Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Donovan or a striker?
25 Comments: Just thought of a nice, little hypothetical situation here.
We have been rumoured that we have received 5m in sales for Billy. Hypothetically, if we could have all the money to spend, who would you buy, a 5m striker or Donovan?
I mean, I think 5m is quite a realistic valuation for him. He's the wrong side of the 20s now. But you can see how important he is to us already. At least 3 assists he's done already, and 2 in one game! I dread to think how we are going to be without him.
Or a striker? We can see we are in desperate need of one, but could we get one good enough for 5m?
I would choose Donovan definitely. I think his purchase has made me realise that we have lacked creativity in midfield, as well the need for a new striker. Stracq proved he can score with good service, Anichebe and Cahill are getting into decent form too.
I'm not saying we dont need a striker, of course we do, but I think we should concentrate more on getting Donovan if we can.
I would also like to add that we should definitely buy Drenthe if his wages are not too high. Very inconsistent, but young enough for Moyes to try and groom him to a more mature player. On his day, he is unplayable.
So, striker or Donovan for 5m?
Ben Jones, Posted 29/01/2012 at 14:16:28
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Ben, if Donovan was available I opt for him. He fits in, knows the place and has a good attitude. Sadly, these days, £5 million only buys a striker whom one is inevitably taking a bit of a chance on.
We are not going to buy Donovan because Donovan is the MLS biggest name except Beckham. Maybe in a year and a half we might.
I say forget the likes of Kevin Doyle, unless we are going to bring in a proven goalscorer that isn't past it, which I doubt very much, then give our underused players a chance.
I say "Feed the Stracq and he will score".
I say "Feed the Stracq and he will score".
My first thought was that Landon isn't available anyway (see above), but in any case, is this the right question? What Donovan gives us is speed going forward, penetration, in a word, attack. We actually have strikers - Vellios for me, Vic on a good day, Straca perhaps, and even Saha off the bench - who can stick the ball in. This is hard for anyone to do when there are six defenders around you.
I think Gibson may be a move in the right direction, but for me we need either a playmaker (cost?) or a bustler in midfield who can get the ball forward rapidly and accurately.
That's what Landon does for us, and that's the kind of player we need to go with a developing Drenthe.
I think Gibson may be a move in the right direction, but for me we need either a playmaker (cost?) or a bustler in midfield who can get the ball forward rapidly and accurately.
That's what Landon does for us, and that's the kind of player we need to go with a developing Drenthe.
We need both. Ain't got the money though, we can't spalsh 100 million in 2 windows like Liverpool, so lower leagues and scotland it is. Whats happened to the 7 interested parties we've had in the past 12 months???
If we had a chance to secure Donovan then we should obviously snap him up (just as we should have 2 years ago when he came and made a similarly impressive impact).
Even without solid football reasons it'd arguably be a smart business move to continue raising our profile in a growing (and massive/rich) soccer market.
Fortunately he's every bit as valuable for us on the park too. A strong work ethic to keep Moyes happy, that US-never say die winners mentality plus a decent turn of speed and a real eye for a cross. What's not to like?
Problem is that as has been said LA Galaxy are aware of that too and aren't going to want to surrender their star player readily.
Even without solid football reasons it'd arguably be a smart business move to continue raising our profile in a growing (and massive/rich) soccer market.
Fortunately he's every bit as valuable for us on the park too. A strong work ethic to keep Moyes happy, that US-never say die winners mentality plus a decent turn of speed and a real eye for a cross. What's not to like?
Problem is that as has been said LA Galaxy are aware of that too and aren't going to want to surrender their star player readily.
It's amazing some of the crap you guys believe. We are going through the same rubbish again when we sell a player. Some actually believe the money is available for a new player. Stop believing this spin cos we will sign nobody. Don't put yourselves through another few days of torture and don't listen to the lies coming out of the club.
Moot point. Barclays will be rubbing their hands at the fee, I wouldnt believe £5m. The Russians are superb negotiators and we have Flymo Bob who asked for our fee to be paid in sunbed tokens...
