The Mail Bag
Jozy Altidore
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As an American Evertonian I am always interested in my fellow Blue's opinions about American players. I do have to say that I'm little surprised at some of the recent backlash upon Tim Howard, but each to their own I guess.
But it was just announced on ESPN (news crawler at the bottom of the page actually) that Jozy Altidore told "Goal.com" that he DOES NOT want to return to Villarreal; that he wants to go someplace where he will play on a fairly regular basis. He was the most expensive U.S. transfer ever ($10 million), and there were rumors that Moyes was interested in getting him on loan in January.
I will say that he is only 19 and was not fully fit in the Confed Cup because he has hardly played this season except for U.S. World Cup qualifiers. Would you want to see him in a Blue shirt?
Chris Wilson, Posted 29/06/2009 at 13:14:41
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He has been on loan for a while now, and is the biggest prospect coming from the USA at the moment, but at the same time ? what happened to Freddy Adu?
Re Howard, I think the points being made are that he is a very good standard goalkeeper, but he is not a particularily good top goalkeeper. He does the basics well, but will never pull off the remarkable and change a result for you (penalty saves aside). Ladyboy’s goal that went under him, 2 of the goals at Villa Park.. some great stops in the CrapFed cup final, but then lets in a couple of really soft ones. That’s Howard all over. For me, he is the best we have had since Big Nev, but that’s more of an indictment of those who have followed Southall...
Onyewu is a decent stopper in the event Lescott leaves. Personally I think Dempsey has improved a lot. He has good touch, is good in the air and works real hard. Bradley in midfield is young and improving. Donovan is the only one still playing in the US though I don?t know what his contract status is with Bayern Munich.
Moyes I am sure has had all of them on his radar.
Not really a prospect, he’s 27. I’d really like us to sign him, he’s a good player, but he’s not a prospect, he’s at his peak. Just had six months on loan at bayern Munich as understudy to Ribery actually.
If we could get Altidore cheap or on loan, I’d like us to. he’s not worth what Villareal paid but is a handy player.
Freddy Adu could still develop into a good player, but unfortunately he was hyped up so much as a 14 year old so much that he can’t possibly live up to it. He also moved abroad too young, another few years in the MLS learning the game would have done him good.
Donovan reminds me a lot of Arteta. In most ways I rate Arteta higher, however Donovan has one amazing asset that I haven’t seen from our best little spaniard... he lives for the big game. IMO Mikel has his best games against midlevel or lower competition and can be shut out in big games. Donovan seems to be the exact opposite - the bigger the game, the more he rises to the occasion.
I’m not sure how Donovan would feel about playing out on the right though, he loves being in the center and having everything run through him (ala fabregas). He is an arrogant little dude, but he is a gamer, so I’d take him.
Adu never lived up to the hype (he is an adequate player, but nothing "special"). Interestingly, due to the focus being paid to Adu, Altidore (who is the same age) was able to be a tad sheltered from the media focus. He is a MUCH better prospect in my opinion. He is a beast physically and when he is getting regular playing time, he has a good motor and a real knack for finishing (kinda like Cahill). I rate him higher than Anichebe, I’m not sure about Vaughan.
Bradley however is the real steal in my opinion. he is the most likely future blue and I really hope he makes it one day (sooner rather than later).
Donovan is ready to be a productive blue today, but Altidore and Bradley could be answers for us for a long time. I’d love to see at least one of these happen.
Thing is, if you watched Peanuts against Brazil, what price would you put on him £20M... £30M maybe, when really he?s a £8 to £10M player, good player but awful final ball.
If Lescott were to leave (god forbid!), Onyewu would be a creditable replacement. He?s just as big and strong as Lescott and he?s faster, plus he?s outstanding on the ball ? great touch. His weakness is getting suckered out of position from ballwatching, but he held position well against Spain and he?s learning.
I?m not as optimistic about Bradley. His work rate is phenomenal and he?s an excellent passer for such a big guy, but all his goals come from opportunism in the box ? he can?t shoot at all with either foot. And he commits lots of bad fouls just outside the area. (Geez, he sounds the Big Fella at the start of last season!) If the defensive midfield job is open, I?d much rather just hand it to Rodwell, who is faster and more skilled, than sign Bradley for it.
Donovan as a right-side midfielder is an intriguing idea. To me, that?s his best position. He certainly has the speed and the ability to cross and create, and he never stops running or tracking back. Thing is, he?s the same size as Osman, and just as easy to knock off the ball (if not nearly as easy to catch up with).
There no mystery about Adu. So far, he just hasn?t grown, either physically or professionally. He still has outstanding skills, but not many 135-pounders make it big. He?s only 20 and still has time to add the muscle, but he needs to get off the bench at Benfica and get games. If he does, he still might make the US bench at the World Cup.
Personally, I?d like to see Everton take a close look at Altidore and, if necessary, Onyewu.
Really?! Granted, his distribution can be a little inconsistent but perhaps only Arteta can split a defence like Pienaar. Just ask Leighton Baines!
I would like to see Bradley and Donovan for sure. Donovan has that twat look about him sometimes but usually can back it up. Bradley would provide some needed steel in the midfield though sometimes he attends the Paul Scholes School of Tackling.
As for Onyewu ? he was appalling in the first two US games in the Confederations Cup and didn?t Newcastle already try that experiment? True, he played better against Spain and Brazil and has a big presence but is clueless more often than not. I don?t think he would be the ?ideal? replacement should we lose Lescott.
Donovan would have to play on the wing - no ifs ands or buts. He’s too small for the Premiership up front. But he’s got incredible pace. He in no way should be compared to Arteta. He’s not near as creative. His effectiveness at Everton would be out wide and he’d settle in and have the same influence as Pienaar does. He could be the answer to our right side need and be within our budget.
Altidore - when the guy is on, he’s a beast. When he’s off, the roams aimlessly. At 19 I think he’d be a great signing with the talent and physical attributes he has. But there shouldn’t be a ton of expectation and he’ll need time.
Does anyone else thin Demerrit was nothing short of fantastic? I don’t think he’ll be at Watford much longer. Not so sure I wouldn’t like to see him as cover as he’s surely more economical than Onyewu - that is as long as we’re talking Americans.
Do any other Americans think it’s just fantastic we’re actually talking about 6 to 7 US players in such high regard? I do.
Lastly Adu: there’s a lot of Americans, myself included, who are befuddled why this kid doesn’t play. To bring in Klejstan (sp?) ahead of him is just ridiculous. He’s very good up the middle in the attacking midfield role, distributing wide. I think the kid has gotten a very raw deal with the USMNT and deserves to play much more. But we truly don’t need him at Everton. There’s other areas that must be addressed first. But I do think, on the right team, the kid will progress and make good eventually. He’s talented.
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1 Posted 29/06/2009 at 18:44:16
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The man I would like to see is Landon Donovan. Having watched the USA play their World Cup qualies and all through the Confederations Cup, he has impressed me every time he has played.
He could be the right winger we are looking for. He is clever, a brilliant play maker, and he has the Everton ethos of working damn bloody hard and he tracks back really well. He would be a perfect replacement for Osman, and surely wouldn't be all that expensive considering his age and that he plays for LA Galaxy.