Man City looking to sign Donovan

[Lyndhurst 14]

Man City is targeting Landon Donovan as a possible new signing. Just what English football needs – yet more foreign players. The World Cup is always a showcase for new soccer talent so I’m sure he won’t be the only one.

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/sources-worlds-richest-club-eyeing-donovan--fbintl_ro-donovan062710.html

 

[Gwylan]

He's scarcely an additional foreign player - he was at Everton last season. He's had a good world cup though, by far the best of the septics.

I reckon that there are a few Chilean, Slovak and Japanese being eyed up too.

 

[folkestonesgull]

The number of foreign players in the premiership is not the only problem, its the lack of english players playing in foreign leagues as well.

Would our players perform better on the global stage if they had previously had to adapt to a different culture and be taken outside of their comfort zone? I think so.

 

[strings]

The number of foreign players in the premiership is not the only problem, its the lack of english players playing in foreign leagues as well.

Would our players perform better on the global stage if they had previously had to adapt to a different culture and be taken outside of their comfort zone? I think so.

I absolutely agree. Also it is partially due (in my opinion) to British football scouts only looking for the bigger, more developed kids. There seems to be little emphasis on skill. I know there are exceptions (Walcott, Lennon, even Dean Cox), but there seem to be far more skilled footballers in foreign football and far more big cloggers in British football. I'm hoping the new national football centre (when it finally opens) will place some emphasis on skill.

Perhaps Gerrard and Ashley Cole for a start would benefit from a move abroad...

 

[Twinkle Toes]

It's largely the foreign players who make the our domestic football - & especially the Premiershit - half decent imo. I'd like to think that our own 'professionals' would learn a thing or too from them, but judging by our woeful international capitulations & their inibility to do the very basics, it's pretty evident that ain't happening. I'd like to see a proportion of the obscene amount of money (that sloshes around in our game) being directed into better facilities & quality coaching in order to improve the skills of our young talent. Will it ever happen though? Will it f***.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I absolutely agree. Also it is partially due (in my opinion) to British football scouts only looking for the bigger, more developed kids. There seems to be little emphasis on skill. I know there are exceptions (Walcott, Lennon, even Dean Cox), but there seem to be far more skilled footballers in foreign football and far more big cloggers in British football. I'm hoping the new national football centre (when it finally opens) will place some emphasis on skill.

Perhaps Gerrard and Ashley Cole for a start would benefit from a move abroad...

Odd examples. Both Walcott and Lennon have limited 'skill' and have got where they are purely through being quick. Not that this is a bad thing [being quick], obviously.

Going right back to the times of Hoddles, or Le Tissier, any English player who wanted to control the ball, keep possession and pick a pass, has been considered LAZY.

 

[clarkey]

With all the foreign owners and managers its not going to change in a hurry either.

 

[SirDouglasLoft]

The number of foreign players in the premiership is not the only problem, its the lack of english players playing in foreign leagues as well.

Would our players perform better on the global stage if they had previously had to adapt to a different culture and be taken outside of their comfort zone? I think so.

Every German player plays in the Bundasliga and they seem to be doing alright.

 

[sam86]

Every German player plays in the Bundasliga and they seem to be doing alright.

Yes, but, their not all German are they, so they are basically playing in a foreign league

 

[les dynam]

Every German player plays in the Bundasliga and they seem to be doing alright.

have you watched many bundesliga games? ignore lazy cliches about teams being solely efficient hard working etc etc most teams are technically very good, calm possession-based football from front to back etc. it's a crackin league for so many reasons, the standard of football being one of them.

 

[Gazwag]

He looked a bit past it when he was on I'm a celebrity

 

[folkestonesgull]

Things have started to improve - at my wifes primary school (don't worry, she's a teacher) there is a brazilian soccer after school club -(simon clifford introduced this to the UK) which uses a small heavy ball that can't be lumped forward and the training is based around close control and short passes.

Sadly the kids are only 6....

 

[HseagullsH]

He's a decent player, but Man City won't make the transition to "European major force" with signings like that.

 

[aviaviavioioioi]

He should sign for a smaller club like Everton or Newcastle not a top five team otherwise he will spend a lot of time on the bench. Clubs always go mental for players that do well in the World Cup.

 

[seagulls4ever]

Odd examples. Both Walcott and Lennon have limited 'skill' and have got where they are purely through being quick. Not that this is a bad thing [being quick], obviously.

Going right back to the times of Hoddles, or Le Tissier, any English player who wanted to control the ball, keep possession and pick a pass, has been considered LAZY.

Walcott I agree with, however Lennon is an extremely skillful player.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Is playing abroad helping Pennant?

 

[perseus]

Man City is targeting Landon Donovan as a possible new signing. Just what English football needs – yet more foreign players. The World Cup is always a showcase for new soccer talent so I’m sure he won’t be the only one.

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/sources-worlds-richest-club-eyeing-donovan--fbintl_ro-donovan062710.html

They might as well try and "Catch the Wind"