UPDATED: Donovan to Stay at Everton? It’s Possible

By: jen | March 6th, 2010

NethUSALandon photo courtesy of zimbio.com

Update: After scoring a goal and assisting another in today’s rout of Hull City, Landon was asked if there was a chance he would remain with the club. His answer?

“There is a chance. We’ll know more later in the week.”

See the interview here at skysports.com.

Landon Donovan has made a huge impact on Everton during his loan spell this winter. He has played stellar games against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, and only recently put in a poor performance against Tottenham Hotspur which has been attributed to having the flu.

Everton manager, David Moyes, has lauded Donovan since his arrival with the club in January and has expressed the desire to keep Landon with the club beyond his 10-week loan agreement. But until now, both Moyes and representatives of the Galaxy and MLS have been clear that Landon’s loan could not be extended.

What has changed?

Moyes said: “I am keen to keep Landon and it sounds initially in America that they might say yes. I think Landon is keen to stay also so it looks as though all parties are keen. But I have not got that confirmed yet, I can’t say exactly if that is going to happen. If we can make it happen we will.”

The LA Times, and other media outlets, are reporting that the Galaxy may be more open to extending Donovan’s loan now than they were in the past. At least that’s Moyes’ impression. However, it seems that the only way Bruce Arena will extend Landon’s loan to Everton is if MLS cannot reach a new collective bargaining agreement with its players.

“Obviously, the collective bargaining could change that,” Arena said. “If we don’t have a league going on, we would certainly entertain the idea of allowing Landon to stay there.”

So it seems Everton fans, Galaxy fans, and Landon Donovan fans are still waiting for a definitive timeline for Donovan’s return to MLS.

You can catch Landon’s final home game at Goodison Park against Hull City and Jozy Altidore Sunday at 8:00 am Pacific on Fox Sports Channel. If an extension of Landon’s loan agreement can’t be had, his final game with Everton will be next Saturday, March 13th, against Birmingham at St. Andrews Stadium.

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2010 Season, Player News

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David

His desire to return to Everton took one small step closer to reality today as it was reported that the MLSPU voted to strike if a deal cannot be reached with the owners. I still feel like a strike is unlikely, but this news is making it harder for me to retain that optimism.
ste

Landon has been nothing short of a revelation for Everton since his arrival, this weekend Everton go to play birminham city and unfortunately it looks to be his last before returning to the U.S.
I cant see his loan being extended to be honest and he has a contract with galaxy so its only right that Everton are respectful of that and havn't tried to be pushy.
having said that, i wouldnt be too shocked to see Everton make an approach to sign him on a permanent basis when the transfer window opens in the summer and most of us Everton fans would welcome this.
Lukas

would love to see Donovan staying at Goodison(but not against Arena's will), maybe there is a chance of buing him in the summer

thank you Landon for everything! you're great :)
David

I think Donovan was wise to sign a contract with the Galaxy. He got a nice raise and a safe position with a team he likes in a place he likes. It enabled him to take this loan deal. If things had gone badly, he'd still have a solid place. Now that things have gone well, he's really no worse off. It always would have taken at least $10M to pry him from the MLS. If he has a good world cup showing, there just might be a few teams ready to pay it this summer.

By the same token, there is no reason Arena should give him up. The last few months of the EPL season aren't going to make Donovan's career. He is leaving on a high point and arguably benefits more from not having a chance to ruin it.

The only chance he does stay is if the MLS players walk out. And that still doesn't seem very likely to me.
jen

That's right Dustin!! Your logic is superb! Thank God my husband doesn't care much for soccer.
Dustin

I think that proves to all married men, if you just leave your wives you could be a Soccer Star!

That proves it right?...Right?!?!
jen

George is right though. We don't know for sure that he wants to remain at Everton. And I would argue that if he does, it would be for similar reasons as to why Beckham went to AC Milan. Becks thought, at the time of his signing with the Galaxy, that he had little to no future in European football (and with good reason). I would argue that Donovan felt similarly about his chances In Europe, especially after last year's waste-of-time loan to Bayern Munich. So when Moyes begins to show interest after the friendly last summer, and after Landon's performance in South Africa last summer, a potential future in Europe isn't so implausible anymore.

Remember that Donovan's comments about Beckham and his AC Milan loan came in the fall of '08 -- well before he hit his admitted man-up growth spurt, separated from his wife, and had the summer of his life last year in '09.
Dustin

I'm tired of people screaming at Arena making him out to be the bad guy. You sign a contract you should honor it, or you're word is worthless.
Stevo

From the point of view of Everton fans here, we hope he can stay a bit longer, he is a class act and playing against the top sides in England can only benefit him and the U.S. national side for the world cup. If he returns to Galaxy on schedule then I would thank him for his excellent contribution to our season and hope he comes back next year. Good luck L.A. Galaxy for your coming season
MoMONEY

I havent been following this saga too close but what strikes me is the irony of Donovan slating Becks for staying in Milan then wanting to do the same himself. Oh the hypocrisy. Where is everyone that supported him against Beckham?
George

Isn't there a chance that Landon genuinely wants to stay in LA? If not, why did he resign in the first place?
jen

You're right, David. And I hope a fair agreement can be reached without a walk out.

I guess I had hoped that Arena, having coached Landon since his world stage infancy, would at least consider a loan extension at this time. Arena likes Landon and no doubt understands the benefits to Landon's career if he remains at Everton.

I feel another post coming on . . .
David

I think the positions are clear. Donovan would like to stay. Moyes would like to keep him. But Arena is bringing him back if the Galaxy are playing. So now it just depends on whether the players walk out.