RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Landon Donovan: In England, I Would Only Want To Play For Everton
Landon Donovan, back on American soil, discussed his loan move at Everton.
Mar 17, 2010 4:48:00 PM
By Zac Lee Rigg and Andrea Canales
CARSON, Calif. -- Following a 10-week loan at Everton, Landon Donovan is back in southern California. But the 28-year-old won't be forgetting his stint in Liverpool any time soon.
"If I ever went back to England I would only want to play for Everton," Donovan asserted in a press conference today, seemingly squashing any rumors of Chelsea bidding for his services.
"Playing at Goodison Park is really special. As much talk there is about getting a new stadium, there's something about a historic place. People have gone there for years. I'm just a player there for 10 weeks; this is their life."
During that 10-week spell, Donovan played in matches against Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
"Consistently, it's the highest level I've played at," the U.S. international said. "That was intense."
Starting with an assist in his first match against Arsenal, Donovan bedded in quickly. Eventually he notched two goals during the loan as Everton shot up the table. As opposed to failed stints in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, the fans took to the American quickly, chanting “USA - You Must Stay” in his last match.
"I consciously didn't have any expectations," the LA Galaxy captain said of his mindset going into the deal. "I wanted to take each day as it came and make the most of it. I went with an open mind. It's funny what happens when you do that."
Donovan jets off to the capitol tomorrow for MLS Players Union talks as the league and union still haggle over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. But the uncertainty over a 2010 MLS season won't be the only difference from England.
"The people in England in general are pretty witty, humorous. The biggest difference for me was the locker room," Donovan said. "From the minute I walked in, I could feel the energy. It was a different culture to be in."
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
"If I ever went back to England I would only want to play for Everton," Donovan asserted in a press conference today, seemingly squashing any rumors of Chelsea bidding for his services.
"Playing at Goodison Park is really special. As much talk there is about getting a new stadium, there's something about a historic place. People have gone there for years. I'm just a player there for 10 weeks; this is their life."
During that 10-week spell, Donovan played in matches against Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
"Consistently, it's the highest level I've played at," the U.S. international said. "That was intense."
Starting with an assist in his first match against Arsenal, Donovan bedded in quickly. Eventually he notched two goals during the loan as Everton shot up the table. As opposed to failed stints in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, the fans took to the American quickly, chanting “USA - You Must Stay” in his last match.
"I consciously didn't have any expectations," the LA Galaxy captain said of his mindset going into the deal. "I wanted to take each day as it came and make the most of it. I went with an open mind. It's funny what happens when you do that."
Donovan jets off to the capitol tomorrow for MLS Players Union talks as the league and union still haggle over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. But the uncertainty over a 2010 MLS season won't be the only difference from England.
"The people in England in general are pretty witty, humorous. The biggest difference for me was the locker room," Donovan said. "From the minute I walked in, I could feel the energy. It was a different culture to be in."
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
18 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February
The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.
-
DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream
In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.
-
ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein
Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.
-
LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction
With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?
-
ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment
Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.
Advertisement
Advertisement