ASN: Clint Dempsey Switch Saga: 4 Probably Locations

A return to Tottenham? Fulham once more? Everton? Newcastle? Clint Dempsey is predicted to return to England on a short-term mortgage, and ASN’s Blake Thomsen checked out all 4 doable locations.

BY

Blake Thomsen

Posted
November 26, 2013
4:01 PM

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REMEMBER WHEN SATURDAY mornings belonged to Clint Dempsey?

For five-and-a-half years at Fulham after which a full season at Tottenham, Dempsey was a continuing presence within the English Premier League. He was a dedicated, entertaining participant who represented his nation nicely, and he was all the time a number of enjoyable to look at.

After which Dempsey left England and joined the Seattle Sounders.

That transfer hasn’t turned out notably nicely—for Clint or the membership—however Dempsey is predicted to return to the EPL on a short-term mortgage in January. It’s going to give him an opportunity to remain match prematurely of the 2014 World Cup, and to regain the shape he misplaced when he packed his luggage and moved to the Pacific Northwest.

However the place will he find yourself?

From a soccer standpoint, the U.S. captain wants to contemplate his prospects for taking part in time in addition to the tactical system of his potential crew. Let’s check out among the extra believable locations that the rumor mill has churned out to date.

Tottenham
The state of affairs: Tottenham has the rights to signal Dempsey if it desires to, however no credible studies have come out to date suggesting that his earlier membership is . Dempsey didn’t all the time dazzle in his one season at White Hart Lane, nevertheless it’s considerably humorous that the shockingly goal-shy Spurs aren’t (but) in signing a person who netted 12 instances for them in all competitions, good for third on the crew final yr.

Curiously sufficient, Dempsey matches significantly better within the present Tottenham crew than he did in final yr’s. A season in the past, Tottenham rode the dependable “pass the ball to Gareth Bale if you’re within 40 yards of goal” strategy to a fifth-place end. Whereas the superhuman efforts of the Welshman made the technique viable, it typically bypassed Dempsey (and the remainder of the Tottenham attackers), making it tough for anybody aside from Bale to contribute a lot offensively. This yr’s crew distributes the ball way more evenly, a system wherein Dempsey would seemingly thrive. The balanced passing assault has helped Tottenham generate probably the most pictures heading in the right direction within the EPL; the crew simply doesn’t have anybody who can, you realize, rating. The 89 million kilos spent this summer time on Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Christian Eriksen, and Nacer Chadli has delivered a whopping two targets from open play. It is exhausting to not think about the goal-poaching Dempsey having twice or thrice that quantity by himself.

It’s unknown whether or not Dempsey initiated his White Hart Lane exit this summer time or if Andre Villas-Boas inspired the departure. If leaving was primarily Dempsey’s choice, it wouldn’t be too stunning if AVB was interested by bringing him again. Nonetheless, a lot of Tottenham’s present struggles might be attributed to having too many gamers and no concept how you can successfully use them, so including one other attacking midfielder to the combination might not be within the plans.

Odds: 10/1 The longer Tottenham struggles to attain targets—solely the underside two golf equipment have scored fewer—the extra seemingly a Dempsey return turns into. Time will inform, however for now it nonetheless appears unlikely that Dempsey will return to North London.

Fulham
The state of affairs:Dempsey was final seen for Fulham in a historic 2011-12 marketing campaign that noticed him internet 23 targets in all competitions. On paper, the West London membership looks like the proper match for Dempsey. Supervisor Martin Jol loves him. He has an unbelievable observe file on the membership. However the present state of affairs is much more sophisticated than that.

To be frank, this Fulham crew is dreadful. Gone is the wonderful central midfield pairing of Danny Murphy and Moussa Dembele, which supplied defensive stability and a strong platform upon which to construct assaults. They’ve been changed by Steve Sidwell and the ghost of Scott Parker, a duo that will get overrun in the midst of the park match after match. To make issues worse, Fulham’s assault has regressed significantly, too. The ever-selfish Dimitar Berbatov is not going to be eager on offering Dempsey with the lay-offs and crosses he as soon as loved from Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora, whereas the likes of Patjim Kasami and Darren Bent aren’t famend for his or her willingness to move both. It’s typically tough to even discern what formation Fulham is definitely working, which speaks to the extent of its struggles in addition to the laziness and lack of tactical self-discipline of Berbatov, amongst others.

All of that is to say that returning to Fulham is way from ultimate. Nonetheless, Dempsey might worth the familiarity and assured beginning place extremely sufficient to significantly think about a return to Craven Cottage. Jol will surely be delighted to have him, and maybe a return to his outdated stomping grounds can be the proper antidote to his present struggles.

