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| Watch your step: a less beaten path may be more favorable for Americans abroad | Watch your step: a less beaten path may be more favorable for Americans abroad |
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| Money talks, and players and clubs often listen. If sirens seduced Odysseus with a song, then the pounds of the Premier League have led many Americans to crash upon the British coast. Yet the recent renaissance of Mexican players in Europe shows a second path beyond the bright lights of the EPL and La Liga. | Money talks, and players and clubs often listen. If sirens seduced Odysseus with a song, then the pounds of the Premier League have led many Americans to crash upon the British coast. Yet the recent renaissance of Mexican players in Europe shows a second path beyond the bright lights of the EPL and La Liga. |
| To the surprise of many, this past winter defender Matt Miazga left the New York Red Bulls for Chelsea and a modest fee. However, England may not be so welcoming. Balding goalkeepers, Clint Dempsey, and Geoff Cameron aside, how many Americans have struggled in the Premier League? In seasons with Hull City and Sunderland, Jozy Altidore played in plenty of games, but only scored a handful of goals. US fans would rather forget Michael Bradley’s short stint with Aston Villa. Yes, Miazga has received a life-changing wage bump, but will his career stall like so many others? | To the surprise of many, this past winter defender Matt Miazga left the New York Red Bulls for Chelsea and a modest fee. However, England may not be so welcoming. Balding goalkeepers, Clint Dempsey, and Geoff Cameron aside, how many Americans have struggled in the Premier League? In seasons with Hull City and Sunderland, Jozy Altidore played in plenty of games, but only scored a handful of goals. US fans would rather forget Michael Bradley’s short stint with Aston Villa. Yes, Miazga has received a life-changing wage bump, but will his career stall like so many others? |
| If DeAndre Yedlin is any hint, the answer is a resounding “likely.” Which is why more Americans should follow the path of top Mexican players who have rebuilt their careers in European leagues other than Spain and England. For example, Andres Guardado left Valencia to shine in Germany and then remake himself as a holding midfielder in Holland. Most recently, Javier Hernandez said adios to the bench of Manchester United and has turned into a goalscoring machine for Bayer Leverkusen. While Memo Ochoa rots on the pine at Spanish club Malaga, he must fondly recall his time in France at Ajaccio. Raul Jimenez, Hector Herrera and Miguel Layun have all basked in the sunnier Portuguese climate as well. | If DeAndre Yedlin is any hint, the answer is a resounding “likely.” Which is why more Americans should follow the path of top Mexican players who have rebuilt their careers in European leagues other than Spain and England. For example, Andres Guardado left Valencia to shine in Germany and then remake himself as a holding midfielder in Holland. Most recently, Javier Hernandez said adios to the bench of Manchester United and has turned into a goalscoring machine for Bayer Leverkusen. While Memo Ochoa rots on the pine at Spanish club Malaga, he must fondly recall his time in France at Ajaccio. Raul Jimenez, Hector Herrera and Miguel Layun have all basked in the sunnier Portuguese climate as well. |
| If Iberia is not your thing, recall the European stints of DeMarcus Beasley, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley: all three arguably peaked in Holland. Aron Johansson also enjoyed his time in the Netherlands, and has failed to find similar success for Werder Bremen. Yes, of course, Eredivisie defenses are paper-thin and have turned the likes of Alfonso Alves into all stars. On the other hand, though, the Dutch league’s attacking and technical play can do wonders for a player’s growth and confidence. Toss in some Champions League football and suddenly life at one of the bigger clubs can be a good fit. Just ask Guardado. | If Iberia is not your thing, recall the European stints of DeMarcus Beasley, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley: all three arguably peaked in Holland. Aron Johansson also enjoyed his time in the Netherlands, and has failed to find similar success for Werder Bremen. Yes, of course, Eredivisie defenses are paper-thin and have turned the likes of Alfonso Alves into all stars. On the other hand, though, the Dutch league’s attacking and technical play can do wonders for a player’s growth and confidence. Toss in some Champions League football and suddenly life at one of the bigger clubs can be a good fit. Just ask Guardado. |
| Now, some may argue that a big club like Chelsea can and probably will loan out young starlets like Miazga to teams in less demanding leagues. The problem with these loans (and no option to buy) is they put a player in a weak spot. First, the new club has not paid a transfer fee and thus the coach feels less pressure from the top to give the new guy a proper run out. Second, a player leaving at season’s end can struggle to win over teammates and fans due to questions of loyalty. Yes, a budding star who can immediately contribute will get games and minutes, but a guy or gal on the bubble will probably not get the benefit of the doubt. Freddy Adu was perpetually on loan after signing for Benfica. The less said about Eddie Johnson’s time at Fulham, the better. Ditto thus far for DeAndre. | Now, some may argue that a big club like Chelsea can and probably will loan out young starlets like Miazga to teams in less demanding leagues. The problem with these loans (and no option to buy) is they put a player in a weak spot. First, the new club has not paid a transfer fee and thus the coach feels less pressure from the top to give the new guy a proper run out. Second, a player leaving at season’s end can struggle to win over teammates and fans due to questions of loyalty. Yes, a budding star who can immediately contribute will get games and minutes, but a guy or gal on the bubble will probably not get the benefit of the doubt. Freddy Adu was perpetually on loan after signing for Benfica. The less said about Eddie Johnson’s time at Fulham, the better. Ditto thus far for DeAndre. |
