RUMOUR - Eddie Johnson

[RoyalChicagoFC]

Would be interesting to see how much we would offer for Johnson considering - http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2005-03-11-johnson-portuguese-offer_x.htm offer was made only 12 months ago.

Though general opinion is that it was Johnson himself that ultimately decided not to go to Benfica

Soggs, click the following link and check out the fine print:

Benfica put in a 4 million dollar bid for him sometime last year and MLS rejected it. Here's an article from last year, what's interesting is the bit about the ability to buy out the contract in January '07. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/grant_wahl/07/12/ej.salary/index.html

Leads me to two conclusions:
1.) The alleged offer of $5 mill from Benfica was overstated by a million bucks; and
2.) If transferred during the life of his current deal, EJ would be on the hook to MLS for $4 million, which of course the purchasing club would cover in a transfer fee. Dollar's been pretty weak of late, too, but of course I don't want to get too far out in front here...

[soggy biscuit]

Actually read on another website that Kansas City Wizards are keen to take Shane Long on loan as part of any deal with us.

Eddie Johnson is also the 4th highest paid player in the MLS

[Super Kevin Bremner!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGqIMBMqds

[football101]

He is Lita 2.0
A newer and improved version but the same headcase none the less. Worth a shot certainly.

[jerad]

He is Lita 2.0
A newer and improved version but the same headcase none the less. Worth a shot certainly.

he's never had problems with police, just coaches.

[BillBrasky]

He's not even close to Lita, at least not now. He'd be a long term project for SC to see if he can turn around his career. He went from scoring 16 goals in MLS in 2004 and scoring 8 goals in his first 8 international caps to scoring 2 goals this season. I wouldn't expect much although he does have the talent.

[readingbedding]

If I say it once I'll say it a 1000 times.

Do they tackle in the US?

[Fat_Septic]

My typically arrogant American Reply:

One of the things that makes Johnson a headcase - lately - would make any one of us headcases: being sent from a contending team (FC Dallas) to the windy, empty NFL cavern at Kansas City.

A player of excellent caliber, excellent potential. Given Coppell's ability, he could really be something. He'll certainly give 110%, I guarantee that.

And this also: he's quite a large man. Not paperweight. Can take a lot of punishment, I'd wager, even in the EPL.

[Im Spartacus]

My typically arrogant American Reply:

One of the things that makes Johnson a headcase - lately - would make any one of us headcases: being sent from a contending team (FC Dallas) to the windy, empty NFL cavern at Kansas City.

A player of excellent caliber, excellent potential. Given Coppell's ability, he could really be something. He'll certainly give 110%, I guarantee that.

And this also: he's quite a large man. Not paperweight. Can take a lot of punishment, I'd wager, even in the EPL.

I wouldn't pay any attention to Jason Royal, he is a prick and despised by most. If you ignore him he will eventually get bored and go away, typically to Miami.

[Fat_Septic]

My typically arrogant American Reply:

One of the things that makes Johnson a headcase - lately - would make any one of us headcases: being sent from a contending team (FC Dallas) to the windy, empty NFL cavern at Kansas City.

A player of excellent caliber, excellent potential. Given Coppell's ability, he could really be something. He'll certainly give 110%, I guarantee that.

And this also: he's quite a large man. Not paperweight. Can take a lot of punishment, I'd wager, even in the EPL.

I wouldn't pay any attention to Jason Royal, he is a prick and despised by most. If you ignore him he will eventually get bored and go away, typically to Miami.

I appreciate your remarks. Messages on an internet board are harmless. I feel sure that if Jason were to meet me in Miami he would want to hug me and perhaps have my likeness tatooed to his thigh.

[Forbury Lion]

And this also: he's quite a large man. Not paperweight. Can take a lot of punishment, I'd wager, even in the EPL.

You could say the same about Bas Savage.

[football101]

He's not even close to Lita, at least not now. He'd be a long term project for SC to see if he can turn around his career. He went from scoring 16 goals in MLS in 2004 and scoring 8 goals in his first 8 international caps to scoring 2 goals this season. I wouldn't expect much although he does have the talent.

Forget Lita 2.0 then. He is Drogba Lite. Bullish, physical, and powerful striker but without his skill...........
and has a potential to be just as devastating.

[soggy biscuit]

another report on the story
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=392376&cc=5739

Having read through some MLS & Kansas City Wizards websites I can't help but notice that Johnsons 'attitide', 'ego' and 'poor work ethic' coming up time & time again.

[jerad]

If he came to Reading with the typical American arrogant attitude

How many Americans football/soccer players have you actually met, let alone average americans?

Well, he is a regular visitor to Miami.

I've been once dumb arse

so you've obviously met plenty of americans then.



xeophobic prick.

[jerad]

If I say it once I'll say it a 1000 times.

Do they tackle in the US?

clubs generally have good team defenses, but bad individual defenders. the marking is weak so players get open easily; however, the tackling is very hard compared to the latin american leagues... not nearly as hard as england, though.

lets put it this way. there is much more dancing on the ball and buildup play than in england, so there more individual skill is diplayed by attacking players than you'd see in the championship. but if you dribble too much, you're bound to get your leg broken by a poorly-timed tackle, from a pissed-off, untalented hack playing rightback.

[E. Andrew]

He's not even close to Lita, at least not now. He'd be a long term project for SC to see if he can turn around his career. He went from scoring 16 goals in MLS in 2004 and scoring 8 goals in his first 8 international caps to scoring 2 goals this season. I wouldn't expect much although he does have the talent.

Forget Lita 2.0 then. He is Drogba Lite. Bullish, physical, and powerful striker but without his skill...........
and has a potential to be just as devastating.

he would have a long, long way to go to get there. most do. he's at most Drogba UltraLite

[Fat_Septic]

another report on the story
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=392376&cc=5739

Having read through some MLS & Kansas City Wizards websites I can't help but notice that Johnsons 'attitide', 'ego' and 'poor work ethic' coming up time & time again.

Although I don't know the man personally, I think being sent to Kansas City and the windy Steppe of Arrowhead NFL emptiness probably had a lot to do with his attitude problems. I think he'd be quite happy and willing to work if given a chance to play at ANY level in England, most especially a quality EPL team.

[Dirk Gently]

Met and spoke to Eddie tonight at the Royal Families bash.

Really nice bloke, very modest and he answered the question "so, are you going to be joining the Royals" he answered "I very much hope so."

He also signed an autograph and had his picture taken and seemed amazed that anyone would be interested in him.

[E. Andrew]

good work, detective

let's hope he's right

[The whole year inn]

Panama or not, a 17-minute hattrick is still quite good.