Here's why Everton needs Landon Donovan: a killer schedule ahead

by Steve Davis on Dec 13, 2009 10:34 PM EST Comment 7 comments

Everton's schedule is pancake-stacked with quality in January and February; Just in time for Donovan?

Play along with me here while I speculate a bit about Landon Donovan’s future.

There is simply too much chatter out there regarding a move to Everton (most likely a loan) to be dismissed. If I were a betting man, I’d wager my prized collection of cross stitch art that Donovan will be announced as the Toffees’ bell cow of spring reinforcement, probably this week.

And if it does comes to fruition – well, let’s just hope the U.S. all-time leading scorer reports to England's northwest port city fiddle-fit and ready to get immediately into the fight. Take a gander at Everton’s schedule in the first few weeks of Donovan’s arrival:

He’d be eligible to play on Jan. 2 in the team’s FA Cup contest against Carlisle. Seven days past that, Donovan could find himself at the Emirates against vaguely menacing Arsenal. Another seven days past that, Everton hosts Man City’s increasingly valuable cast.

After a couple of matches to close out January against EPL stragglers, February opens with a doozie, a match at Anfield in the city of Liverpool derby. Then it’s back to Goodison Park to face EPL leader Chelsea. Before the month is up, Everton plays its first two matches in the Europa League Round of 32 in addition to contests at home against Manchester United and a trip to London to face Tottenham.

If Donovan can sprinkle a little magic dust against a murderer’s row like this, even the Double-Ds (Donovan Detractors) are going to have to temporarily shelve their disdain.

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Fingers crossed

First thing I did when I heard about Landon maybe going to Everton was to look at the schedule between Jan 1st and March 25th, and I was astounded — games agains Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man U and Tottenham. Here’s to hoping Donovan shows well. Of course, the downside is the first World Cup match is against England, and we’re giving them the perfect opportunity to scout our best player — would ruin the secret weapon factor we’d otherwise have going on.

by ChelseaMatt on Dec 14, 2009 10:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh wise one, in your opinion.....

is this a good move? As I asked in a previous post, why will this move be better than his Bayern Munich stint last season?

by misfit15 on Dec 14, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I am asking from Donovan's perspective, not Everton's.

by misfit15 on Dec 14, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure...

… his spell at Bayern was so bad. He did OK there. And doing “OK” in a limited amount of time at one of Europe’s heavyweight clubs (I know they’ve had hard times lately, still …) is pretty good. They made it clear that Donovan was simply too old for what they were seeking on a more permanent basis.

by Steve Davis on Dec 14, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Old?

I did not know that. Thanks for the info.

by misfit15 on Dec 14, 2009 2:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see how this is a good idea. Who steps into the EPL after being off for three months, into the midfield and shows well? Especially when we’re talking on what amounts to a 3 month trial? There has to be more to this offer than we’re being told. Really, Donovan is stepping to a depleted team as it is, and he’s single handedly going to take them past this competition? What happens if in this time frame he just shows poorly, even if its because the team is just not very good?

How does Landon’s move to the next level start with what appears to be more of a setup for failure rather than a quality opportunity to succeed?

by peter Welpton on Dec 14, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

As an Everton fan

I’m really excited at seeing if Donovan does end up coming to us. I think that with guys coming back from injury, this could be a very dangerous attack that could potentiually win UEFA. Obviously, finishing in the top 4 is out of the question, but a healthy team next year and David Moyes’ squad could be in great position to finish in the top 4.
But anyways if Donovan were to come, I really would love this lineup for Everton.

Howard
Jakielga-Yobo-Baines-Heitinga
Cahill – Arteta – Donovon – Pinnear
Saha – Yakubu

With guys like Bilytedenov, Jo and Fellaini coming off the bench, this could be an extremely dangerous squad!

After Fuentes blows a save and an Angels loss to the Indians:
"Angels still in first place" - UCI Halo
"Hey you know who would have gotten those 3 outs in the 9th?
Darren O’Day." - FirebatM3
LOL

by hinduplaya on Dec 15, 2009 1:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs