Well, that is where I come in. I am obsessed with Everton, some might say fanatical. I, at times like today, have too much time on my hands. And lastly, I have an agenda – to restore Everton to its rightful place atop English Football. So with that introduction, here is my Everton/Donovan Conspiracy Theory:
As Donovan stated in his recent interview, he fell in love with Everton. What started as a fling, turned into a ’full blown affair.’ This confirmed my position that over the past 18 months, Donovan has been positioning, negotiating, and posturing himself to force a permanent (and cost-efficient move) to EFC. Let\’s look at the facts.
• Everton sold Tim Cahill to the New York Redbulls this summer. While the fee might have been appropriate in the English market, EFC could certainly have gotten more money had they sold Tim to an Asian, Australian, or Middle Eastern Club. They sold him at a discount to the MLS, but why?
• Unlike almost all other leagues in the world, MLS players contracts are owned by both the player\’s club and the larger league. Therefore, when you are negotiating a fee – you are in essence negotiating with two parties. I believe that Everton gave the MLS a discount, because they had an informal agreement for a discount in return.
• Landon Donovan is the face of the MLS and the face of USA Soccer. Landon’s recent string of interviews where he opines on his commitment and gives a ’50/50’ shot of playing in the upcoming World Cup is his public negotiating with the MLS. In essence, he is saying "This doesn’t challenge me anymore, if you want me, if you want the face of USA Soccer in two years, then let me out of this contract and let me be happy."
• Additionally, his comments are turning the public to support him. USA fans want him to see the highlights of his last second goal in South Africa, and then look up and see him on the pitch in Rio.
Thus, my conclusion: Donovan’s string of comments and interviews, coupled with my belief that there is a gentlemen’s agreement for a discount deal in January – both lead me to believe Donovan will be signing a three year contract in January for a fee of around £1.5 million (just like the price we gave Cahill away for).
In the end the question is, do we need him? With Mirallas and Pienaar, not to mention Naismith, Oviedo, and Seamus in the wings (literally and figuratively) – don’t we already have enough winger width? What are you thoughts?
I, for one, will always take depth. We will need it in Europe next year. Also, Donovan could transition into a creative midfielder – a position our current squad is lacking – as it seems our only ways to advance the ball are over-the-top to Fellaini or wide through combination play. But that’s my opinion, what’s yours?
Reader Comments (37)
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2 Posted 26/10/2012 at 06:04:53
3 Posted 26/10/2012 at 06:07:55
2 out of 3 of those theories definitely hold water so I'll say your theory is pretty solid, too. I just took 2 Nyquills so my logic is admittedly a bit off. I'll read over that tomorrow and decide whether it's a legitimate point.
Until then, let's not forget that Donovan can also play striker, ACM and even as a box-to-box midfielder.
4 Posted 26/10/2012 at 08:56:30
However, let's say it’s in the mix. I would sign Donovan tomorrow and play him as a second striker behind Jelavic. That would give us an attacking formation of Pienaar – Gibson – Fellaini – Mirallas – Donovan – Jelavic, and would also satisfy Moyes’ desire for flexibility if he wanted to shift him to the wing etc.
Admittedly he’s 30 but if he’s looking for inspiration where not to find it but the EPL, Everton and hopefully European football? If he is a fading force on the pitch I think he showed us he has infectious drive and professionalism and with the front 6 above I think we could really have a go at the top 4.
"I need to determine if I want to play, and if the answer is yes, I need to work out where and for how long." Donovan has given a lot of thought to his decision-making process. "I plan to spend a lot of time with my family and travelling to distant places alone. I am not sure where. I want to take time to have some freedom and not worry about my next game or being fit. It may take me two weeks, two months or a year. I don't plan on worrying about the end result. I want to focus on being present and making the decision when I am ready."
What I think he’s really saying is….
“I’m at a crossroads and I'm looking to crack a deal. My family are staying put in the US – let's get that straight – but I’m gearing myself up to go it alone and play on my terms in the big leagues for what's left of my career. I’m not going to rush it and when I say enough's enough I want to stop when I want, but I want to go our on a high. To be honest, I quite fancy being a “gun for hire”, playing when I want, for who I want, for how long I want, for how much I want. I’m good enough, so who wants it before I hang up my boots...?”
So – first stop Everton……? I’d take him in a heartbeat.
5 Posted 26/10/2012 at 09:47:34
6 Posted 26/10/2012 at 09:51:06
7 Posted 26/10/2012 at 10:18:39
8 Posted 26/10/2012 at 10:27:17
Personally, I would love to have Landon back, his second stint wasn't as good as his first but he created a buzz around the place and he would be welcomed with open arms by the Club and fans alike.
9 Posted 26/10/2012 at 10:40:37
10 Posted 26/10/2012 at 10:29:01
11 Posted 26/10/2012 at 11:30:22
12 Posted 26/10/2012 at 12:27:47
And I can tell you most of them ain't in love with the new yanks, they wanna know why they ain't pumping billions into their little set-up, so I can guarantee a little chorus of USA will wind the fuckers up.
On a serious note, yes I'd like to see Landon back but it's gotta be now or never, we don't have the biggest squad and there is gonna be injuries and bookings. It's not a case of Donovan or someone else, it's a squad game nowadays and if you want to stay at the top you need a squad of good players.
I think donovan is still a good player.
Altogether now — USA! USA!! USA!!!
13 Posted 26/10/2012 at 12:07:34
And Pat (315). Didn't know they made pharmacutical grade Nyquill. All 3 of those conspiracy "theories" are made-up bullshit, not just Roswell.
14 Posted 26/10/2012 at 13:00:38
15 Posted 26/10/2012 at 13:16:10
Hahahaha!
