Eddie Johnson turns down Derby

By: Bob | July 25th, 2007

It isn’t every day that you read about a player in MLS turning down an offer to join an English Premier League club. That is exactly what league goal scoring leader Eddie Johnson has done. The striker has spurned an offer from newly promoted Derby County so that he can continue to live la vida loco with the Kansas City Wizards.

Why in the world would Johnson turn down the opportunity to play in one of the top leagues in the world and to continue to play in front of a few friends and relatives and 75,000 empty seats in Kansas City?

“I did what my heart felt,” he added. “The money wasn’t a problem. The money was great. But I’m a big believer that when my confidence is high, and I’m confident in what I’m doing, good things are yet to happen for me.”

In other words, he thinks that if he can continue to score goals for the rest of the season he can probably end up on a bigger, better club than Derby. And I think he is right. There is no denying that Johnson has talent. He also has the mental stability of a teenager. When things are going good for him he is a force. When he struggles he is his own worst enemy.

The decision is a bit of a gamble for Johnson, but it is one that I think will pay off for him in the end. He’ll probably get swooped up during the January transfer window. It is an encouraging sign that an MLS player is in a position to be selective about his overseas destination rather than jumping at any old opportunity.

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Category: English Premier League, MLS, World Football

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Sangre

He will not regularly start for a top 10 (15?) EPL team. If he wants to play rather than sit on a bench he will need to start in a lower place team...like Derby. And I'm sure word has spread on his inconsistency.
Michael

Beat me to the punch, Bob! It's a smart move for Eddie and one that has many-a-Wizards fan relieved.
Peter Von Burenstahlen

It's a surprising move, considering Derby's history (did you know the word derby -- as in when two local teams play each other -- actually has its roots in Derby, the town?)

Having said that, it's never easy moving to a foreign country. Perhaps the Brit lifestyle just doesn't appeal to him. Fat birds an 'all.
Trent

It's sort of fun that this is even a point of contention, really. An American balking at playing for an EPL club?

Can MLS mean something after all? The non-European leagues that mean much these days (and only peripherally, really) are those in Brazil and Argentina. I think North America (and Asia and Africa) can handle an interesting league.

Whether this is a sign of it or not I can't say of course.
Sam

Well, he can go to a different MLS club. I hate watching Wizards games at Arrowhead, even if it's a 8-7 game.
Hands Like Buckets

Perhaps he wants to stay in the MLS in order to help it grow? The more talent we keep in the league the better the incoming talent level and exposure of the league as a whole.

The guy's an American Hero!
Brian

Good point, koolkeith13. I concur, but I really don't think EJ has what it takes to make it anywhere except the US and MLS. I don't believe his fragile ego can't take the harsh reality of European football, especially the EPL. Dempsey's not only tougher mentally, he's also more talented, in my opinion.
koolkeith13

Just curious... What were you lads saying last year when Dempsey ended up at Fulham? Who knows what Derby will do. If you don't roll the dice then you never win, no? At least go to the EPL and see what happens, lad. The MLS and KC will ALWAYS be here for yah.
Jeff Bull

"There is no denying that Johnson has talent. He also has the mental stability of a teenager."

You nailed it there, Bob. Johnson needs a bit of maturing - then again, maybe this decision shows a bit of that already.

Also, if combat chuck's hearing accurate scuttlebutt, I wholly endorse that decision as well. Dang me, I love BBQ...
combat chuck

Rumor has it he likes the KC BBQ too much to leave.
El Toro

I'm not sure he is good enought to get PT in the EPL. Apparently he thinks so too.
Sabin

It's a good move on his part. He doesn't have the kind of striker's aggression that an EPL team would want. How else does one explain his tendency to pass the ball backward when he's at the top of the box? Some goals aside, his tendency seems to be to back off from the play too soon or not strike soon enough ...
Nick

I can't blame him really - they'll lose loads of games and go straight down. He's young enough, so he might as well wait for a slightly better club.