MONDAY POLL: Should Donovan Stay Or Should He Go?

February 22nd, 2010 | by: Dave Martinez |

ldshouldhestayorgodg2ndupload Another week of fixtures in the books, and the legend of Landon Donovan continues to grow. The American dynamo seamless transition to the worlds greatest league proceeds in impressive fashion, this time assisting Everton in toppling the mountain of a team known as Manchester United, 3-1. He helped assist on the games go ahead goal, and in the process, made Gary Neville look silly. Quite an accomplishment for an American in the motherland, no?

This was the Landon Donovan so many had hoped would emerge on the World’s biggest stage, and now, he is finally beginning to fulfill that destiny. The only question left to answer is this: Should he stay or should he go?

The argument can be made both ways. For one, he should stay in England, continuing with his solid play in Everton, leading the striker towards the World Cup, fully prepared and fit for the Worlds best. On the other hand, he should come back to the US, honor his contract, and play in the safer confines of his own backyard; MLS.

I leave his fate in your hands. Have a vote, and make your stance known in the comments section. Should he stay or should he go?

Landon Donovan:(survey software)

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Mike from linden

He should do a beckham type deal. Like if there’s a lockout, he should stay in England. If there’s no lockout then play w galaxy and go back to England after the season ends.
DTGM

The man should stay, no question! As much as I like the MLS, there’s no way he can further develop as a player while he’s there. He playing fantastically with Everton and needs to stay in the EPL in order to maximize his abilities.

Sorry, Galaxy fans, but Landycakes would be foolish not to stay in the EPL. He can ALWAYS return to MLS. He may never get a chance to get back to the EPL.
http://england.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Poll results look pretty conclusive so far. I’d say the main reason Donovan should stay is that – after his earlier struggles in Europe – it seems he’s finally found the ideal club. Everton are big, but not so big that his playing time is at risk.

That said, as an England fan I’d like to repeat my request that he please stops breaking the ankles of England internationals. Otherwise I’m changing my vote.
http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/bethany-dempsey-help-me-out-please.html Dave Martinez

I wonder who the 1 vote is from? Don Garber?
http://usa.worldcupblog.org Jen

I have a poll on the Galaxy blog with, basically, the same question. And Galaxy fans are overwhelmingly wanting him to stay at Everton. I often read how the Galaxy fans want him to return — well, no we don’t! We want him to shine on in the EPL. Of course we’ll miss him, but we want what’s best for him. We’re selfless like that.
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

Jen, Will Galaxy get much in return?

I’m guessing there’ll be a slice of any potential transfer fee, plus maybe some sort of allocation, but with Donovan being grandfathered into the DP slot, would his permanent departure open up that slot for someone else?
http://usa.worldcupblog.org Jen

Those are great questions, Daryl.

Would it open up another DP slot if he transferred to Everton permanently? My guess is yes — especially if MLS continues to want LA as it’s hallmark club. It would be similar to when we had Beckham (doesn’t count), Landon (doesn’t count), and Carlos Ruiz. Only Ruiz counted.

Also, you sort of have to have a DP, or a highly skilled (and therefore highly salaried) player playing with Beckham. You remove Donovan, you remove a lot of the beauty and efficacy of Beckham’s game.

I think the bigger question is, would we need to replace him with a DP? No, I don’t think so. Although his salary is capped at $400,000 — that is a lot of cap space that opens up. And you know the Galaxy (and MLS) would be getting a NICE transfer fee. Financially, the Galaxy wouldn’t miss Beckham the first half of the season one bit.