By IVES GALARCEP
The day Tottenham fell short of the stated goal of reaching the top four in the English Premier League, and earning the Champions League place that goes with it, Spurs set out on trying to bolster the squad with a spending spree aimed at closing the gap atop the EPL.
Reports in England suggest that Tottenham’s revamping, and plans for the upcoming season could include the sale of Clint Dempsey. Spurs have been splashing the cash this transfer window, with the recent acquisition of Brazilian Confederations Cup standout Paulinho as the first major move. Tottenham are reportedly eyeing Christian Benteke, and preparing a move for Belgian winger Nacer Chadli.
There has yet to be anything definitive to show Tottenham’s clear intent to unload Dempsey, but it is clear Spurs are open to listening if teams step forward with offers. Tottenham has already unloaded Tom Huddlestone and David Bentley, with Scott Parker, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermaine Defoe expected to be sold this summer.
Dempsey, 30, scored 12 goals in his first season at Tottenham, earning regular minutes in Andres Villas Boas’ squad rotation, but with Villas Boas looking to bolster the squad with younger and more expensive options, such as Paulinho and long-time Tottenham transfer target Leandro Damiao, Dempsey could be made expendable.
So where could Dempsey go if Tottenham really has decided to sell him?
Liverpool made a well-publicized bid for Dempsey last summer, though the move was remembered more for the embarrassingly low offer Liverpool made, an offer that was easily beaten by Tottenham’s ultimate price for the U.S. star.
Sunderland is another club that could make sense. The Black Cats are looking to revamp their attack, and their new billionaire American owner, Ellis Short, has already spent big money on one American in Jozy Altidore.
The real question would be whether Dempsey would be open to a move outside England. If his ultimate goal remains playing in the UEFA Champions League, then at this point he would need to leave England to realize that dream. He has mentioned France in the past as a league he would be open to playing in.
We shouldn’t assume Dempsey will be sold, or that he won’t play if he stays. Dempsey’s versatility and skill have helped him face these sort of challenges before, and he has kept on performing.
The big fear among USMNT fans is that Dempsey could wind up buried on the bench at Tottenham, or struggling at a new club, in the year before a World Cup. Those concerns are understandable, but it should also be noted that Dempsey has faced tough challenges throughout his career, including the carousel of managers he played for at Fulham, and he has found a way to succeed each time. Dempsey doesn’t shrink when faced with adversity. He shines.
What do you think of these developments? Where would you like to see Dempsey go? Are you hoping he stays at Tottenham?
Share your thoughts below.
Check it out here is how it will go down.
Rooney wants out at Man U, Moyes is doing his best to keep him but still too much bad blood and burnt bridges between those too. Rooney leaves and Moyes needs cover for the withdrawn striker/#10 role that Rooney currently plays for Man U. Sure they have Kagawa, but they still need more than one guy to fill that role.
Dempsey has a very similar game to Rooney, withdrawn striker with grit and dogged determination to score and assist goals for the team. He’ll come relatively cheap and Moyes has said in the past he admires Dempsey.
Hold out for this one folks, if Rooney does get his wish and is off to Chelsea or Arsenal the Dempsey move to Man U makes a lot of sense.
He won’t start every game but so what they play in enough competitions that he’ll get plenty of PT and a good bit of UCL too and he could probably beat out Kagawa too.
Dempsey is way to versatile a piece for AVB for him to be let go. AVB has no idea how well his new players are going to mesh their first year. Dempsey is a security blanket at this point for any changes that AVB wants to make. That said, 12 goals in the Prem is pretty good. If Dempsey scored 12 goals while trying to develop chemistry with his teammates, imagine what he can do after a year with most of them!
WAY TO STIR THE POT IVES….if nothing else, this has been a good thread.
+1!
Dempsey to the Bulls? Imagine that,… Rose along side the Duece! Crazzzy
Dempsey is just an average player. I don’t believe any of the top clubs will be seriously interested in him. A middle of the road club, like Sunderland, is what he needs.
Whoever mentioned the bundesliga was onto something too….clearly Germany is on to something and the recent form of the USMNT is a reflection of it. Klinnsman’s system is similar to Schalke which IMO is the only reason jermaine jones has a starting gig….Dempsey could fulfill his need for UCL and prepare for Brazil all at once
If he really wants champions league football he should look at Ajax…he do well in that system…horrible defenses in holland but what he needs is to build confidence before brazil.
