For those that remember my posts on the old 606 (anyone? no?) will remember that every summer I suggest that we sign a certain player who is a current American international, went on trial with Man Utd and has killed at least five years of hype despite still being only 22. That's right. Freddy Adu. Once again, the guy has gone on another European tour trying to find a team that will play him for longer than five games a season and it looks like he lucked out with his recent loan move to Ãaykur Rizespor in the Turkish second division, one of the only teams that would offer him a deal. I don't follow the league, but from what I hear he's done his reputation proud. As there's little football on at the moment I decided to watch some of the Gold Cup and I was surprised to see Adu play in the semi-finals for the Yanks. He came off the bench and was probably one of the best players on the pitch, always looking for the ball, handling it extremely well and putting the ball wherever he pleased. He delivered this absolute beauty of a pass to set up Landon Donovan for the cross. The guy can play as a forward, on the right or most importantly, in the centre. He's played in Portugal, France, Greece and Turkey and seems to set people up almost out of thin air. He's not had a lot of playing time over the past three years, but that's down to some poor loan moves and just bad luck really. It's no surprise that Hull wanted him for £1M (and had it accepted) when they were in the Premier League. From what I hear Adu is out of contract soon and could leave on a free. It's also likely that Benfica will want to offload him anyway, and if the past shows anything he may struggle to find a team for next season. He's as good as free and will command similar wages to any other Championship player. It'd be a gamble, but if we put in a bid I'd be shocked if he didn't fly straight over and sign in the airport before we change our mind. A few years ago we couldn't afford him, now it seems that he'd go anywhere that could offer him football, even the back-waters of Turkish football. So, what do you guys think this year?
Well, the guy had always said that his favourite league was the Premier League, but with him not even being able to find a team in the top Turkish league I think beggars can't be choosers and that he'd happily accept a Championship team looking for promotion. I think it's insane that more teams aren't interested in a player that's made his money and will probably play for very little if a guaranteed place is available in the team for most of the season. As a midfielder he's as creative as they come and I bet all of his time in Greece, Turkey, France, America and Portugal hasn't been a complete waste.
Read my post again. I watched the entire match and he was the dominant player for the Yanks, always wanting the ball and spraying perfect balls out to the wings. The reason he can't find a game is because of poor loans. The guy has played around 10 games throughout the space of three years and because he wants to play he just keeps looking for new clubs. A smart player would have stuck with Benfica and just waited for more first-team opportunities. In many ways I don't blame the guy, he was pro at the age of 14 and had far too much hype surrounding him. I just can't help but think that it's too good an opportunity to pass as we've craved a creative midfielder for years now and with Adomah proving his Championship credentials and Pitman showing good form for us we'd score a ton next season with Adu in the centre. Regardless, he's young, he's cheap and if we offered him a trial he'd take the next plane to Bristol.
I remember him being a wonderkid in championship manager about the same time as Giles Barnes, who has also fallen on hard times after not being able to live up to the hype of being the best teenager at the time. Its each to thier own but there is surly a reason nobody wants him, if he continues his impressive swandive from child prodigy to part timer he will be lucky to fly in to Bristol and sign up for the Gas. Part of his problem may be that although he is playing for a Turkish 2nd division team he may be still raking in big Benfica dollars. I would happily sign a 4 year deal with Man Utd and never kick a ball for them, they could pay me £20k a week and loan me back to AFC Keynsham.
I may be wrong, but to my knowledge Benfica refused to pay his ages for another loan move and in his last term in Turkey he took a pay cut to play. Sure, he's not the American Messi, but if his international appearances were anything to go by he's definitely got what it takes to play in the Championship. Also keep in mind that his stint in Turkey was the first football he had played for the best part of two years. He was one of the best players for the Yanks in the Gold Cup, and he would have probably played better if he wasn't so tired at the end of his matches. Imagine what he could do with a full pre-season and regular matches. Also, keep in mind that he is still only 22 (although that is debatable - Google "freddy adu age" and you'll see what I mean).
Worth a punt for sure, but isn't he a right winger? And if so i can't see us keeping him and adomah happy as adu wants to be playing week in week out, so would you really leave adomah on the bench? Huge dilemma if he did join them, as adomah on the bench would be a waste but if we used adu as back up to adomah he'd want to leave at the end of the season :/ If i'm wrong and he's a left winger sign him up now
He used to play on the wing, but for the past year he's been in the centre of midfield, and this is probably his best position as he showed in Turkey and for the Yanks. To my knowledge he's played both left and right wing, in the centre and upfront so he's definitely worthwhile to have on the bench at least.
If he can play in a variety of positions then why not my only worry with this guy, it seems like if he's not playing week in, week out he'll want to leave... Still he's worth a punt
If I was he would have probably sacked me by now given his career choices since going to Benfica. I tend to keep track of a lot of leagues, MLS included, and I have some American friends who are into it. Naturally, Adu's name comes up a lot and I'm surprised that as he's said the Premier League would be his dream league to play in that a Championship team hasn't come in to try and land the guy.
