Donovan unlikely to return this winter

Lyndon Lloyd , 26 August, 20comments | Jump to most recent

The chances of Landon Donovan returning to Goodison for a third loan spell appear slim after the American declared that he is looking to take the MLS close season off completely as his enthusiasm for the game wanes.

With his LA Galaxy contract winding down, the USA international star has been hotly tipped to make a permanent switch to Everton, starting perhaps with a third loan spell starting in January after the end of the MLS season.

But Donovan played down those suggestions, saying he is hoping for a break from football.

“The chances of me playing again this off-season are very slim,” he told the Soccer Today radio show.

“I've had, not since this January but last January [2011], a total of two weeks off. My soccer enthusiasm is not as high as it was two years ago. I'm kind of ready for a break when this [MLS] season is over.”

Asked if some time off would recharge his love of the game, the 30 year-old said that that might just be what he needs.

“It's possible. That's why I'm really focused on doing my best this year and finishing up the year and then reevaluating. It could very well be.

I've been out the last 10 days with this [hamstring] injury and I'm already chomping at the bit to get back on the field again, so that could very well be the deal.”

Quotes or other material sourced from NBC Sports

Reader Comments (20)

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Nick Armitage
1 Posted 26/08/2012 at 21:36:43

In a similar vein to Manuel Fernandes, Donovan was a quarter of the player he was in his first spell. He would be three years older and we have moved on.

(But I would love to see Fernandes back.)

David Chait
2 Posted 26/08/2012 at 21:43:48

Yep... unfortunately I think Fernandes was made capt this year after "leaving" the club for that short while.... we didn't clearly want him back as I think it could have happened.. he would have been prefect alongside Gibson allowing Fella to roam further forward.... I never thought Fernandes was poor... he was brave enough to try things.. but had a team of players who didn't understand how to make a run.

Can you imagine him feeding into Jelavic, Mirallas, Naismith and Pienaar.

Dreams I'm afraid.

Ian Bennett
3 Posted 26/08/2012 at 21:48:20

Totally disagree on Donovan. His pace might be a little less, but his work rate and final ball was better.

Chris Verghoden
4 Posted 26/08/2012 at 21:55:24

Who cares?! We have all this will he..won't he? , every year. Donovan has loads of effort but in my view there are games when he has looked good and games when he has looked poor. It's time we moved on.

James Flynn
5 Posted 26/08/2012 at 22:15:48

Not surprised at all. Been known this MLS season that LD has lost some fire. Arena and Klinsmann hinted at it. Landon's alluded to it himself several times. Even ducking National Team games (unprecedented).

MLS ends November. A few months off, maybe sign with us just before the window closes in January. He'd be a nice addition to what we have. Besides, with us he'd just be another good player. All the THE guy pressure disappears.

James Martin
6 Posted 26/08/2012 at 22:44:19

Quality player, lifted us in both his spells and no coincidence that wins against big teams came when he played. Would still probably be our best option on the right. Great end product as well.

Phil Sammon
7 Posted 26/08/2012 at 22:50:34

I think it's playing for us that's made him realise he's wasting his career in LA.

Sam Hoare
8 Posted 27/08/2012 at 00:34:34

Good player but I think we need him less now.

Given the way the u21 team is performing we might be best not to rely on them for squad depth so hope we get one or two more in before window shuts.

Gareth Fieldstead
9 Posted 27/08/2012 at 00:51:22

I said several weeks ago we would have to be in a bad way for us to have him and Tim back. As other posts have already stated, time to move on. We now have Mirallas, Naismith and Osman who can all do a job on the right.

Hopefully the board support Moyes this week and even more players are brought in. I noticed Adams wasn't even on the bench for Liverpool, probably an injury but who knows?

John Siffor
10 Posted 27/08/2012 at 03:08:43

Landon is coming when his contract is up. This is a ruse. He's sick of MLS.

dave lawley
11 Posted 27/08/2012 at 10:43:37

When is Landon's contract up?

I would like to see him return, he seems like the kind of pro who could play at a good level into his mid thirties, take away the transfer fee and its worthwhile from a purely football perspective.

He will definitely play for the shirt.

If you then take into account possible off field benefits, this would be a good deal.

Chris James
12 Posted 27/08/2012 at 11:12:40

Hey Dave, his contract isn't up till the end of next year (i.e. 2013), so if we were going to try and get him free it'd be in the January transfer window of 2014 and he'd be closing on 32.

Much as I love Landon, his skills and his amazing will to win attitude and wish we'd had the cash earlier I think that if we don't get him this season, then the ship has probably pretty much sailed.

That said, If we could nab him for £2-3M now or in January, I think it might be worth it. Would be a fillip to the team and provide further options across all the attacking front line (including flanks).

Incidentally, I read that his contract is $2.4M a season at the Galaxy, i.e. £1.5M or less than £30K p/week. Am sure there's win bonuses on top, but that wouldn't break our bank.

Chris Morris
13 Posted 27/08/2012 at 11:28:37

Donovan was/is a good player, but is he better than what we have should be the only question

John Siffor
14 Posted 27/08/2012 at 14:20:08

His contract is up in 2013. He needs Everton as much as Everton needs him, so it would be a great fit. I think he comes on permanent deal after his season is over, which at earliest is November, latest mid-December.

James Flynn
15 Posted 27/08/2012 at 14:01:01

Will agree he wants out of MLS (He's simply bored), but don't think the layoff a ruse. Since he came back here off loan, there's been talk of his lack of focus. As I mentioned above, he also became unavailable for our National Team; a first. Let him have his months off and maybe we can sign him before the mid-season x-fer window closes. He definately can help the squad and as Chris mentions, by EPL standards he's on very low wages.

Plus, he remains a world-class athlete. Can still hit the after-burners when needed. Besides, even 10 years ago he was a cerebral player with a great feel for the game. Yes, he's 30 now but Rooney, 4 years his junior, probably has twice the miles on his tires. And Landon's miles are only MLS ones. He could still provide 2-3 seasons good service.

Also agree with Chris we don't get him in permanent mid-season, it's been fun, thanks, God bless, and good luck. We move on.

Tony Cheek
16 Posted 27/08/2012 at 15:26:13

If we are going to get players in on loan spells then they have to be so good that they walk right in the team. I don't think Donovan can be assured that anymore. He has done a great job for us in the two spells he has had. But Does DM want a tired MLS player with waning interest in football in the squad? Think not! But then again, we might be an injury depleted squad at that time and then its another question!
But on the whole I say "thanks for the good times" but we should move on:

Vinny Garstrokes
17 Posted 27/08/2012 at 15:45:05

I don't know about Donovan's contract, What about DM's contract!!

James Stewart
18 Posted 29/08/2012 at 01:28:43

I am still amazed he keeps plugging away in the MLS. Seems a complete waste of his talent to me. As a top player surely you would want to test yourself week in week out against the best? Especially considering he has very few years left

Jason Lam
19 Posted 29/08/2012 at 04:48:59

That's not fair to LD, I thought he was very good and useful during both loan spells. He played in the manu (1st loan) and man city (2nd loan) wins respectively. I didn't like his attitude (cowboy) at first but he won over me. When in Rome as they say. He would be an excellent addition, first xi or impact sub. Pip is like 40 and can still do a job against the 'top' sides like last week.

Jim Harrison
20 Posted 29/08/2012 at 15:15:10

Would like him to come, but to be fair there have to be better, younger bets out there. At his age now he would need to sign this season to get any value out of him. I think we could be being a bit too nostalgic over the desire to sign him again.

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