I don't see why Americans have to have the next Messi in order to be taken seriously in the international transfer market.
There are plenty of instances of Americans, even domestically developed Americans, coming over to Europe and being key players for their clubs.
Dempsey with Fulham (and Spurs, to an extent), Donovan on his Everton loans, Bradley with Roma, McBride with Fulham, Cherundolo with Hannover, Reyna with S'land and Citeh.
It's not something I really get upset about anymore, since if a good Yank player doesn't get discovered they can just stay and improve the quality of play here instead.
It's just really dumb to discredit an entire nation just because there hasn't been a Ballon d'Or candidate yet. The truth is that there are quite a few decent to, dare I say, above average players that could "make it" in the Prem but instead are occupying designated player spots in MLS.
The phrase "can't see the forest for the trees" comes to mind.
Let me take this piecemeal:
First, I didn't say they had to have the next Messi, I said any inherent bias will leave if they have one. Just like people naturally want to sign boss Brazilians - because there is prior history of boss Brazilians. Unlike Americans.
There are not plenty of instances of domestically developed Americans (non-goalkeepers) coming to Europe and being useful
for top clubs.
Dempsey - good for Fulham (who are gash). Meh for Tottenham, certainly not key. He was a bench player for them.
Donovan - a total of what 10? games for Everton. Performed well, actively chose to not test himself over the long run
Bradley - Maybe good, left Roma for MLS and a nice wedge, even if he was good for Roma, it's not like he's Pirlo.
Fulham, Hannover, Sunderland, old City - also rans. The also rans don't have an anti-American bias. See Geoff Cameron and Jozy. It's the top level clubs that don't buy American talent - because it's entirely unproven at that level.
No one is discrediting the nation, but it's equally ridiculous to overvalue American players, as you are doing here, and acting as though the world is actively discriminating. We have good players now, but no great players. Good players don't get bought by top sides. The closest thing to a great American outfield player decided to stay safe in the MLS.
Dempsey did ok in the Prem, and I'm sure some other Prem teams would take him now. But not top 7, because
he's not good enough. And most football managers fear risk, because risk leads to them being fired. So why risk an American player, who's country historically has never had an outfield player better than solid in a top league, rather than go for a Brazilian, Spaniard, Portugese, French, or German player, who all have long, storied traditions of producing exceptional talent.
And even if you're just looking for solid talent - buy a home grown player to fit into the rule structure.
It honestly doesn't make sense to buy American unless you're lower half of the Premier League. And the lower half of the Prem does buy American, and they generally turn out to be gash.
, especially myself . Sorry about that!
