Altidore and Bradley May Be On The Move
According to a report by Goal.com, US National Team forward Jozy Altidore could be loaned out to Spanish side Sporting Gijon by the end of this month. Altidore, who played every match for the United States at this past World Cup, is currently on contract with Villarreal in the Spanish First Division.
Since joining Villarreal in 2008 from Major League Soccer, Altidore has already been loaned out twice, in 2009 to Xerez, and last season to Hull City in the English Premier League. Altidore has had much trouble finding playing time at Villarreal behind forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar, and has made only nine league appearances in more than two years with the club, scoring only once.
A move to Sporting Gijon would be beneficial to Altidore, only if he gets playing time. His loan move to Xerez back in 2009 saw him make no league appearances, and was basically a waste of time as he sat on the bench for the most part. His loan stint last season at Hull City was a bit more productive, as he made 28 league appearances, giving him valuable learning experience in the English Premier League.
Currently, Sporting Gijon sits in a relegation battle at the bottom of the Spanish First Division. This would be an opportunity for Altidore to show some leadership ability, while putting him under some pressure to score goals and keep the team in the top flight. There has been much speculation from media that Altidore doesn’t have the touch or skill to play in the Spanish League, and this time he can prove all his doubters wrong.
Meanwhile in Germany, there are reports that US National Team midfielder Michael Bradley may be on the move to English Premier League team Sunderland. Bradley, who currently plays with Borussia Monchengladbach in the German Bundesliga, has been a steady, solid player for the team, and a regular in the starting lineup since 2008. According to a Foxsoccer.com report, Sunderland may put in a bid for Bradley before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
I believe that both of these moves would be great for US soccer. It would be another US international playing in the midfield in perhaps the best league in the world, the English Premier League. If Bradley makes the move, hell join Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Stuart Holden, and Jermaine Jones as regulars in a Premier League starting lineup.
With Bradley being a key component in the US National Team in years to come, he needs to be on the best team he possibly can in order to get better. With his father as coach, hell probably keep on getting the starts in the midfield for the US, and playing against the best competition in the world will only boost his ability.