Alright Mick,
I did say hypothetical
I did say hypothetical
Buying Donovan is a no brainer, the club should make back whatever the outlay on him in sponsorship and merchandise alone. I say should as the fantastic deal with Kitbag means its really difficult to buy EFC merchandise outside Liverpool.
I spent my afternoon walking around a pretty large mall in Florida, looking in at a few sports shops. Saw a nice collection of LA Galaxy Donovan shirts and a few Chelsea, Man Utd & Barca. Even if he did sign, I doubt I'd see any of our shirts on sale due to the club signing our life away to Kitbag.
I spent my afternoon walking around a pretty large mall in Florida, looking in at a few sports shops. Saw a nice collection of LA Galaxy Donovan shirts and a few Chelsea, Man Utd & Barca. Even if he did sign, I doubt I'd see any of our shirts on sale due to the club signing our life away to Kitbag.
We don't have the cash to get LD. I'm still proposing we send our talented youth to Arena at Galaxy when season ends rather than having teenagers sitting around doing nothing. Could be put towards mitigating the cost of LD staying at Everton.
Seems sending Barkley and others to play in MLS at that leagues top Club is better than them sitting around.
By the way, Americans Joe Gyue and Josh Gatt will be stars; teenagers they may be now.
Sign-em up Mr. Moyes.
Seems sending Barkley and others to play in MLS at that leagues top Club is better than them sitting around.
By the way, Americans Joe Gyue and Josh Gatt will be stars; teenagers they may be now.
Sign-em up Mr. Moyes.
agreed, donovan in, striker out
I don't think Donovan is interested in becoming a permanent fixture at Goodison. Consider his age and his success in the MLS.
He is picking up some extra cash from Everton and besides I think if Tim Howard wasn't here he wouldn't be either.
Yes, I would buy him if available and at the right price but it is great to have him in that position instead of Osman at least until the end of February.
He is picking up some extra cash from Everton and besides I think if Tim Howard wasn't here he wouldn't be either.
Yes, I would buy him if available and at the right price but it is great to have him in that position instead of Osman at least until the end of February.
If it's true that he wouldn't leave the sun and surf for the Prem League, then he is seriously lacking in ambition. If!! (He has the rest of his life to bask in the sun)
Of course, cynical voices would say joining Everton would be lac....I won't write it, but you know what I mean.
Oh, and at his age, defo no more than £5m, and if in the summer £m; this time next year - £2m. And defo no later; we need a winger, and just as Moyes likes, he can mix it as a striker, too.
Of course, cynical voices would say joining Everton would be lac....I won't write it, but you know what I mean.
Oh, and at his age, defo no more than £5m, and if in the summer £m; this time next year - £2m. And defo no later; we need a winger, and just as Moyes likes, he can mix it as a striker, too.
Spot on Roberto.
Moyes has said a swoop to steal him away from the sunshine state on a permanent transfer, is not something Everton would be pursuing.
Whats baffling about Moyes, is him coming out and saying about Donovan
" I actually didn't think he played too well in midweek, he made the two goals but his all round play could have been better "
Whats baffling about Moyes, is him coming out and saying about Donovan
" I actually didn't think he played too well in midweek, he made the two goals but his all round play could have been better "
Unfortunately I don`t think Donovan will ever see Everton as a permanent employer....think he is happy with the state of things and will be off as soon as the loan period is up, and for once I actually agree with Moyes about his game against Fulham.
Hit two great crosses and we at last managed to get on the end of them, but a lot of his passing was under par.
He is definitely a great addition to the squad when he is here and well worth his place in the team, and yes, we will miss him.
So I would deffo take a striker who could score 10 before the season is out. Straq might just be the man, and I have been watching that young lad Yakubu at Blackburn and a promising lad at Leicester call Beckford,...now they can score goals!!!
Hit two great crosses and we at last managed to get on the end of them, but a lot of his passing was under par.