| Lots of great players have cut their teeth outside of England and Spain. Both Romario and (Brazilian) Ronaldo found their feet in Holland, and Ronaldinho left Brazil for France, not immediate La Liga glory. Americans have even found success in Belgium: Gooch Onyewu’s spell at Standard Liege and Sacha Kljestan’s time with Anderlecht spring to mind. So why have so few Americans tried their luck in France and Belgium, especially when Charlie Davies was tearing up Ligue Un before his accident? Yes, passports, visas, and work authorization are a barrier. Also, perhaps agents may not have established connections. However, many Americans gravitate to the EPL for the same reason Mexicans have tried and flopped in La Liga: a shared tongue. Yet that cultural comfort has not always translated to success on the field. | Lots of great players have cut their teeth outside of England and Spain. Both Romario and (Brazilian) Ronaldo found their feet in Holland, and Ronaldinho left Brazil for France, not immediate La Liga glory. Americans have even found success in Belgium: Gooch Onyewu’s spell at Standard Liege and Sacha Kljestan’s time with Anderlecht spring to mind. So why have so few Americans tried their luck in France and Belgium, especially when Charlie Davies was tearing up Ligue Un before his accident? Yes, passports, visas, and work authorization are a barrier. Also, perhaps agents may not have established connections. However, many Americans gravitate to the EPL for the same reason Mexicans have tried and flopped in La Liga: a shared tongue. Yet that cultural comfort has not always translated to success on the field. |
| If South Americans can adapt to the harsh winters and Cyrillic script languages of Russia and Ukraine, then Americans can and should be flexible. And perhaps even a bit adventurous. Professional success can help make a very different foreign country at least feel more welcoming. While it’s true that Freddy Adu failed at Benfica and Juan Agudelo struggled in the Eredivisie, other factors were at play. Adu has since admitted to lacking the requisite professional dedication at the time, while Agudelo only went to Holland after his application for work permit for Stoke was rejected. That’s not an ideal start. | If South Americans can adapt to the harsh winters and Cyrillic script languages of Russia and Ukraine, then Americans can and should be flexible. And perhaps even a bit adventurous. Professional success can help make a very different foreign country at least feel more welcoming. While it’s true that Freddy Adu failed at Benfica and Juan Agudelo struggled in the Eredivisie, other factors were at play. Adu has since admitted to lacking the requisite professional dedication at the time, while Agudelo only went to Holland after his application for work permit for Stoke was rejected. That’s not an ideal start. |
| Of course, MLS is now a more appealing option for players looking to rebound after a bad EPL spell. The expanding DP rule and new spend-happy MLS owners means wages at the top have gone up. There’s also a premium for USMNT players. Brek Shea has regained his confidence at Orlando City, and, many years ago, both Francisco Fonseca and Omar Bravo returned to Mexico after aborted stints on the Iberian peninsula. Still, could those players have thrived at a different club in a different European league? Maybe. While counterfactual debates are fun because there’s no right answer, players shouldn’t hesitate to look beyond the EPL and even La Liga when plotting a path abroad. One doesn’t have to start a climb and reach the summit the same day. Other leagues would be a softer landing spot. | Of course, MLS is now a more appealing option for players looking to rebound after a bad EPL spell. The expanding DP rule and new spend-happy MLS owners means wages at the top have gone up. There’s also a premium for USMNT players. Brek Shea has regained his confidence at Orlando City, and, many years ago, both Francisco Fonseca and Omar Bravo returned to Mexico after aborted stints on the Iberian peninsula. Still, could those players have thrived at a different club in a different European league? Maybe. While counterfactual debates are fun because there’s no right answer, players shouldn’t hesitate to look beyond the EPL and even La Liga when plotting a path abroad. One doesn’t have to start a climb and reach the summit the same day. Other leagues would be a softer landing spot. |
| For now, US fans hope Miazga’s career does not mirror that of promising Mexican Ulises Plascencia. After several years of being loaned by Chelsea to different clubs, he returned home to Liga MX dispirited and disillusioned. The Eredivisie and Ligue 1 may lack the wages and bright lights of the Barclays Premiership, but ultimately be a better destination. | For now, US fans hope Miazga’s career does not mirror that of promising Mexican Ulises Plascencia. After several years of being loaned by Chelsea to different clubs, he returned home to Liga MX dispirited and disillusioned. The Eredivisie and Ligue 1 may lack the wages and bright lights of the Barclays Premiership, but ultimately be a better destination. |
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