Now it makes sense why the Galaxy let that International player spot go but kept the DP spot open. Damn Keane and Dempsey what a great partnership can’t wait. Thanks Don Gerber!
I think he would do well at Schalke, for Champions League thrills. Otherwise, Aston Villa and Everton or Zloverpool might still want him and could use him. They would be good spots for him too. I know Martinez likes him.
Dempsey is 30 years old. A league like Germany, Italy, Spain, or France would slow down the speed of play and extend his career. Dempsey would thrive on the European continent for sure.
Fiorentina…..
Champions League bound. They play attractive and attacking football and are about to cash in on S. Jovetic. And…he could line up in a 4-3-3 with newly acquired Mario Gomez and fellow American….Giuseppe Rossi.
Not a chance he beats out Adem Ljajić for the other wing spot..
Liverpool’s jersey is awful and not sponsored by Carlsberg. No Champions League, so they are a no-go.
Schalke 04 would be a good destination. They are in the Champions League and he’s can play with Jermaine Jones.
Dempsey did his part for the Spurs while getting next to zero service when standing right in front of open nets. He also played forward when everyone else was injured.
He was, what, second or third leading goal scorer, on a team of ball hogs who had very little team chemistry?
I don’t think Bale is capable of repeating his performance last season, and it would be a mistake to get rid of such a good player. Bale also won’t stay there forever.
That just about says it all, Derek. You are absolutely right. Yep, that team is loaded with prima donnas and lacking in team chemistry and if I had a nickel for every time a player ignored a pass to Clint last season I would be rich. But in my opinion the blame for that goes to the coach. I am still not convinced of his overall coaching abilities, meaning his ability to connect with all his players. Something last season was definitely missing and I really would be happy to see Clint in a happier situation. That said, it could be, that by clearing out some these other players the team chemistry will improve. I have no doubt that Clint has the skills and determination to be a valuable asset in Tottenham’s quest to end in the Top Four, my doubt is the coach’s ability to use him correctly, if at all.
I’d like a nickel for every time Walker took a corner and kicked it 15 yards over every ones head. Then has the nerve to scream at team mates for missing him on a pass.
Thank you for the comment on ignoring passes to a wide open Dempsey. I don’t know how many times I screamed at the TV for this. Bale would rather blow a right footed lame shot than make the easy pass to Dempsey open at the top of the box. W.T.F.
He should just go back to MLS.
No
Yeah Galaxy, Galaxy, Galaxy……
France with Marseille or Lyon. He is good enough for those teams and would get Champions league wish.
When things don’t go well at a Euro club, the gaffer starts looking over his shoulder. When the ship goes down, no manager wants to be accused of sticking with an American, since “everyone” in Europe knows that “Americans can’t play.” Tottenham fans have always been snobbish about playing “attractive” football and unlike Fulham fans, they never embraced Dempsey’s grit and clutch play. He’s just not fluid enough for their liking. They think that the owners should spend like there is no tomorrow and do not appreciate a “bargain” like Deuce.
LOL. The Spurs had little team chemistry, and Bale scored a huge number of improbable goals. Dempsey was almost the only player to make a pass in the final third of the field.
He is one of their better players.
I don’t understand it, but I agree with you on how British fans feel about Clint, based on comments on UK EPL boards. While some support him, I estimate more than half who comment on Dempsey rate him poorly. Many push for his sale and support the upside potential of Holtby and Sigurdson. If they sell him to another ELP team I hope Clint personally scores both winning goals againts Tottenham on his way to +20 goals in 2013/14.
For those who have forgotten, he scored the tying goal in one game and the winning goal in another vs. Man U. I don’t think any other team in the EPL got 4 points off of Man U last season, and they were attributable to Dempsey. The guy has shown time after time he delivers in big games and when his team really needs it and yet US fans here seem to buy into this rumor as if Dempsey is over rated. This is all crazy talk, IMHO.
I think it’s more of Dempsey being an American, than how he plays on the pitch. All Dempsey needs is to stay healthy and he’ll be fine with Tottenham.
The one thing I think AVB likes about Dempsey is an ability to switch him from playing underneath the striker to the midfield. That allows him to move Bale around without making a substitution, as you saw him do many times last year.
New York Cosmos — twice in a lifetime.
Never underestimate The Deuce. He’ll be just fine.