16 Posted 26/10/2012 at 16:39:47
He would have to earn perhaps $5m i.e. > $100k a week.
Everton cannot afford to compensate him equally (net) to his current contract.
17 Posted 26/10/2012 at 16:56:45
Do we need him with Naismith, Oviedo, and Seamus in the wings?
------------------
Are you serious?
The only player who could better Donovan on the right is Mirallas. I have mulled the idea of Donovan playing up to leave the US, and get hsi last few years in a top league. It's believable, wether true or not.
Donovan's turned 30, and would be worth a two and half-year deal for me. I would have him as back up to both Mirallas on the right, and to Jela up front. He would get a lot of games, sometimes starting, sometimes not. But as long as he's affordable, he'd be a good acqusistion for Everton.
MLS/Galaxy/Donovan may or may not think differently.
18 Posted 26/10/2012 at 17:01:15
I understand that players move mostyly for the money. But whatever his salary - he'd probably get $3-4 million a year at Everton (gross) - you don't get two chances in life as a 30-year old footballer. He either goes to a Premier League club in the next 10 months, or he will never - never - play a full season at his level in his life.
I find it hard to believe that players don't at least make such considerations.
19 Posted 26/10/2012 at 17:05:56
20 Posted 26/10/2012 at 17:40:31
But I went to the Mexico - US game (which the US "historically" won for the first time) and he was frankly pretty awful and got withdrawn at half-time. The official line was he had a hamstring injury but I don't know for sure. I have seen referees touch the ball more times.
So I am on the fence on this one now, even with the potential and oft mentioned commercial benefits of an increased US presence.
21 Posted 26/10/2012 at 18:22:38
22 Posted 26/10/2012 at 19:22:02
23 Posted 26/10/2012 at 20:37:28
My new hesitation is partly as a result of that Mexico game (the only time I have seen him live), which backed up some of what I had seen on TV in the MLS and reports thereof, partly what he says in the interviews of late, and most importantly because of his age vs. the needs of Everton at this time.
Basically, the cost vs benefit is very different now to two years ago.
And I am still on the fence...
24 Posted 26/10/2012 at 21:41:24
My dream line-up with the current squad and Landon would be a 4-3-1-2 with:
(4) Baines, Distin, Jags, & Coleman
(3) Pienaar, Gibson, & Donovan
(1) Fellaini, and
(2) Mirallas & Jelavic
It leaves a quality bench with a mix of change-of-pace guys, youth, and veterans to make us flexible in the 2nd half if we are up or down (i.e. Osman, Naismith, Anichebe, Heitinga, Neville, and Mucha and one of the following: Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Duffy, Vellios, Barkley, Junior or Gueye).
More likely, Moyes would go with the same guys in a 4-4-1-1 and find some reason to force Neville onto the pitch.
25 Posted 26/10/2012 at 21:42:06
26 Posted 26/10/2012 at 22:24:36
He's done with MLS. That's certain. If they won't make him affordable for Moyes, he'll pack it in. And so won't be selected for our National Team. Which weakens our National Team in 2014. Which will piss-off Klinsmann............ Jesus! There might be something to this conspiracy theory. Everything is called into question. It wasn't Oswald. ETs did land and MIB is a documentary. Obama is an illegal alien.
Here's my theory. LD out from Galaxy (retirement or EFC), Lampard or Kaka in. Probably no media coverage over there, but Kaka and Lampard (especially Lampard) have been linked to Galaxy for a good while.
27 Posted 26/10/2012 at 23:07:58
28 Posted 27/10/2012 at 07:07:18
29 Posted 27/10/2012 at 13:50:40
Anyway.. Donovan? Would have him tomorrow.
30 Posted 27/10/2012 at 14:05:32
31 Posted 27/10/2012 at 14:23:41
32 Posted 27/10/2012 at 15:29:11
Let's hope Donovan has more legs than the JFK conspiracy!
33 Posted 28/10/2012 at 00:41:35
Now, your theory on having LD tomorrow? I'd have him late January, when he's healed up.
34 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:31:07
First of all, there is a publicly available birth certificate which proves beyond any doubt that he was born in Hawaii. This is confirmed by all authorities in Hawaii who have all the records of his birth, name registration and medical visits as a baby.
But second, it's a grim indictment on America's continued problem with racism that having a different shade of skin (and an evidently "foreign" lineage) automatically makes this an issue. You say it is "perfectly legitimate" to speculate about his country of birth. But the truth is, it's only an issue because he doesn't have pale skin and his name sounds foreign. Well you know what? People of all skin tones are born in America. And you know what else? EVERYBODY'S lineage goes back to another country, many of them to Ireland (as Pat well knows). So if it's legitimate to speculate on Obama's country of birth, we should rightfully be demanding every single politician - of every skin tone - reveal their country of birth too. And when they do so - as Obama did - we should continue to doubt them and raise the issue again and again, refusing to accept the facts put in front of us. Land of equality? Well let's be an utter asshole to everybody then, not just Obama.
Ok, to LD. I don't think he'll be coming back this time and I don't think the recent interviews were part of a strategy to engineer a move. I genuinely think he has lost some of his enthusiasm for the game and is starting to wind down his career. Shame, because at his best he has been America's shining light.
And on to today, Mirallas is going to bag 2. COYB.
35 Posted 28/10/2012 at 12:59:53
36 Posted 28/10/2012 at 21:51:33
37 Posted 28/10/2012 at 22:13:02
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1 Posted 26/10/2012 at 05:45:19
Theoretically he might want to make a last hurrah with Everton, but something else to consider... this is a player with no tolerance for the bench. I think he'd only come back for a starting position, and he wouldn't beat out any of our best midfielders. A super sub he isn't.