Damien
01-11-2009, 11:15 AM
Right place, wrong time
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2009/01/10/johnston_blog_deguzman/
Reports of Julian de Guzman's demise were not greatly exaggerated.
In the wake of being named 2008 Adidas Canadian male soccer player of the year (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2009/01/09/deguzman_player_of_year/) the 28-year-old fielded questions from a handful of media during a Friday afternoon conference call. After the obligatory remarks about being honoured and reminiscing over the hot and cold year for the Deportivo La Coruna midfielder, I fired the leading question concerning his future in the game.
"There are some offers coming from Germany, Spain and England. We are still waiting to see which are the concrete ones," de Guzman replied from his home in Spain. "For me, after four years of playing here I think I have developed and learned a lot. I wouldn't mind staying another three or four years here (in Spain)."
In truth, de Guzman played himself out of a new contract in north Spain when he was named the club's player of the year in 2008. The perennial mid-table Deportivo face a massive team debt (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=607799&&cc=5901) and do not anticipate signing or re-signing any players out of contract. The situation means that de Guzman will leave town under the landmark Bosman rule (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Marc_Bosman).
Already the suitors are lining up.
A few months back the rumour surfaced (as it generally does) that Toronto FC director of soccer Mo Johnston and head coach John Carver were interested in bringing the Canadian on board (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2008/09/18/dobson_designated_player_tfc/) in the magical designated player spot. It was laughable; but it also persisted for much longer than the usual navel gazing.
So in the second and final phase of the leading question, I asked JDG about the MLS interest, TFC in specific.
He confirmed.
"Only one (MLS offer). (It) was from TFC; that is the only one."
The awkward silence that followed the confirmation spoke louder than the 10-word response. It confirmed that Major League Soccer is not the place for a current La Liga club player of the year to continue his career. It is a simple case of expectation falling well short of ambition. The North American league of nomads, collegiate promise and last-ride paycheques will have to wait for JDG's talents to diminish that little bit more where a reserve spot with one of Europe's notables is indeed a lesser option than a starting 11 spot in Toronto.
It's too bad; because while JDG is not bigger than Beckham, he is better, and could inflict some serious damage in this league.
--
Chelsea FC vs Manchester United - Game of the year, Jan 11th 2008 Thread (http://www.redpatchboys.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=8789)
Sunshine Girl (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/)
Page 3 Girl (http://www.page3.com/index2.shtml#main-image) :D
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2009/01/10/johnston_blog_deguzman/
Reports of Julian de Guzman's demise were not greatly exaggerated.
In the wake of being named 2008 Adidas Canadian male soccer player of the year (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2009/01/09/deguzman_player_of_year/) the 28-year-old fielded questions from a handful of media during a Friday afternoon conference call. After the obligatory remarks about being honoured and reminiscing over the hot and cold year for the Deportivo La Coruna midfielder, I fired the leading question concerning his future in the game.
"There are some offers coming from Germany, Spain and England. We are still waiting to see which are the concrete ones," de Guzman replied from his home in Spain. "For me, after four years of playing here I think I have developed and learned a lot. I wouldn't mind staying another three or four years here (in Spain)."
In truth, de Guzman played himself out of a new contract in north Spain when he was named the club's player of the year in 2008. The perennial mid-table Deportivo face a massive team debt (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=607799&&cc=5901) and do not anticipate signing or re-signing any players out of contract. The situation means that de Guzman will leave town under the landmark Bosman rule (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Marc_Bosman).
Already the suitors are lining up.
A few months back the rumour surfaced (as it generally does) that Toronto FC director of soccer Mo Johnston and head coach John Carver were interested in bringing the Canadian on board (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2008/09/18/dobson_designated_player_tfc/) in the magical designated player spot. It was laughable; but it also persisted for much longer than the usual navel gazing.
So in the second and final phase of the leading question, I asked JDG about the MLS interest, TFC in specific.
He confirmed.
"Only one (MLS offer). (It) was from TFC; that is the only one."
The awkward silence that followed the confirmation spoke louder than the 10-word response. It confirmed that Major League Soccer is not the place for a current La Liga club player of the year to continue his career. It is a simple case of expectation falling well short of ambition. The North American league of nomads, collegiate promise and last-ride paycheques will have to wait for JDG's talents to diminish that little bit more where a reserve spot with one of Europe's notables is indeed a lesser option than a starting 11 spot in Toronto.
It's too bad; because while JDG is not bigger than Beckham, he is better, and could inflict some serious damage in this league.
--
Chelsea FC vs Manchester United - Game of the year, Jan 11th 2008 Thread (http://www.redpatchboys.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=8789)
Sunshine Girl (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/)
Page 3 Girl (http://www.page3.com/index2.shtml#main-image) :D