When rumors like this surface (and I suppose if it’s true it’s not a rumor), do the players ever get notified in advance? In other words, if the report from the times is true, does that imply that VB picked up the phone and said, “Clint, you’re not in our plans. We’re going to market you for sale.” or do players find out from tabloids and the media more often than not?
Well sometimes you hear that players are “shocked” so sometimes they aren’t notified…
It seems generally that teams inform the players. Because if the player wants to stay he can stay for the length of his contract. Clint’s contract at Tottenham last two more years and he will be paid whether he plays or not. Your line “Clint, you’re not in our plans” would be the key line that a team would use to gently encourage a player they don’t want anymore to be open to a transfer. That is what Brendan Rodgers had to do last summer at Liverpool to get Andy Carroll to go on loan to West Ham, basically saying publicly even that Andy can go to West Ham and play or he can sit on the bench here. And for a player with national team aspirations, Carroll went to West Ham.
what about Celtic? It would mean automatic CL. Could they afford his wages?
Come on. Deuce isn’t playing Heart of Midlothian or Hibernian on a week-in, week-out basis.
Yeah, Celtic is in the CL, but they are a big fish in a small pond.
Dempsey has to only really out play Holtby and Sigurdsson, which he seemed to do most of last season. I think he’ll continue to do so and will be motivated by having those two players nipping at his heels…
I would not be unhappy to see Clint leave Tottenham. It never seemed like the best fit to me. We all know it was a rushed move by Tottenham at the laast minute and that AVB did not really seem to be the mover behind the transfer. And, although I know others disagree, it seems to me that AVB last season could never quite bring himself to fully embrace Clint as a player on his team. And these rumors of Clint being for sale give me an uneasy feeling of what might happen next season if he stays at Tottenham.
I can see Clint playing for Big Sam Allardyce at West Ham (in London). West Ham is the type of team and atmosphere I think Clint could excell in. But I thought last summer and I still think that the Bundesliga would be a good fit for Clint. Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League bound)is looking to add three more players for added depth after already adding three so far this summer. And I bet Klinsmann would have a few ideas on teams also and I think Clint would be wise to discuss with Jurgen because Clint’s agent did not seem real competent last summer.
Big fan of a potential Leverkusen move, especially since they have sold Schurrle.
This is a link to a story in German. And actually it says the coach, Sami Hyypiä, a former Liverpool player, is demanding *at least* three additonal players and apparently Bayer management is ready (with Schurle’s Chelsea cash in hand) to spend money to bring in more players.
http://www.sportal.de/bundesliga-sami-hyypiae-fordert-noch-mindestens-drei-spieler-1-2013071128539300000
I always got the opposite impression, that AVB rated him highly. I dunno, seems like Clint always forces his way on to the field no matter where he plays so we’ll see how this plays out.
What about galatasaray? They are in the champions league could afford the 3-4 mil to buy him. He’d be one of the best players in the league even at 30. Marseille? Ajax? Celtic? Anderlecht? Any champions league team is where I think he’ll end up.
Gala has a lot of foreign players already and Turkish law only lets them field 5 at a time in the domestic league. Still, the Super Lig is better than people give it credit and they have the most p@ssionate/insane fans in the world.
wow, i think he would do good in france or germany. The epl and laliga is too much for him but of course he can play in a small team and never play champions or even europa league and just earn a good pay check and score useless goals. At his age, he should make up his mind so he can play in Russia 2018.
He’ll be 35 by then, although his game has never been about speed, so that could help. Realistically though, I don’t see him as a main factor in Russia.
And if we still need to rely on him in 5 years, we’ve done effed up somewhere.
True about demps, but hopefully our US player pool that is huge and all over the world can make something happen in brazil and for sure in russia and qatar. All we need is real forwards and a true 10. Klinsman should take over gulati in years to cone
Would Swansea be a good fit? Great style of play, and they’re at least in Europa.
I’d love to have a Nat on the Swans, but they already have somebody who will fill the withdrawn striker role for them, now that they’ve signed Bony. Michu is younger, more versatile, and on lower wages.
That would be a great fit!
I’d be surprised if Dempsey goes. The article seems to see it as a foregone conclusion that Spurs will be able to bring in a lot more top attacking talent. I just don’t see it. Maybe they grab a big line striker, but bringing in one or even two new faces doesn’t mean Dempsey is unneeded. As we’ve seen over the past couple years, the fact that Spurs have largely been able to only field a strong 11 with little cover for injuries and little ability to build in rest for the starting 11, has left them falling off a cliff for the last quarter of the season.
