Poll: Is Landon Donovan Finally Ready for Europe?

By: Daryl | September 24th, 2008

Landon Donovan won MLS Player of the Week for his part in LA Galaxy’s 5-2 win over DC United this past weekend. With a nice hat-trick (three good goals) and a beaut of an assist (around the 4:45 mark) there’s little doubt he deserved it. And there’s a growing whisper that maybe the time is right for Donovan to finally try his luck in Europe again.

It’s no secret to US fans that the first two attempts didn’t go well. He started his first stint at Bayer Leverkusen aged just 17, so no shame in that not working out. In his second spell with Bayer Leverkusen (in 2005) he basically (and famously) didn’t have the balls to give it a good go and came back to MLS to be the big fish in a small pond.

But now rumours of interest from Bayern Munich have got the Donovan to Europe train rolling again.

My feeling is that the timing is now perfect. At 26, Donovan is in peak physical condition and has gone about as far as he can go in MLS. He’s got all nthe attributes – pace, finishing, an eye for a pass, a few tricks – to do well in a big European league.

OK, he’s not going to add anything to Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea or Man Utd. He might not add much to Bayern Munich. But if Donovan can find a solid mid-table team in the Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga or even Serie A, then I’d argue that would be a great move.

The two things he’s never had in Europe are 1) testicular fortitude and 2) a guaranteed shirt.

Number one seems to have come with age, number two would come with a move to the right club. I’d actually argue that the Premier League would suit him best because 1) he’s got the pace, 2) he’s got the language skills and 3) there are probably some bad memories inGermany.

I’m thinking Everton, Portsmouth, Blackburn, West Ham are all good options. Hell, Newcastle would be a great move right now since they’re a little short of attacking options (Ameobi?). He could even play wide right and replace James Milner.

So, that’s my take. I know it’s fashionable to bash Landon Donovan as a teddy bear hugging crybaby, but my money would be on him making it. What do you think:

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gobrien

Donovan played great in big games for San Jose. Just ask LA.
derek

Can someone please shoot that MLS commentator? His signature catch-cry is one of the more annoying attmepts I've heard in some time. Bring back Alan Partridge please....TWAP!
matt

he doesnt have the talent...bossing mls games while being slight in stature is one thing...you could argue that messi, aguero, and tevez arent all very big but they play with force and aren't pussies on the ball. he'll get muscled out in any top league in europe. he's not strong enough and doesn't have the mentality to succeed in games where you have to grind out a win. he's also not clever enough to get himself in or out of good or bad situations in a top league. he'll try to goto england, he'll get out muscled. he'll try to goto spain, he'll get out skilled. he'll try to goto italy where no american that's currently playing in the world would ever succeed...cause kick run bullshit doesn't fly there. he won't prove me wrong either. he's landon freakin donovan.
nawyecky

Landycakes will go TO EUROPE YES! then he'll BE ON THE BENCH! Afterwards, he be a part of the US TEAM THAT MAKES THE WORLD CUP but loses IN THE FIRST ROUND!

(This message brought to you by overdramatic MLS ANNOUNCER!)
La

He's always had the talent, but lacked the mental capacity. Has anything really changed that much? Is he suddenly ready to give up the comfort of California? Doubt it.
Michael

He's just such a pussy.
PocketKings

All of my reasons for wanting Donovan to go revolve around the same general hope:

1. He gets his ass handed to him, deflating his ego, returns to the MLS, who now stop kissing his ass, and send him to an expansion team, like Philly or Seattle. All the Donovan Groupies have to put their tail between their legs, and we continue to pile on the "Landy-Cakes" mantra. To salvage his reputation (or pride if he has any) he works even harder to try to leave a positive note on his career, which makes him a more consistent impact player (instead of Mr. Invisible during the BIG GAMES) at World Cup 2010. We make it to the semi-finals.... Horray USA!!!

2. He earns a roster spot, and through the day-in day-out battle for a position & the competition, he becomes a more humble and a consistent impact player (instead of Mr. Invisible during the BIG GAMES) at World Cup 2010. We make it to the semi-finals.... Horray USA!!!

3. Landon gets his ass handed to him, and lives up to his "quiter" image. His career is in shambles. MLS doesn't want him anymore, and is forced to join a USL side. The USMNT looks to groom other talent for his position, and some other player steps up their game (Adu, Edu, Bradley, Altidore) or some U-20 kid finds his grove when given the chance). We make it to the semi-finals.... Horray USA!!!

So as you can see, as long as the USMNT becomes the better for it, I could care less about LD personal success.
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I agree with everyone else having LD go to a Mid-Level Prem club or in Spain, Portugal, etc. He has to work for his spot...
Laurie

Thanks for the video. When DC came back to 3-2, I couldn't watch anymore and had to leave the room and missed the fourth goal. I was absolutely certain that the Galaxy was going to blow yet another lead.

I was wrong. When Donovan is on, he's amazing, and he was on that night.

On the other hand, when he's off, he's entirely invisible.

The question: Which Landon Donovn would be going back to Europe?
shane

He'll never be ready for Europe because he is a quitter, plus he's not good enough to be guaranteed first choice except for the relegation clubs. At Bayern in particular he has no chance. If Podolski can't get regular action then Donovan has no chance.
ArseGunner89

Fuck Donovan. No one wants his ass to play over here in Europe. Just let him keep on playing "soccer" with all his friends.
Brooks

More on this over at USA WCB (including far more pictures of his wife):

http://usa.worldcupblog.org/th...
Al

Bayern is a bad choice. He'll have so much competition for a spot that he'll be loaned out or end up leaving (Spector at Man U, anyone?). A mid-table Prem club is perfect for him. The key is getting playing time.

(I still think of him as "Joto-van" along with the rest of Mexico =P )
Rami

Thing with Donovan is its never been about talent. It's his whole mindset, coping with homesickness, and a lack of good burgers in europe (seriously, he listed that as one of his reasons for leaving). maybe he's grown up a bit since then. time will tell.
Andrew

I think Donovan may be ready to give Europe a go. His first spell with Leverkusen i think there were some unrealistic expectations, look at the number of world class players on that roster and you'll see that most footballers wouldnt be about to get a spot.
As far as going to Bayern Munich is concerned, I dont think he will get any time. He wouldnt play up top with the strikers they have, and i dont think he is going to displace Schweini, Ribery, Sosa, or Kroos. I think a mid level club might be better for him.
BMatthews

Landon would not have a guarenteed shirt at any of those Prem. clubs he needs to find a place where he's playing 75-90 min a game in a top league.
I voted yes, because he can't just waste his talent in the MLS