Odds: 3/1
Regardless of the very actual issues about Fulham’s high quality, Dempsey’s familiarity and distinctive previous success with the membership make it his almost definitely vacation spot. Whether or not the Fulham followers would welcome again their former hero—he was showered with boos final yr when Tottenham got here to Craven Cottage—is a distinct story.

Everton
The state of affairs: Apparent Landon Donovan mortgage connections apart, Everton represents probably the most intriguing and highest upside potential vacation spot for Dempsey. Everton’s assault has been inconsistent at greatest in current weeks and, like Tottenham, the membership will grow to be extra critically interested by Dempsey the longer it struggles to attain targets frequently.

At first look, Dempsey doesn’t appear like an ideal slot in Everton’s 4-3-3. His most popular deployment can be within the left wing slot, however Roberto Martinez would (justifiably) by no means break up the famously telepathic connection that Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar have loved on that flank for years. Nonetheless, if Martinez have been to get a bit inventive, he may get the best possible out of Dempsey by deploying him on the proper wing. Dempsey hasn’t performed the place a lot, however the potential right here is big. The overwhelming majority of Everton’s buildup play comes up the left aspect, which is not any shock given the standard of Pienaar and Baines, particularly in tandem. If deployed on the proper, Dempsey would be capable to do what he does greatest—end off strikes by ghosting in unmarked from the alternative flank. Beginning proper winger and Belgian worldwide Kevin Mirallas would pose a respectable menace to Dempsey incomes a beginning XI spot. However Mirallas has hardly shined this yr and his explicit ability set makes him ill-suited to profit from the Baines and Pienaar magic on the alternative flank.

It’s additionally value noting that Martinez switched to a 4-2-3-1 midway by way of the Merseyside derby this previous weekend, and Everton appeared way more explosive offensively after the tactical change. A 4-2-3-1 may accommodate Dempsey, Pienaar, and Mirallas, and would make a Dempsey-to-Everton swap much more promising. All in all, Everton may symbolize a wonderful match with the potential to revive Dempsey’s type and confidence earlier than the World Cup.

Odds: 7/1 Given the 2 ultra-successful spells that Landon Donovan loved on Merseyside, one has to assume that Everton followers would welcome Dempsey to Goodison Park with open arms. Dempsey would additionally benefit from the prospect of taking part in for a crew that’s making an attempt to crash the Champions League occasion. We’ll have to attend and see if Martinez will give him an invite. It appears doable, if not essentially possible.

Newcastle
The state of affairs: Newcastle may be very a lot on the rise after three straight wins, and presently sits simply two factors exterior of a Champions League place. Prior to now two years, few golf equipment have been extra energetic within the January window than Newcastle. The membership’s current switch historical past—mixed with its present overreliance on the red-hot Loic Remy for targets—signifies that a transfer for Dempsey makes a number of sense.

The Magpies started the season primarily in a 4-3-3, however the dismal type of misfiring striker Papiss Cisse, in addition to constant inconsistency from winger Hatem ben Arfa, prompted a swap to a 4-4-2. The tactical alteration has delivered three straight wins, so it’s unlikely that Pardew will deviate from the formation anytime quickly. From a taking part in time standpoint, it’s a particular optimistic for Dempsey that Newcastle’s standout performers have been everywhere in the subject—besides in his most popular positions. The primary-choice exterior mids in the intervening time are Moussa Sissoko, a advantageous participant however one who’s rather more comfy and efficient taking part in centrally, and Yoan Gouffran, who has been reliable if unspectacular for the membership since his arrival final January. There’s additionally room for Dempsey up entrance, as he’s a much more proficient participant than present second striker Shola Ameobi. Admittedly, the large Nigerian has performed a serviceable job alongside Remy within the present successful streak. However his purpose scoring charge (simply six targets in his final 56 Premier League appearances) may be very poor for a crew seeking to qualify for European competitors for the second time in three seasons.

Newcastle’s lack of outstanding personnel in Dempsey’s most popular positions bodes nicely for his taking part in time—a right away position within the beginning XI can be seemingly. With the stylish Yohan Cabaye pulling the strings from the midfield and Remy drawing the eye of opposing defenses, it’s not exhausting to think about Dempsey scoring early and infrequently for Newcastle.

Odds: 6/1 With its rabid fan base and 52,000-seat stadium, Newcastle has the large membership really feel and ambition that Dempsey has all the time regarded extremely. He’d by no means been strongly linked to Newcastle earlier than final week, however a January swap to the Magpies appears fairly doable. And a enjoyable U.S. nationwide crew angle? The timing of the potential mortgage works out that Dempsey would play for Newcastle within the notoriously heated derby towards Jozy Altidore and Sunderland in early February.

What do you consider these potential locations? Do you’ve got a choice? Do you envision Dempsey touchdown some place else? Chime in beneath—we need to hear your take.

Blake Thomsen is a contract author and an ASN contributor.