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Donovan going on loan to Bayern Munich
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AP Photo/Christof Stache
As I hinted at before, the news that Landon Donovan is set to stay on loan with Bayern Munich isn’t a shocker. After training with the German powerhouse the last couple weeks, this Soccernet article says he could be there till the end of the season. Obviously this doesn’t mean great things for the L.A. Galaxy, who at best will be getting him in the middle of March.
The worst-case scenario for the MLS is that he stays there even after the Bayern season is over. And given that Bayern manager Juergen Klinsmann’s says in the article that the goal is to keep him there long–term (“at least until the end of the season”), that possibility doesn’t seem too far out of reach.
But while it won’t make the MLS happy to lose one of its certified stars, let’s take a look at the situation. Donovan is 26 years old and seems to be entering the prime of his career right now. Despite missing some games this season, he led the MLS with 20 goals and added nine assists, as well.
He failed to make an impact with Bayer Leverkusen earlier in his career, but he’s a much older player now who’s been around the block both domestically and internationally. If he’s going to make it in Europe, now is the time to go for it (as it appears he’s doing). Read some of the quotes in that article, too, from Donovan. The way he talks about his past European failure definitely shows some maturity and an eagerness to make an impact this time around.
So what do you think? Is this the right move for Donovan? Is Bayern too big of a club, should he have gone for a less high-profile team? Will he come back in March, stay the whole season, or stay beyond this season?
