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D.C. United, MLS deny any talks to send Adu to Chelsea
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 WASHINGTON,
D.C. (Tuesday, February 7, 2006) -- D.C. United and Major League
Soccer moved quickly to dispute a news story from England that young
midfielder Freddy Adu was about to sign with Chelsea of the Premier
League there.
The Times of London reported that Chelsea, the defending EPL champion
and runaway leader this season, was about to secure the services
of the 16-year-old for a transfer fee in excess of $8.7 million.
"Chelsea. . . believe(s) that the deal is all but done, even
if they are prepared to allow MLS to dictate the timing of any announcement,"
The Times story read.
United president and chief executive officer Kevin Payne countered
with an e-mailed statement, definitively denying there were ever
any negotiations between Chelsea and MLS, which owns the contracts
of all the players of its 12 teams in its single-entity structure.
"Freddy Adu is a member of D.C. United and we expect him to
remain so through the 2007 season," Payne said in the e-mail.
"Neither we nor the league has had any conversations with any
club about a transfer of Freddy. Freddy knows the task before him
this year is to continue to improve and become a game in, game out
contributor to the success of D.C. United. We have great faith in
his qualities, and we remain convinced that in time he will realize
his potential and become a terrific player by any standard."
MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidid echoed Payne's sentiments in
an interview with Associated Press. ''We haven't had any discussions
with any club about a transfer for Freddy,'' he said. ''He plays
for D.C. and will be playing for D.C. for the foreseeable future.''
Chelsea's interest in Adu would have to be long-term since the EPL
does not allow players to compete until they are 18 years-old. Adu
will turn 18 on June 2, 2007. Additionally, Adu would not immediately
qualify for a English work permit, which generally requires a player
appear in 75 percent of his national team's "official"
matches, which would include major competitions, sanctioned by world
governing body FIFA, and World Cup qualifying.
In fact, Adu, who was born in Ghana, but is an American citizen,
has never appeared in an official match for the U.S. men. His only
appearance was as a late replacement in the 0-0 draw in a January
22 friendly with Canada.
According to The Times, Chelsea apparently thinks it would win a
work permit on appeal, possibly arguing Adu is a player or international
stature, given the immense press coverage he has received since
signing with MLS at the age of 14.
To get Adu first-team experience, Chelsea would presumably loan
him to a league without an age limit for the 2006-07 season.
"Chelsea is on a big push to buy the best young talent around,"
and has poured millions of dollars into a new scouting program at
the club," Leo Spall, a senior soccer writer with the London
Evening Standard told the Washington Times.
Further complicating Chelsea's quest for Adu is FIFA transfer regulations
where Paragraph 5, Article 19 states "International transfer
of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18."
There are many exceptions to the rule, but none would seem to apply
to Adu.
And, with the January international transfer window closed, the
only way Chelsea could acquire Adu now would seem to be a loan.
The club probably wouldn't be able to bring him in via transfer
until after the World Cup ends July 9.
Chelsea's EPL rival Manchester United and other major European clubs
have expressed interest in and scouted Adu since before he signed
with MLS. Adu has said Chelsea is his favorite team.
"All I would like to say at this stage is that Freddy has obviously
attracted a lot of interest internationally," Dan Segal, Adu's
agent, told "The Times. "We are mindful of the fact that
he will turn 17 in the summer. At this stage, nothing has truly
been decided."
There has been a lot of ado over a player who almost certainly will
not be on the U.S. roster for the World Cup, given manager Bruce
Arena's comments, and has been in and out of the starting lineup
in his two years with D.C. United.
Adu was sent home Thursday from his first training camp with the
U.S. men and told by Arena told his only chance to make the World
Cup squad was to excel in MLS. During the camp, Arena said that
he did not think Adu was ready for top international competition.
Adu has had a sometimes stormy relationship with United. He was
suspended for D.C.'s first 2005 playoff game after complaining to
the media about his lack of playing time, though he started 16 and
played in 25 of United's regular-season matches. It was not the
first time he groused about not playing enough or was admonished
for his comments by coach Peter Nowak.
Both Adu and Nowak claim that they have talked and all problems
are behind them. "I had a meeting with Peter and everything's
cool now," Adu told AP. "I trust the guy. I'm willing
to just work together on the field.
"I'm glad to be coming back to D.C. United. I don't want to
go anywhere else. I get the best of both worlds, getting to live
at home and play for the best franchise in MLS."
After immigrating from Ghana, Adu and his family settled in Potomac,
Md., a Washington suburb.
------------------------
MetroStars: Guevara ready to return?
SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Hounduran newspaper La Prensa reported that
disgruntled midfielder Amado Guevara plans to join the MetroStrs'
preseason training in Bradenton, Fla., Thursday, but not happily.
"I don't feel good on that team," Guevara was quoted by
La Prensa. "A transfer to another club will be difficult because
neither (general manager Alexi) Lalas nor my coach (Mo Johnston)
wants to let me go."
Guevara has been delayed while trying to obtain a visa,.
Guevara and Lalas have exchanged jabs through the media during the
offseason with the midfielder telling La Prensa at one time that
he did not want to play for a team run by Lalas.
Another MetroStars midfielder on the outs is 19-year-old Eddie Gaven,
who appears to be relegated to the second team two years after he
was named to the MLS "Best XI" and played for the U.S.
men.
Both Guevara and Gaven have been dangled in trade talks, but there
is no indication how much the Metros would want in return. In the
meantime, French international Youri Djorkaeff seems to be the be
the playmaker choice for Johnston, who took over as coach from Bob
Bradley with three games left in the 2005 regular season.
--------------------------
Chivas USA: Club contracts group to operate fan club
CARSON, Calif. -- Chivas USA has entered into a contract with the
Hispanic membership organization Grupo Arca which obtained exclusive
rights to operate the membership club for Chivas USA.
Grupo Arca will be asked to maximize the marketing potential of
the Chivas name in the Hispanic community, given the MLS club's
sister team, Chivas de Guadalajara, one of the most popular clubs
in Mexico, maintains almost universal recognition throughout Mexico
and Latin America.
---------------------------
Los Angeles Galaxy: South Korea is Wednesday opponent
CARSON, Calif. -- Two weeks into preseason training, the Los Angeles
Galaxy faces South Korea Wednesday night at The Home Depot Center.
South Korea advanced to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup and
is preparing for the 2006 Cup in Germany this summer.
Both teams will be shorthanded. Los Angeles has four players absent
while training with the U.S. men -- defenders Ugo Ihemelu and Todd
Dunivant, striker Landon Donovan and goalkeeper. Additionally, defender
Chris Albright and midfielder Peter Vagenas are nursing injuries.
South Korea is without six European-based players who are with their
club teams.
-------------------------------
Chicago Fire: U.S. under-17 men are blanked 4-0
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Chicago Fire received a pair of first-half
goals by rookie hopefuls and two second-half strikes from veterans
in handing the U.S. under-17 men a 4-0 setback at the IMG Acandemy
where the American teens are in full-time residence.
Midfielder Brian Plotkin and forward Calen Carr put the Fire ahead
2-0 at intermission. Midfielder Diego Gutierrez and striker Andy
Herron added second-half tallies.
http://www.soccertimes.com/mls/2006/feb07.htm
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