Also, I don’t see coming off the bench for a strong EPL team as destroying a players game or quality to the point it hurts their WC form. Most top teams should be able to bring a player of Dempsey’s quality off the bench. He will get minutes and maybe show that he can adapt again and thrive.
I agree that it isn’t doomsday if he stays. Spurs will play in 4 competitions next season so there will be minutes to go around. That said, it is definitely better if he is playing 90 mins week in week out.
Would Dempsey even accept a new contract from a lesser team if Tottenham came to a deal?
Maybe if it came with improved wages, but this whole thing seems somewhat far-fetched.
If Dempsey leaves I think he should only go to a team that will be in the Champions league or at least Europa. Honestly Tottenham was a perfect fit and if he’s gonna go anywhere else I’d hope it’s Arsenal or another country. I could see him at either Milan club, Dortmund or any top team in France.
Arsenal are not going to take him. They could have last year but showed no interest, so there is no reason to think have suddenly become covetous of him. Neither Milan club is bidding for a 30 year old American, and Dempsey doesn’t have the work rate to play Klopp’s style at Dortmund. You’re dreaming.
If he isn’t good enough for Tottenham (apparently) why do people assume he will fit at Arsenal, Milan, Dortmund who all have much better attacking options
You are right about Arsenal, Wenger seems to pay attention to mostly French players. Your comment about Dempsey’s work rate, though, doesn’t comport with the facts.
Dempsey, for all his other qualities, is not an all action, Tevez type player. There is nothing wrong with that, but he just isn’t a player most coaches would choose for a high paced pressing game.
I love Deuce, but honestly, THFC has never been a perfect fit for him. That said, AVB seems to really like him AND he scored critical goals for the team. He is an asset to any team lucky enough to have him. My biggest concern is for PT and I would not want to see Deuce playing only in Cup or Europa games. That’s not enough to stay sharp for the WC.
They are going to play him this is a non-issue.
Dempsey might be more of a victim of change in tactics for Spurs with AVB moving the team to a more traditional 4-3-3 than losing out to “better” players. With the central midfield being Sandro, Paulinho, and Dembele, and the two wings reserved for Bale and Lennon, there’s just not a place for Dempsey particular skill set (supporting the primary striker, arriving late in the box, clutch goals and a high work rate).
Thing is, AVB, really likes Dempsey…he consistently started him last season when fans were clamoring for “sexier” options like Holtby and Siggurdson. Even though he came up with big goals, the fan base prefers a more swashbuckling type, and Dempsey’s directness and grit never really endeared him to the faithful.
I think he’ll stay on and be used as a super sub and covering for the wingers when injury hits, but I just don’t see him being deployed as a starter in Spurs new system.
Or Levy will sell him 5 minutes before the deadline closes.
This is the most sensible post here.
Dempsey has a skill set that leaves him not-quite a winger, not quite a strikre, not quite an attacking mid. He’s not a poacher either, because he plays further out and makes late runs. I’ve actually always thought Italy was the right place for him – a team that can hold the ball while he looks for seams and spaces.
The range of likely outcomes for him at Sours is really wide – from after thought to mainstay.
Italy would be the perfect place for him. Trequartistas have in Serie A have changed. Look at Kevin Prince-Boateng. He is playing the playmaker role in a way that Dempsey might be able to, as well. The 4-3-1-2 and 4-3-2-1 formations you see over in Italy might suit his game more than the silky 4-3-3 AVB seems to be moving toward. He’d get more time on the ball too.
What kind of coach doesn’t play a player he thinks is best for the club and their chances of winning and goes instead with someone the fans want? A coach who will soon be fired. No decent coach puts the fans desires ahead of his own judgment. It amazes me that so many US fans seem to think that the best US player will be jettisoned by a coach who traded for him only a year ago despite that player doing well. I’m not saying it can’t happen, but it makes little to no sense.
Well, obviously AVB will play who he thinks is best, but having the support of the fanbase can do wonders for a players longevity and favor at the club.
