Gyasi Zardes has long been linked to a slew of European clubs, and English Championship outfit Reading FC has made its intentions known when it comes to the pursuit of the U.S. Men’s National Team forward.
Reading manager Steve Clarke confirmed his interest in the LA Galaxy forward on Tuesday, admitting that Zardes has been on the club’s radar for quite some time. The major stumbling block remains price, though, as Zardes is reportedly expected to command a $3 million transfer fee should he depart the Galaxy.
“Zardes has been on a few clubs’ radar for a little while,” Clarke said. “He’s a player that we’ve had watched and we’ve got some reports on him. He’s another possibility that’s out there.
“Can we afford him? That’s probably not a question I can answer.”
Zardes’ international teammate, Danny Williams, has called Reading home since 2013. The USMNT midfielder was quick to state his admiration of Zardes’ game while revealing his hope that the 24-year-old forward would join him at the club.
“He was my roommate on the last trip,” Williams said. “He’s a very good guy who likes to work hard. He’s a good finisher as well with a good record in the MLS. For players like him it’s all about getting a chance to show what they are about in Europe, because I would still say Europe is ahead of the MLS in terms of quality. So I would love to see him at our club because he’s a good player.”
Meanwhile, Colorado Rapids midfielder Dillon Powers has recently been on trial with the Championship side as well.
In 98 appearances for the Galaxy, Zardes has scored 30 goals. On the international level, Zardes became a USMNT fixture in 2015, making 19 appearances and scoring three goals in his first year as a senior international.
What do you think of Reading’s interest in Zardes? Would it be a good move? How would he fare in the Championship?
Share your thoughts below.
Has anyone actually heard from Zardes if he wants to move to Europe? would he start in Reading?
The Galaxy do not want to sell him (just yet) The Galaxy have made winning the CCL as one of their top goals. They will need Zardes for at least the foreseeable future. If they do not win the CCL in May, he will be available for transfer during the bigger summer window and where more teams will be looking.
The Galaxy can use their players as leverage. As Anthony said above, if the MLS want to keep it’s young marquee players, it has to ante up.
Last year the MLS introduced the “Targeted Allocation Money” to address the situation with hint at adding more the next year, but not promising it outright. The Galaxy used it all on paying down the salary of Omar Gonzales, for one year. The Galaxy do need an infusion of allocation money. That’s why I expect they’ll keep Zardes, but sell player like Villarreal or Sorto and allow options to expire or outright and even release some good but fringe players.
Zardes has a “homegrown” contract, which exempts his salary from the cap (for a limited period, though), so it’s easier for the Galaxy to keep him a little longer. Homegrown players also allow all the money received for their transfer, to go directly to the club. BUT, it’s not “allocation money “and cannot be used for salary cap purposes like allocation money awarded by the MLS which can be used or traded.
The Galaxy have a host of decisions to make and options to pursue and selling Zardes is only part of a big equation.
Just not that good for a bigger stage. MLS is his level
It all depends on what “his level” is according to you. To me, during my days as an athlete, it was he highest level where I get regular playing (spot starting, but regularly coming off the bench). For for of my ex-teammates, it was where they could be a regular starter for others, it was where they could be a star/the man. That range ended being from being the man on a very good D3 college team to being a starter on a decent D1 team to being regular player (sub or starter) on top 25 D1 college team.
For me, Championship is a higher level than MLS. Let’s call for what it is, the defending in MLS is crap and technical, attacking players are far and few, but there is a lot of hustle and the pace if frantic. Championship is a higher level of that with more technical players and better defenses. I actually think Zardes can do quite well there. Additionally, just because a player doesn’t dominate a certain level of play does not mean that he won’t dominate a different level. All that matters is that he has transferable skills.
Zardes has shown an uncanny ability to improve at every level, because he works harder than you. Presumably this has its limits but we haven’t seen them yet. Yes we’ve seen streaks, peaks and troughs; but that’s because he’s a human soccer player.
Another over hyped average American to fail in Europe. Big and fast but doesn’t the technical abilities to succeed outside mls. Truth hurts, against T&T he was the worst player on the pitch. First touch is awful
Finally, someone’s calling it as it is. Zardes is Championship quality, and no better than that. If he doesn’t have the first touch at age 24, he will never have it.
yea pretty much
I hope he stays. He is an emerging star in MLS. I think its time MLS starts protecting its talent. Maybe LA will have salary cap issues next year and may be ‘forced’ into letting him go,…but what about teams like the Red Bulls? They have cap room. He is a young national team player,…great all around guy. Why not splash out the money to bring him to NY/NJ?
There are 3 or 4 contrasting interests here:
– 1: MLS – they want to grow and keep as many marquee players as possible
– 2: USMNT: You want their players playing regularly at the highest level they can
– 3: The player: desire to make the most money as possible (since professional careers are short and not guarantee) as quick as possible while balancing that with a place where his family will feel comfortable living.
