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McCarthy's Musings: The Friday Five Weighs Donovan's Mooted Move To Everton
Los Angeles midfielder Landon Donovan is apparently heading to Everton. Kyle McCarthy breaks down Donovan's projected move to the Premier League in the Friday Five.
Dec 11, 2009 3:41:13 AM
By Kyle McCarthy
It appears Landon Donovan has found a way to keep himself busy during the MLS close season.
Reigning MLS MVP Donovan, 27, is expected to join English Premier League side Everton on loan if all of the smoke on both sides of the pond is indeed correct. The short-term deal will see Donovan spend approximately three months with the injury-hit Toffees before returning to the Galaxy in time for the start of the MLS campaign, according to reports.
(For what it's worth, Los Angeles issued a denial yesterday and suggested Everton was just one of a number of teams interested in Donovan's services. We'll see if the Galaxy's lone voice in a choir of contrary mutterings holds up or not.)
Will the third time finally prove the charm for Donovan in Europe? The Friday Five examines whether Donovan will have what it takes to make an impact during his short time in blue.
1. Opportunity beckons... This proposed deal would represent the best opportunity Donovan has had to impress in his three spells in Europe. Everton manager David Moyes wants him. Everton's management wants him. Everton's depleted squad needs him. Whether as a starter or as a reliable bench option, Donovan should have the chance to log some high-caliber minutes and erase the memory of a frustrating stint at Bayern Munich last winter. Although this move represents a step up for Donovan, the American international is coming off perhaps his best season in MLS and certainly possesses the ability, the speed of play, the quickness, the change of pace and the finishing prowess to make an impact for Everton should he find his feet.
2. ...but it could end up like Germany all over again. Donovan isn't just going to walk into Moyes' side, especially considering the brief length of his deal. Moyes prefers to play a 4-5-1 formation and will almost certainly look to deploy Donovan in the wide areas with Australian midfielder Tim Cahill providing the attacking thrust through the middle more often than not. Cahill's presence in the center of the park means Donovan will have to earn time on the right wing ahead of Steven Pienaar (with Russian international Diniyar Bilyaletdinov a more natural fit on the left) or hope Moyes plays him and the Aussie in support of Jo, Louis Saha or Yakubu up front. Leon Osman – a steady, unsung contributor and a regular in the side – could complicate matters further if he returns to fitness from a foot injury soon rather than later to increase competition. Suffice it to say that Donovan will have to adjust to the Premier League quickly if he wants regular reps in the starting XI.
3. Entering the shop window. If Donovan is indeed serious about trying his luck overseas, he hardly could have picked a better spot to land to curry subsequent interest in a permanent deal. No other league in the world garners the attention like the EPL does and no one trumps up a player better than the British tabloids do if he's in the middle of a decent run of form. Because England awaits in the first match of the World Cup, Donovan will attract plenty of eyeballs. Performing to his capabilities may just inspire some team to stump up the small fortune MLS would want to free him from his deal after the World Cup.
4. A potential boon for Bob Bradley... At this point in his career, Donovan isn't particularly challenged by the level of play in MLS. Donovan, for all intents and purposes, is a step ahead of his peers on the domestic front. That's all well and good, but that comfort level doesn't provide the best preparation for the rigors of World Cup play. If Donovan can get a significant number of competitive games under his belt in the Premier League and the Europa League, then Bradley will have his talisman primed for World Cup glory should he carry that confidence and momentum back to the States. One potential concern: will Donovan's legs desert him in South Africa after a second consecutive offseason filled with loan duty?
5. ...but a potential nightmare for Bruce Arena. Donovan's (and, to a lesser extent, David Beckham's) presence in the Galaxy lineup is the difference between a spot in mid-table and a berth in MLS Cup. All indications are that Donovan will return prior to the MLS campaign and Arena better hope this is the case. Heaven forbid if injury strikes and Donovan spends most of his World Cup prep time rehabilitating from a knock instead of suiting up at the Home Depot Center. The Galaxy simply can't afford to ponder life without Donovan until after the World Cup.
Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSnet.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
It appears Landon Donovan has found a way to keep himself busy during the MLS close season.
Reigning MLS MVP Donovan, 27, is expected to join English Premier League side Everton on loan if all of the smoke on both sides of the pond is indeed correct. The short-term deal will see Donovan spend approximately three months with the injury-hit Toffees before returning to the Galaxy in time for the start of the MLS campaign, according to reports.
(For what it's worth, Los Angeles issued a denial yesterday and suggested Everton was just one of a number of teams interested in Donovan's services. We'll see if the Galaxy's lone voice in a choir of contrary mutterings holds up or not.)
Will the third time finally prove the charm for Donovan in Europe? The Friday Five examines whether Donovan will have what it takes to make an impact during his short time in blue.
1. Opportunity beckons... This proposed deal would represent the best opportunity Donovan has had to impress in his three spells in Europe. Everton manager David Moyes wants him. Everton's management wants him. Everton's depleted squad needs him. Whether as a starter or as a reliable bench option, Donovan should have the chance to log some high-caliber minutes and erase the memory of a frustrating stint at Bayern Munich last winter. Although this move represents a step up for Donovan, the American international is coming off perhaps his best season in MLS and certainly possesses the ability, the speed of play, the quickness, the change of pace and the finishing prowess to make an impact for Everton should he find his feet.
2. ...but it could end up like Germany all over again. Donovan isn't just going to walk into Moyes' side, especially considering the brief length of his deal. Moyes prefers to play a 4-5-1 formation and will almost certainly look to deploy Donovan in the wide areas with Australian midfielder Tim Cahill providing the attacking thrust through the middle more often than not. Cahill's presence in the center of the park means Donovan will have to earn time on the right wing ahead of Steven Pienaar (with Russian international Diniyar Bilyaletdinov a more natural fit on the left) or hope Moyes plays him and the Aussie in support of Jo, Louis Saha or Yakubu up front. Leon Osman – a steady, unsung contributor and a regular in the side – could complicate matters further if he returns to fitness from a foot injury soon rather than later to increase competition. Suffice it to say that Donovan will have to adjust to the Premier League quickly if he wants regular reps in the starting XI.
3. Entering the shop window. If Donovan is indeed serious about trying his luck overseas, he hardly could have picked a better spot to land to curry subsequent interest in a permanent deal. No other league in the world garners the attention like the EPL does and no one trumps up a player better than the British tabloids do if he's in the middle of a decent run of form. Because England awaits in the first match of the World Cup, Donovan will attract plenty of eyeballs. Performing to his capabilities may just inspire some team to stump up the small fortune MLS would want to free him from his deal after the World Cup.
4. A potential boon for Bob Bradley... At this point in his career, Donovan isn't particularly challenged by the level of play in MLS. Donovan, for all intents and purposes, is a step ahead of his peers on the domestic front. That's all well and good, but that comfort level doesn't provide the best preparation for the rigors of World Cup play. If Donovan can get a significant number of competitive games under his belt in the Premier League and the Europa League, then Bradley will have his talisman primed for World Cup glory should he carry that confidence and momentum back to the States. One potential concern: will Donovan's legs desert him in South Africa after a second consecutive offseason filled with loan duty?
5. ...but a potential nightmare for Bruce Arena. Donovan's (and, to a lesser extent, David Beckham's) presence in the Galaxy lineup is the difference between a spot in mid-table and a berth in MLS Cup. All indications are that Donovan will return prior to the MLS campaign and Arena better hope this is the case. Heaven forbid if injury strikes and Donovan spends most of his World Cup prep time rehabilitating from a knock instead of suiting up at the Home Depot Center. The Galaxy simply can't afford to ponder life without Donovan until after the World Cup.
Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSnet.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page.
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