Manchester city rumours : Man city going after LA Galaxy Landon Donovan and Portugal’s Fabiano
U.S. international player Landon Donovan has caught the eye of the English Premier League Manchester City. The team is considering moving the LA Galaxy midfielder back across the pond to the betterment of both their futures in football.
Yahoo Sports reported that the English Premier Club is tabling a bid somewhere around $12 million for the US attacking midfielder, who also plays winger and forward. The club is making a full-fledged assault on qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
If Donovan is seriously considering a move to England, he should say no to Manchester City and sign on with Everton. He wouldn’t have to compete for playing time if he goes with Everton. Manchester City has been buying up all the big names in football, and Donovan would just be an item in their collection rather than an esteemed teammate.
Donovan's current contract with MLS allows him to seek loans during the American off-season. Donovan played with Everton on loan when the 2009 MLS season ended. He was named the club’s player of the Month for January, played in every game and scored two goals. He would have extended his loan deal with eagerness but the Galaxy refused it and Donovan returned to the states for the 2010 season.
No doubt a move to England would further his career. But choosing the right club to lend his talents to will be a decision that should not be taken lightly, or influenced by the money, if that's possible.
Donovan was unhappy during his two stints at Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. He never warned to life there or rose to his potential. He ended the stretch on poor terms with Bayern executives and then manager Jurgen Klinsman. Bayern reserve team coach Hermann Gerland was not as impressed as Klinsman was with Donovan’s talents. He thought Donovan “wasn’t fit” to play with the reserves.
Donovan has proven to be successful in countries and teams where he feels support from team mates, coaches, and fans. Everton is great example. Manager David Moyes showed his confidence in him by starting him against Arsenal shortly after joining the team. Moyes developed Donovan within his scope of abilities to be an integral supporting role on the team. Donovan delivered strong performances in return, and rapidly became a crowd favourite amongst Everton fans.
Donovan is in high demand after his performance at the World Cup. He scored three goals in four matches during the World Cup, including the last goal that sent the Stars and Stripes to the knockout round. Despite the money Manchester City is throwing his way, Donovan also has to consider certain personal matters when choosing to play with an English team. Reports surfaced that a British woman is carrying his child, much to the dismay of his wife Bianca Kajlich, though the two are currently separated.
But Donovan is not the only player scouted by Manchester City. Portugal’s Louis Fabiano is also being looked at, as well as Shaun Wright-Philips and Adam Johnson. And the club has lots of money to spend on enticing talent. Manchester City was purchased by a member of the ruling family of Abu Dabhi, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahayn. Since being bought up the club has embarked on a massive spending spree. City has spent an estimated 110 million pounds in transfer fees over the past year.
Money shouldn’t be the only influence for this international player. He knows he plays for the love of the game, not the spoils, and would be smart to return to a team like Everton, or one like it, where he is valued.
Regardless, Donovan might not have a say in all this in the end. His contract with MLS states they are obligated to obtain the best deal they can for him, which may dictate where Donovan ends up.
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