It is MLS’ interest to keep all marque USMNT players or pool players (no brainer) OR becoming the premier development league to go to big 5 in Europe (a la Eredvisie in Europe). However, as a player, it just makes so sense to leave, if you go to a place where you have a realistic shot of playing and can make serious money. Even MLS they can match the money (Bradley, Clint, Jozy, OG), MLS can still not match the level of play (it would take A LOT more that retaining everyone in USMNT pool to raise it) or experience of living in a different country/culture.
Argh! I hate typing with my thumbs. My answers always come out semi-coherent between auto-fill and not seeing the whole screen as I type.
Agreed,…but you have to start somewhere. They should have a four part strategy:
(1) Retain, to the extent possible, USMNT talent pool;
(2) Make MLS the go-to league for ‘Top’ CONCACAF talent (compete with Mexico for all of the other countries top talent);
(3) Find the young ‘diamonds in the rough’ from South America and Africa;
(4) Forget about the fading 30+ European stars!
# 1 and 2 are doable and for the most part about money. On #3,…you are competing with the world and big money clubs. #4,…takes a little restraint and foresight.
The average Championship salary is about $600k, which Gyasi will never make in MLS unless he’s a DP, which I don’t think he would be. At least not next season.
Slow is right, but his numbers are actually a little low (according to the Daily Mail article a year ago). The average is closer to $800K, but Slow is right, Zardes can never expect that unless he is a DP,which he is not. Is there a chance that the Galaxy can pay him $800K with the credit they have have (much like OG if he goes), yes, but unlikely.
You get $3million, sell him and put Lleget (who is 2 or 3 years younger) on the wing as the regular starter. Everybody is happy unless Zardes and his wife don’t actually want to move.
defiantly go time for both Gyasi and LA. at his age its time to take the opportunity and LA has a full salary cap and more than enough emerging stars/established forwards.
while retaining young marketable US stars is a good idea for MLS its not to the benefit of the national team or individuals’ careers. Plus I think it is more beneficial for the league to be producing and supplying rather than hording talent. helps build an intern’l reputation – if he does well.. if not he will come back to LA
Exactly my sentiments.
(1) Does he qualify for a work permit? I can never figure out who qualifies straight away, through an appeal, or not at all.
(2) How deep is Reading at the positions where Zardes might play?
Generally for a work permit, a player must have appeared in a certain percentage of his country’s games over a certain period (maybe 18-24 months). Zardes appeared in nearly every USMNT game in 2015 but never before that. I’m sure he would qualify in the near future if he isn’t qualified right now.
Reading isn’t that deep at striker though I wouldnt think he would jump straight into the team. They’ve got Hal Robson Kanu and Blackman who already fit the wide striker roll but either or both might go in January. Sounds like Reading may also sign Dillon Powers in Jan.
My recollection is that a player must have started at least 80% of his national team games in the last year, so Zardes qualifies. I’d like him to go a little higher than Reading, though. Despite a number of naysayers here, I think he could handle a higher level than Reading.
I cant see him being worth 3 Mill and I don’t think he’s good enough for a bigger league. His skills are lacking and that will be exposed if he goes there. As Clint Eastwood once said…”A man’s got to know his limitations.”
I would think Arena jumps at this, he’s got to do some contract shuffling before next season.
He’s specifically built for the championship. Big, strong, fast and under-skilled. At 24 he’s not getting any better and he’s not getting offers for a better league.This is his golden opportunity
Would be a good first move into Europe. Reading have a chance at promotion this year too.
How much longer does he have in his contract?
We all know 3 miil won’t make or break LA but it’s better than getting nothing next year.
If he signed a 4 year contract like most players do, he has just next year left. If he signed a 5 year contract which isn’t all that unlikely than he has 2, but he would most likely qualify for the UK Permit halfway through next year, and might be better for him to join a club in preseason than in the middle of the season.
I don’t think the Galaxy would get that transfer fee. That would go to the MLS, and then be redistributed as allocation money. Although perhaps that’s different in the case of Zardes because he’s a designated “Homegrown?”
One thing for sure – MLS will do their level best to make sure no one knows the answer to this.
if it happens, don’t budge on the transfer fee!!!
I personally hope he gives Europe a go, people can say what they want about Europe vs MLS but the fact remains that the coaching, consistency at which your in high pressure situations and overall quality of being in Europe tends to make one a better player. I love MLS just as much as the next person but I think if GZ goes overseas he’ll become a better player quicker than if he remains stateside, Lord knows his touch needs vast improvement and that is something that will become better abroad
Idk if Europe is for him and I can’t see him becoming that much better. For his age he’s extremely raw, I think going sooner would have him better
Early and sustained success would lead to making him a better player. Just being in Europe does not necessarily make one a better player. Ask Brek Shea, Freddie Adu, and Eddie Johnson about how much better they got in Europe.
Well well well…Since Bolton is circling the drain, we might have a new team in the Championship to support! What shall we call her?
“Reading, White and Blue”
or
“Reading-America”