To keep with the Tottenham example, 3 or 4 seasons ago, Darren Bent was Tottenhams top goalscorer, was told by Redknapp that he had a future and then he was unceremoniously unloaded in the summer for about $20 million. I’m sure there were many reasons, but it didn’t help that the fans pretty much didn’t like or rate him. He was a proven goalscorer but his style of play (poacher, not particularly creative) didn’t jive with what was expected from the club.
I don’t think AVB will jettison Dempsey if given a choice, but he doesn’t fit in as well with a 4-3-3 then he did in the 4-2-3-1 setup of last season. More likely, Levy will get an offer and if the money is right, will take it.
There it is
This is right on.
I feel dempsey fits the 4-3-3 better then Lennon
Lennon is a traditional winger that uses his pace on attack and tracking back on defense.
Roma.
oooh now THAT would be interesting. MB + Demps plus Totti’s last season…and watch Roma make a run at Champs League? Sign me up!
Is it too late to loan Altidore to that side?
He should sign for New England. Also, I should sign for Liverpool.
Go to Juventus Clint!
With Adebayor almost certainly leaving and siggurdson gone, I would think we would need to see 2 big offensive signings before Dempsey starts losing playing time as compared to last season. I think AVB’s view is: we need forward upgrades, so if we can get a good price for any of our existing forwards, than that would be great. Remember that the Depmpsey pickup was late and cheap. There may have been several teams that would pay more, which would be a tidy bit of business for Spurs.
When did Siggurdson leave?
I remember when Siggurdson snubbed liverpool. He made a deal with Rodgers prior to him being Liverpool coach and when he became the coach of a bigger club and still wanted Siggie said he wanted more money Rodgers said no he went to join tottenham (Do they even scout or just go after who liverpool wants).
Wonder if hes regretting his decision now.
Freaking punctuation, how does it work?
I don’t know why people are doubting that he would make an impact next year if he stayed at Tottenham. When has this guy not elevated his game to meet the challenge? He deserves the benefit of the doubt.
+1
I don’t think they’re doubting Deuce, they’re doubting the Spurs and AVB.
Spurs fans/ownership/management are wasteful and impatent if they let dempsey go
Interesting that Dempsey can score and assist on the same number of goals as Andy Carroll did for West Ham playing slightly less for Tottenham and become dispensable where Andy is worth a $15M transfer and 100K pounds per week.
Not really, Carroll is 6 years younger, and he’s English, which by definition means he’s over valued.
Unfortunately, I think it’s more likely he’ll stay but get only about 15 appearances. We’ll see.
Any player coming to Tottenham should worry about taking Dempsey’s place, not the other way around. He is an established player in the EPL with at least 3 more years. With that said I wish he meets Altidore in Sunderland…..I’LL BE BUYING BOTH JERSEY’S PRONTO AND SUBSCRIBING TO BEIN AND FOX SOCCER PLUS….lol
That won’t help you watch Sunderland. They’ll be on NBC sports network all year.
Right…thankfully I won’t have to pay $20 extra a month to watch the EPL now.
Off the topic of this board but I REALLY hope the coverage is a big step up from Fox Soccer…
While it might not be spectacular right out the gates, it can’t be worse than FSC.
NBCSN has been advertising the EPL for about a month now. The ads are really funny too. Something like, “Forget Downton Abbey. The real English drama is on NBC Sports Network.” Clever stuff.
Didnt Damiao just get bought by a team in Italy or was it just heavily rumored? Regardless its hard to see Dempsey getting a lot of PT if he stays there, might be best to move on. Maybe Liverpool might still have some interest
How about Newcastle? Lord knows we could use some attacking options.
Please no! That’s going to be a catastrophe this season. It already is with Kinnear there and the season hasn’t even started.
I agree on Kinnear. Epic fail. However, what would make my boys watchable this year is Deuce in the fold.
You mean the wee club in the North East? 😉
I think he is staying put, he is too versatile for AVB to let go, and Dempsey proves his worth time and time again
I think the rumor is complete bunk. Almost a month ago, AVB listed 10 players that were available for purchase, and Dempsey wasn’t one of them while other regular 2012-13 starters were. That pointed to Dempsey being in his plans and nothing has changed with the purchases to indicate that Dempsey is now surplus to requirements.
The fact that the original rumor was part of a ‘Fulham wants to take Dempsey on loan’ rumor just adds to its lack of credibility.
Or it pointed to him driving up potential bids by pretending he would have to be pried away…
Could easily be typical speculative spew based on the fact that Dempsey did not start pre season with Spurs because of having played with the USA.
