a bit more respect by Klinsmann. He’s clearly more comfortable on the right side.
“I think he can do better than Stuttgart. ”
Then why are Nurnberg giving him the option?
If Nurnberg thought they could get more money for him elsewhere, from a bigger club, why would they not hold out? It stands to reason they would want the most money for him.
uldfn
So can MLS teams go sign these Peruvian players?
I see what you are saying about Stuttgart and I agree Nurnberg is a big step down, but as a bona fide mega fan of Timothy Chandler I think he can do better than Stuttgart. Some bigger teams are most likely already scouting him and in coming months at least one of them is going to step to the front of the line waving a bunch of cash at Nurnberg and will swoop him up and, I hope, turn him into a full-time right winger, although he has potential to also be an awesome right back.
i agree
I think there is actually a difference between Stuutgart and Nurnberg. Stuttgart might be mid-table this season, but they always have the potential to challenge for a CL spot.
Remember that Schalke was midtable last season and are 3rd right now. Mänchengladbach was 18th twelve months ago and are now 2nd and challenging for the title.
Things can change very fast in the BL and Stuttgart is a better bet than Nurnberg for my money.
+1
Actually it’s not to narrow. It’s a 4-4-2 diamond formation here on paper. Johnson serves as the wing back going up and down the LW. Bradley or Torres would be LM’s not wingers. They would pinch in and help Jones out defensivley and then start attacks with their facilitating. Chandler is a winger which gives width on the right. Donovan extends the field vertically with his pace and clever runs off of Jozy. Actually if used right this formation would give Italy fits.
It will be interesting to see who Klinsi brings in. He was playing Torres all the time until he got injured. Now that he is back for his club I assume he’ll be called in. Just a question of starting or not. Can’t tell how much Klinsi is still trying to figure out his #1 lineup. I would think the Italy game is a great chance to see how what he thinks is best works against a quality opponent (even if Italy is missing key attackers).
Agree, but if JK moved Chandler to RM we could begin to see Eric Lichaj at RB. Dolo is 33 and is starting to break down.
The mid filed could be getting crowded when you also have Torres and Holden.
Chandler has been playing right Winger for Nurnberg not RB. Thats why I have him at Right Winger.
Would rather have Johnson at LM this lineup is too narrow, falls right into italys style
I know i’m going to get flack for this one, I like that formation but bradley does better defensively. I still think Brad Davis should get a LOOK at left winger/mid, but I guess assist leader in MLS does not mean anything, even though you beat out the all time assist master (Becks). Definitely not for the Italia game but definetely for qualifying or friendlies. I like Torres but hasn’t really secured a spot yet, has he?
I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad lineup, but why switch Johnson and Chandler?
Chandler’s shown well at LB for the USMNT multiple times, while Johnson’s just been OK there for Hoffenheim.
Meanwhile, Johnson’s shown very well in an attack-minded midfield role in his one start for the USMNT, and Chandler has yet to play MF for us. Plus, it’s been a long time since he’s played in MF for his club.
Bradley should play in jones’s spot and someone else on the left
This will allow F.Johnson to make runs down the Left. Dolo is losing his speed, so he should be more of a defensive RB and allow Chandler to roam up and down the sideline.
Or use Torres as a LM pinching and being a facilitator/distributor.
It’s up to Chandler, but there is not much difference between Stuttgart and Nurnberg. I think the biggest question for him going FWD now is his position. Nurnberg are using him as a right winger now instead of a RB. This makes things very interesting for the national team going FWD. I will have to say that Chandler should not be used as a LB anymore. F.Johnson has been used as LB for the past few months for Hoffenheim, and it may be time to use him as a LB for the national team. If Klinsmann moves Chandler to RW for the national team then I forsee Donovan being moved up top to partner Jozy. Would like to see this starting 11 against Italy.
Howard
Dolo, Goodson(gooch is injured), Boca, F.Johnson
—————–Jones——————–
Chandler————————–Bradley
——————-Dempsey——————-
——–Donovan—————–Altidore——
Bradley used more of a LM versus a winger pinching in and helping with Jones in the midfield. Chandler as the Winger serving in balls.
great for lichaj!
Chandler ought to go wherever he’s assured of playing time. Would do him no good to transfer to Stuttgart or Leverkusen and ride the pine. He’s a lock to start (at some position) for Nurnberg, he might as well stay.
I would expect pretty similar results overall to last year.
If Conde is anything like he was in Chicago its not a drop off from ream. Plus there is the Swedish CB that was brought in as well.
The new GK’s are unknowns however, and I would assume at least step down from Rost (but maybe better than Condoul)
A big weakness seems to be lack of a playmaker – with Marquez and Tanio both more defensive in nature in the center of MF. This will mean the team will have to rely on Lindpere and Richards to drive the ball up the field.
Though not too many players have been brought in, they did clear a lot of dead wood out, so hopefully more bench depth than last year.
Conde was one of the best defenders in the league a few years ago. He has since had mixed results abroad and is coming off a knee surgery; he could still be very good.
I think NY has a couple of young goalkeepers they brought in, but a veteran presence might be preferred. They’re still looking i think.
Otherwise the team is pretty stacked at most positions and should compete well this year.
I am new to following the red bulls….they are my son’s favorite MLS team. But i am wondering what this year will bring them. Their goalie retired, Ream went to england and what do we make of Conde?
I’m sure a couple of you guys can shed some light on it for me.