Landy Dandy Loaned To Bayern

Well there you have it.  Just as Donovan completed his 10 day training stint in Germany, Bayern has reported that he will join them on loan from January to March. Klinsmann had some positive things to say about Landon’s impression, as posted on the Bayern website (forgive the translation):

“Klinsmann has reported that Donovan in the last days of training a lasting impression did. That is what he also in talks with some experienced players. “He is an incredibly fast player who constantly one-against-one situations examined. He is a completely different Stürmertyp than those who are here as “the Bayern coach is convinced.”

I couldn’t agree more! Landon is such a different Sturmertyp!  Don’t you think so? All kidding aside, this is good news for Landon (obviously) but it also is another big test.  Bayern has stated that the loan will have an option to buy, so Donovan will need to work hard in the spring to make an impact with the German giants.  It will not be pretty if Donovan has to come back with his head low after not winning a contract.

Another article out of England has some more details:

“Donovan has spent a week and a half training at Bayern and scored both goals when the first team, minus players away on international duty, beat the club’s B team 2-1 in a practice match on Wednesday. His performances and attitude in training have impressed Klinsmann, who said he needed a fourth striker in his squad to help cover for any injuries that might hit Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose or Lukas Podolski.”

Fourth striker makes me a little nervous, but it just means that Landon will need to take every chance he gets for Bayern if he wants to stay in Europe. It is exciting though, Donovan is finally gonna need to put his money where his mouth is, and I’m pumped to see that.

What do you all think? Happy? A little nervous? Spit it out!

–psc

Jozy On Loan?

Moustache = Goals

Some Jozy news is popping up today around the net, the first being a rumor from Spanish paper Marca that the young American is set for a loan move to Spanish side Valladolid.  It seems Jozy took part in a team dinner where he bid farewell to his Villareal teammates in preparation for the loan (sounds a little fishy to me).  If it’s true, you’ve gotta think that the reason he’d be loaned out would be to get significant first team minutes, so a loan could be positive if it results in PT.

Another conflicting report from NBCsports has the news that Jozy is set to make his debut for Villareal this weekend against Osasuna.  Apparently due to a bit of an injury crisis in the Submarine’s attack (Pires and Rossi are reportedly both out, as well as Nihat Kahveci), Jozy has moved up in the depth chart and is considered an option for the squad.

My Thoughts: Doesn’t matter where Jozy ends up, as long as he gets a chance to hit the pitch.  Sure, a dream partnership of Rossi/Altidore will give any USMNT fan some excitement, but perhaps it’s a little unrealistic at this stage.  Altidore just needs to develop and adjust to the La Liga game, and if that means donning the Valladolid shirt, so be it.

What do you think of the rumors? Bogus? Will we see Jozy on Sunday?

–psc