Landon to leave Everton

[The Seppo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8552757.stm

LA Galaxy dash David Moyes' bid to keep Landon Donovan

Everton manager David Moyes's hopes of extending Landon Donovan's loan spell at Goodison Park appear to have been dashed by LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena.

Moyes had hoped to keep Donovan beyond the end of his loan, saying: "I am keen to keep Landon and it sounds initially in America that they might say yes."

But Arena said: "We're not interested. Landon will be back here on 15 March, as we have said all along."

Everton's only hope is that the new Major League Soccer season is delayed.

League officials are in talks with the players' union about a new labour agreement, and the start of the regular season could be in jeopardy if no deal is reached.

LA Galaxy are due to get their campaign under way on 27 March.

In the event that the league does not start on time, Arena told the LA Galaxy website: "If we didn't have a league going on we would certainly entertain the idea of allowing Landon to stay there.

Donovan has impressed in his short time at Goodison Park, which has coincided in an upturn in fortunes for the Toffees, who have moved up into 10th place in the Premier League table.

The only low point was a bad miss against Tottenham last weekend, a game Everton went on to lose 2-1.

"In the main he has done a really good job for us," said Moyes. "It is very rare you can bring in someone in January on loan who can make a real difference to you but Landon has.

"But I think his manager at LA Galaxy would say the best World Cup preparation for him would be to start in their team.

"They will be keen to get him back so we will have to be respectful of their wishes. If we can keep him it would be nice but if not I totally understand it."

Should Donovan return to LA Galaxy as scheduled, it means Sunday's home match with Hull will be his last at Goodison Park.
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Here's the bit I don't get: "But I think his manager at LA Galaxy would say the best World Cup preparation for him would be to start in their team."

I say he's best left in England playing at a higher level of play and against players of higher skill level. I don't understand how going back to a second-rate league helps his preparation for the World Cup--especially seeing we're up against England.

[Karl]

Its true, but what I don't get, is when a team like LA Galaxy splash the cash on players like David Beckham, loans him out to AC Milan (who can't afford him), and AC Milan is hoping to extend the loan into LA Galaxies season. Why would LA Galaxy not wanna use a player they spent millions on? He has no resales value as he's 33?

Same goes for Landon Donovan. LA Galaxy have loaned out one of their best players to an English Club, and when their own season begins they are expected to extend the loan? Sorry, if you don't wanna dig up the ca$h, then don't expect an emerging club to sponsor him ...

I agree it would be better for US to have him in Premier League, but that is not LA Galaxies responsibility ...

[The Seppo]

that's certainly true karl but as a former manager of the us nat'l team, i'd like to think that bruce arena can see the value in letting donovan gain more experience in englland. the execs should know that a good result in the world cup will mean more attention paid to the mls.