He’ll be fine. Dempsey always rises to the top.
The ironic thing here is that rumors have Al Fayed (Fulham owner) in advanced talks with Shahid Khan (Jacksonville Jaguars owner) to buy the Fulham Football Club. With an even more ambitious billionaire backing them and their place as a top flight club cemented, Fulham could make a run at a top 4 place in the not too distant future.
There are already rumors that Jol wants to bring him back on loan.
I think we’ll see that when the Jags get to the Super Bowl….
(response to Fulham making the top 4)
I get your point, but the salary cap in American Football is really detrimental to an owner “buying” success.
while that may be the case, the jags have been FAR BELOW that cap and the owner is known as cheap.
And they’ve been horrible for the past 2 decades or so.
Money doesnt buy you a top 4 spot, not always, look at QPR. Fulham are basically the same size as QPR.
I’ve been saving money for a Dempsey Liverpool jersey for a long time now…
Not happening. Reason the bid was so low last year was his age and the last year in the old contract. So yeah their definietly not bidding now. The big need is Centerback and a young Dmid as cover (why they didnt bid for Wanyama I’ll never know).
Attacking mid a true goal scoring assist having number 10 would be snapped up but i dont think Clint is that hes not as creative as Mkhtaryan or Eriksson the 2 names being most linked with Liverpool.
Last year I would’ve loved it. This year, think they’re even less likely to sign him.
I’m not so sure. The English Tabloids are saying that the Spurs have listed him for transfer at 5M pounds. This is well within range of a lot of clubs including Liverpool, who made a 3.5M poun bid that was turned down by Fulham.. Unlike at Fulham, the Deuce has little leverage and although he still has a year more under contract, turning down a transfer to a team that meets the fee, can land Dempsey in the doghouse, playing in the reserves or riding the pine during a WC tear. Not a good thing.
My recollection is that Dempsey signed for 3 years, meaning he has 2 more on his contract. I assume a team taking him would also have to pay his salary which is pretty hefty.
That hideous Warrior Sports shirt? No thanks… f-ugly
Good point.
lol Dempsey wants to go to a side that has a chance at qualifying for the CL. So, Liverpool is out:)
Bottom line, it sounds like Dempsey will be hard pressed to find minutes at Tottenham this season if he stays. I hope he stays in the EPL because it’s the best league in the world and most accessible for us Yanks. Sunderland isn’t ideal, but who wouldn’t want to Jozy and Deuce on the pitch together every week?
Best league in England, but not in the world
I’m sure you have your reasons why the Bundesliga or some other league is better. Doesn’t really matter. My point is the EPL is the biggest league on earth. Can we agree on that adjective? Biggest?
I would say in top to bottom strength it is the strongest in the world. La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A are all great leagues, but I think the relegated teams in England could avoid relegation in the countries. Not a big drop off, but I think the EPL is slightly better overall.
EPL is a good league, one of the best, but not alone on top. Spain, Italy, and Germany all play more technical and tactical soccer. Yes, I like how some teams play in the EPL, but lots of credit goes to the foreigners signed to EPL teams.
top to bottom Germany is the best period Hoffenheim would finish from 12-16 depending on injuries and they barely avoided relgation
I dont know if you can really put Italy in that conversation any more, Germany and Spain, absolutely. Both of those leagues top to bottom are better than the Premier League IMO.
Bull.
But that’s only if VB actually signs most of his wish list. SO fa,r Paulinho is the only major signing. Let’s not forget that one of the Deuce’s strengths is his ability to play many positions. Up top as a center-forward, on the left and right as a winger and as a withdrawn forward. He has even been pressed into service as a defensive mid.
A real Utility man. Put some gloves on him and he can probably play goalkeeper.
I think VB will not get rid of him UNTIL he has a stocked pot at Whit Hart Lane and even if he does find the luck to make all the signings, he will need those + to play the run of competitions. The only thing I see happening is Clint looses his starting spot at the beginning of the year, but gets it back later.
A voice of sanity. Consider the realities–Demaio’s club spurned the Spurs last January and are now reportedly asking an astronomical price. Benteke is being courted by a # of clubs, reportedly including teams already in CL. Defoe is older than Dempsey and started out well last year, but then scored only a couple after Jan. 1. Adebayor seems to have attitude problems. Spurs have jettisoned a # of midfielders and Dempsey has been favored ahead of Siggurdson and Holtby, neither of whom can play up top like Dempsey. A big club needs a lot of depth, especially playing in Europa while hoping to get to CL. He may have to fight for his minutes, but it wouldn’t make sense for Spurs to peddle him and keep players behind him on the depth chart. I think he will be around two more years and then maybe it’s MLS time.
I agree that you are sane.
Yes, this is classic Spurs confusing itself for a big club. They do this every couple of years. He’ll get games there probably because young up and comers like Benetke don’t sign for Tottenham.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Dempsey move considering all the moves that Spurs are making. The thought of Jozy & Dempsey on Sunderland is enough to make me predict top 4.
Slow down there cowboy. No way that results in a top 4 – but it could really, really help everyone, since it gives them time to play together for both the USMNT and at the club level. And they have some experience playing together.
But there’s no chance of UCL, so I doubt Dempsey makes that move.
What another Dennis on Ives?
Hence why I became Good Jeremy. The other Jeremy, that guy was an interesting case…
Yeah, but I have so many posts, the new Dennis should change to something like Super Dennis, Jim-dandy Dennis, Marvelous Dennis, Devine Dennis,,,,
WHAT lol. Dempsey and Jozy make Sunderland finish top 4??? Oh man thanks for the laugh.
Dennis/Patrick… I didn’t mean top 4 in England… I meant the extra time together will help the USMNT make top 4 next year in Brazil.
Your not doing better, top 4 at the WC? Like Semifinals?
The US was an uncalled handball away from the semi-finals in the 2002 world Cup. I would wager that the presumed 2014 squad is better than the 2002 version. Nothing is impossible in futbol!
After the uncalled handball what did the USA do? Did they score? Did they tie the game? Puhleeze, mover on 2002? This is 2013 still crying like a 4 year old.
it’s not crying, it’s a fact in evidence of how the USA was close before to the semis; those that always claim it’s impossible deserve to be reminded of these things
I’m not saying the USA are going to the semis, but they were close…it’s possible
Mexico was a handball away from tying the previous game.
and then still losing 2-1
I’m not sure that clarification makes your comment any less…incredible. But I like your optimism
If they can somehow get MB on the team I’ll raise my prediction to winning that 3rd place match in Brazil!
This is some strong Kool-Aid. For all we know we could get drawn with Brazil, Belgium/Portugal, and Ivory Coast/Japan. I am not ready to say we won’t finish 4th in our own group. Way too much undecided.
My initial comment was joking about Sunderland making top 4. Since everyone enjoyed it so much I pushed it a little by switching it to the USMNT. When it comes to the Yanks, I drink the Kool-Aid.
In a group with Japan, we finish third. Japan lost to Mexico this year.
When at Everton, David Moyes expressed an admiration for Clint Dempsey!….just sayin.
So he can sit on the bench next to Chicharito at United?
No thanks. Although that would make for some great shots of the bench, Cheech and Demps with their arms folded in disgust for not playing.
Yeah, Dempsey needs to go to a club that more realistically appraises itself than Tottenham. But not a club that has two full squads like Man U.
sunderland top 4…. lol good one.
Napoli.
Please no more of that corrupt league. I stopped caring about Italian football I think after the 4th charge for match fixing in the past decade.
Not sure why Dempsey would go to Sunderland… but I am sure it would be good for him and Jozy to play a whole year together. I hope he goes to Arsenal and gets the CL football he wants.
nobody is going from tottenham to arsenal
It’s happened. Campbell, Adebayor, Gallas etc
Those players went from Arsenal to Tottenham. Nobody goes from Tottenham to Arsenal.
Sol Campbell
ur stupid
over the years its been roughly equal, 12 from the tots to arse, 11 from arse to the tots
Adebayor went to Man city 1st not Arsenal to Spurs
Not good enough
Dempsey is plenty good enough for Arsenal… he is just as good as Podolski, Gervinho, Arteta and Walcott…
American fans (especially the Euro Snobs) are so afraid to puff out their chest and say “yeah we have one of the better players in the Premier League”… despite it being a fact.
Gervinho is on the way out, Arteta plays a completely different position and its very debatable at best to say Dempsey is better than Podolski or Walcott. He would be in competition with those 2, Cazorla, and whoever comes in during the summer meaning he would be a rotational player at best. He is a step below Arsenal. No one is saying he isn’t one of the better players in the Premier League. We need to be realistic though
Bull. He’s just as good as most of those players you mentioned, probably a better, full game player, who scores out of nothing. That’s what Arsenal need.
