Thursday, December 30, 2010

Silly Season, Abridged Edition

Tomorrow officially opens the January transfer window and a lot of focus is going on some current Yanks in need of new homes.  I'll give a run down on all the rumored moves.

Oguchi Onyewu
Back in 2009, following the Confederations Cup in South Africa, Gooch was hot commodity.  His defensive performance for the US throughout that tournament lifted him from the heights he'd attained at Standard Liege in Belgium, to make a transfer to Italian super-club AC Milan, who currently sit first in Serie A.  While being a back-up defender on a league leading club is respectable in its own right, playing time is the single most important thing in keeping fit and in form.  Reportedly, there are all loan options on the table for Onyewu's services, within Italy at clubs like Palermo, Chievo, and AC Bari.  His former coach Michel Preud’homme, now in charge of FC Twente who currently sit second in the Dutch Eredivisie, have expressed the most interest, and some sources are saying that this move could be made this week.

Benny Feilhaber
Feilhaber is currently the best player on his AFG Aarhus side in the Denmark second division.  He was close to a move at the end of summer but not enough dominoes fell the right way for it to happen.  There is reported interest from the SAS Ligaen, the Eredivisie, and the Spanish Primera in Europe.  But the most interest comes from this side of the pond, where Mexican power Cruz Azul is reported close to gaining Feilhaber's services.  A late charge from Brazilian club Botafogo set things back, but Feilhaber is 100% set to leave this winter.

Edson Buddle
Buddle who was on trial with Birmingham City last week, is reportedly garnering interest from both the Blues and Champsionship side Sheffield United.  If Robbie Findley can get a work permit, then surely Buddle can.

Jermaine Jones
Jones' situation at Schalke has gone from consistent starter to dog house.  He's looking for a new club and Wolfsburg have expressed interest.  

Adrian Ruelas
Rumored to be set to sign with Scottish power Celtic.  Just a rumor though.

Jonathan Spector
Despite his renaissance in the West Ham midfield, I'd look for Spector to still make a move to the mainland.  Cologne in Germany was reportedly interested.  Maybe West Ham keep him around until they are relegated come the end of the season.

Relegation Battlers  
Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, two consistent starters for the United States could be house hunting come the end of their respective teams campaigns.  Dempsey and Fulham's win against Stoke City pushed them just above the the relegation zone, and past history tells us that Fulham will stay up with a furious finish to end the season, but if they are relegated, Dempsey will definitely be on the move.  Bradley is currently the best player on the worst team in the Bundesliga, they are set for relegation, there is no hope.  Bradley will be sold, and Premiership and higher up Bundesliga clubs are sure to be waiting in the wings.