He is definitely a great addition to the squad when he is here and well worth his place in the team, and yes, we will miss him.
So I would deffo take a striker who could score 10 before the season is out. Straq might just be the man, and I have been watching that young lad Yakubu at Blackburn and a promising lad at Leicester call Beckford,...now they can score goals!!!
I like Donovan, but sometimes I really believe that others must be watching a different player to the one I do. He's been largely shite since he has been back, is pushing 30 and would cost a fortune. Anyone who thinks if we signed him permanently then it would mean every American man and his dog would be sporting Everton kits are wrong. They just glory hunt like the Japs and the Chinese, supporting teams like 'The Gunners' or 'Manchester' (which one for gods sake??)
@ Dan Mckie, We really only get regular coverage of the top teams in the Prem over here so it is kind of hard not to be a glory hunter if you want to see your team play.
But I really do think having Donovan along with Howard has increased the Everton profile in the US. The match against Fulham was the most talked about match here I have ever seen other than the World Cup.
I do support Everton good luck ? with or without LD.
But I really do think having Donovan along with Howard has increased the Everton profile in the US. The match against Fulham was the most talked about match here I have ever seen other than the World Cup.
I do support Everton good luck ? with or without LD.
Dan (48) - Post sober next time.
LD gives us another dimension in attack. No one's claiming otherwise.
"Anyone who thinks if we signed him permanently then it would mean every American man and his dog would be sporting Everton kits are wrong".
No one thinks that Dan. Sleep it off.
LD gives us another dimension in attack. No one's claiming otherwise.
"Anyone who thinks if we signed him permanently then it would mean every American man and his dog would be sporting Everton kits are wrong".
No one thinks that Dan. Sleep it off.
He might be worth 5m as a footballer in Europe but he's worth more to the MLS - because he is more than a footballer to them.
I'd doubt we'd get him for that.
But, hypothetically, I'd choose Landon. I love the guy.
I'd doubt we'd get him for that.
But, hypothetically, I'd choose Landon. I love the guy.
I don't think there's a chance of MLS allowing Donavon to leave. A shame because he is exactly what we need.
Toffee supporter from stateside here. I think the $5m euros valuation for Donovan is a little low in which MLS will accept for Donovan. MLS's highest transfer player was Jozy Altidore to Villareal for $7.4m and Donovan eclipses him in skill and success.
Fulham got Dempsey for $2.5m but Dempsey was a gamble in that he wasn't in his prime yet.
I think MLS's valuation of Donovan is probably closer to $9m because you're buying America's best player, who's proven he can play in the EPL already. Plus Donovan isn't pressuring MLS to move so it's not like they'll lose Donovan for nothing either because he's under contract for a number of years.
BUT with that said, if there's any team Donovan will transfer to, it will be Everton, he loves it there. He did have a few bad experiences in Germany at 16 years old for Bayer Leverkusen and another bad experience at Bayern Munich at 25, so I think he's being extra careful about moving over to Europe again. He was really miserable the last couple of times he was in Europe. He should just say out of Germany I think.
Fulham got Dempsey for $2.5m but Dempsey was a gamble in that he wasn't in his prime yet.
I think MLS's valuation of Donovan is probably closer to $9m because you're buying America's best player, who's proven he can play in the EPL already. Plus Donovan isn't pressuring MLS to move so it's not like they'll lose Donovan for nothing either because he's under contract for a number of years.
BUT with that said, if there's any team Donovan will transfer to, it will be Everton, he loves it there. He did have a few bad experiences in Germany at 16 years old for Bayer Leverkusen and another bad experience at Bayern Munich at 25, so I think he's being extra careful about moving over to Europe again. He was really miserable the last couple of times he was in Europe. He should just say out of Germany I think.
Think he is a very good player and has made a difference to us (yet again). If we could have signed him for 5.5 million I would have done it no questions asked. I get the impression from listening to him that he wants to come over here when his contract runs out in 2 years time.
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684 Posted 29/01/2012 at 17:13:20
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