Just like we did not need him last season when American fans and media wanted to force him on Arsenal, we’ll pass on Dempsey again.
If he isn’t good enough for Tottenham (apparently) then why would he be bought by arsenal who have more and better attacking options?
Dempsey will make it no matter where he ends up.
maybe but he didnt really perform that way this season, never found his place, didnt really fit in all that well when he was on the field. perhaps he just doesnt fit at Tottenham.
If you throw out Clint’s first year at Fulham, he averaged 42.6 appearances per season and 11.8 goals per season across all competitions.
With Spurs he had 43 appearances and 12 goals across all competitions. Not bad considering he missed pre-season, and had to transition to a new team that were not as geared to him as Fulham was.
There is no reason to think Clint would be out of place on any team in the Prem. And his age should not be an issue as he was never fast so he has no speed to lose. He is the sort of player who can probably play in the EPL for a long time. He reminds me of Mexico’s Blanco.
The problem is Clint is not easy to categorize and so a lot of teams aren’t sure about where exactly to play him. The other problem is Clint is relatively cheap. On the bigger clubs chances are there will always some big money buy (Podolski?) ahead of him who costs more and therefore will be given more chances.
Of course the reality is it’s not easy for anyone who isn’t a multi jillion super star to get playing time in the EPL. I’m not sure how reliable these rumors are anyway. AVB, who regards Clint as a striker not a midfielder has always been very complimentary of Clint. And if he wants funds there are other guys who will net him more profit.
We need a strong domestic league.
The English do, too.
Hahah…Only 38% of players in the EPL are actually English. So that works on a lot of levels.
England needs to develop youth players with skills and technical ability..same with MLS
+ 1 Man, I like all this talk above. Where you been all my life? If USA wants to even remotely consider winning the W.C., things gotta change domestically.
I think only one thing has to change. Id iot US Soccer fans have to start supporting THEIR league.
Dempsy will stay and be will play. Period. Next story.
No kidding. We had NO domestic league twenty years ago.
You want a strong domestic league? Get out and support the one we’ve got. You want big money in the MLS? Watch MLS games on TV instead the EPL, and demand coverage from networks and your providers. Bring in the numbers, and the networks and advertisers will bring the cash. What MLS does with it is another matter, but can’t make the engine run if it ain’t got gas.
Don Garber, is that you?
The issue with MLS isn’t the quality of players, or a needed influx of cash, it’s that the quality on the field is atrocious. This is why none of the top players in the US want to play at home (unless they’re afraid of a challenge *cough*Donovan*cough*). There’s one team in MLS that’s worth watching for stylistic purposes. Everyone else plays the same style you can find at your local Division I college. When the league stops recycling the same boring coaches or crap retired players without any coaching experience at any level and start hiring coaches with a clue, then I’ll “demand” coverage from networks.
You’re thinking of MLS 5-10 years ago. If you think all teams play the same style as U.S. college teams, it’s because you don’t watch.
The product on the field has improved dramatically over the last decade. This comes from a former Eurosnob.
MLS has issues, but it’s growing and improving. If you want the national team to continue to do the same, you should support MLS more and quit complaining.
+1
only the uniformed keep spieling Xander’s outdated and bitter perspective
You are way off base. Dempsey is reportedly getting $6 million per year at Spurs; Friedel was getting that before this year. That’s more than any player gets in MLS. Donovan gets $2.5 million in contrast. According to a recent story Herculez Gomez never got more than $55k in MLS, now gets about 10 times in Liga MX. MLS quality is noticeably better than even 3 or 4 years ago.
Remove the artificial constraints on salaries and let the owners who care buy great players. Then we would see some really big names in MLS, the quality would improve and more people would care.
And also a league without competitive balance, which leads to losing teams losing fans, which leads to those teams losing money, which leads to those teams folding, which leads to the league folding. Sound familiar?
Atrocious? Now you’re just trolling.
Dude…I have season tickets to a MLS team and have been going to US soccer games since before 90% of the people on this site were born ( mid 70s ).
Just saying we need strong domestic league.
…and Xander Crews, watch MLS before you comment on it.
You could not be more wrong.