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Canales Corner: Everton's Moyes Sees New World Potential
Landon Donovan's loan move to Everton, if it happens, wouldn't be the first time David Moyes has reached across the pond for reinforcements.
Dec 9, 2009 4:09:29 PM
By Andrea Canales
Some could imagine that Everton coach David Moyes started to wonder about the little midfielder/forward who kept beating out his excellent goalkeeper, Tim Howard, for the USA Player of the Year Award.
Yet Moyes has proven himself familiar with American talent and potential beyond that of the position in which most USA players are rated - as goalkeepers.
It was Moyes, after all, who took a chance on Brian McBride, bringing the tall forward from Major League Soccer on loan to Preston North End in 2000.
Loans seem to be Moyes' preferred mode of fitting in new players. He sought another loan deal for McBride in 2002 with Everton, and first took Howard on under a loan agreement with Manchester United.
Moyes is known as a dedicated manager of his team who doesn't merely assign scouting duties to assistants, but seeks out opportunities to watch potential players himself whenever he can.
He's also friendly with U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley, who has invited Moyes to the USA team's training grounds to observe practices and training sessions before. Moyes certainly got a good look at Donovan in those situations, years before everyone watching the Confederations Cup this summer realized how much he'd developed.
It can't have escaped the eagle scouting eye of Moyes that Donovan could be a very serviceable replacement for the injured Mikel Arteta. Both are smallish players who compensate by being quick on their feet and controlling the ball well. Arteta crosses better, Donovan probably has a better eye for the threaded through pass to a breaking teammate.
Arteta is a few days younger than Donovan. The Spaniard is also an inch and a half taller, but he has not been blessed with consistent health in his career of late. Donovan's fitness is one major reason he has racked up 120 international caps.
Moyes has turned to Americans before during his times of trouble - he did so twice with McBride, but that never developed into a full transfer. Things worked out well with Howard, but it's very likely that Donovan could play for Everton for a winter loan period as he did with Bayern Munich last season and still be back in MLS when the season kicks off in March.
I've long thought that Donovan would be a better fit in Spain's La Liga than in England. McBride was perfect for England, all guts and athleticism, where Donovan's game depends much more on creativity and finesse.
Opportunities are parceled out by those who have faith, however, which is how Donovan ended up on loan to Jurgen Klinsmann's Bayern Munich last year and why it's likely that he may take Moyes up on any loan offer from Everton.
After all, a player best known for questioning David Beckham's commitment to the Los Angeles Galaxy can't get picky about the perfect situation, no matter how many national team records Donovan holds for the USA.
For that squad, Donovan's potential move may be ideal. As Donovan goes, so tends to follow the rest of the team. Few teams are as dependent on one particular player as the Americans are. Playing time in the tough Premiership, facing players who will feature for England, the most difficult opponent the USA will take on in group play, can only help Donovan and thus, the USA squad.
Everton fans will only care about whether Donovan can help their team in a difficult period. If he performs well, whether Moyes opts for a full transfer or not, the memories of another American at Everton will be fond ones.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Check out "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
Some could imagine that Everton coach David Moyes started to wonder about the little midfielder/forward who kept beating out his excellent goalkeeper, Tim Howard, for the USA Player of the Year Award.
Yet Moyes has proven himself familiar with American talent and potential beyond that of the position in which most USA players are rated - as goalkeepers.
It was Moyes, after all, who took a chance on Brian McBride, bringing the tall forward from Major League Soccer on loan to Preston North End in 2000.
Loans seem to be Moyes' preferred mode of fitting in new players. He sought another loan deal for McBride in 2002 with Everton, and first took Howard on under a loan agreement with Manchester United.
Moyes is known as a dedicated manager of his team who doesn't merely assign scouting duties to assistants, but seeks out opportunities to watch potential players himself whenever he can.
He's also friendly with U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley, who has invited Moyes to the USA team's training grounds to observe practices and training sessions before. Moyes certainly got a good look at Donovan in those situations, years before everyone watching the Confederations Cup this summer realized how much he'd developed.
 David Moyes | Visited USA training camp in 2007 |
Arteta is a few days younger than Donovan. The Spaniard is also an inch and a half taller, but he has not been blessed with consistent health in his career of late. Donovan's fitness is one major reason he has racked up 120 international caps.
Moyes has turned to Americans before during his times of trouble - he did so twice with McBride, but that never developed into a full transfer. Things worked out well with Howard, but it's very likely that Donovan could play for Everton for a winter loan period as he did with Bayern Munich last season and still be back in MLS when the season kicks off in March.
I've long thought that Donovan would be a better fit in Spain's La Liga than in England. McBride was perfect for England, all guts and athleticism, where Donovan's game depends much more on creativity and finesse.
Opportunities are parceled out by those who have faith, however, which is how Donovan ended up on loan to Jurgen Klinsmann's Bayern Munich last year and why it's likely that he may take Moyes up on any loan offer from Everton.
After all, a player best known for questioning David Beckham's commitment to the Los Angeles Galaxy can't get picky about the perfect situation, no matter how many national team records Donovan holds for the USA.
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Everton fans will only care about whether Donovan can help their team in a difficult period. If he performs well, whether Moyes opts for a full transfer or not, the memories of another American at Everton will be fond ones.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Check out "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
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