On Donovan to Everton, Friedel, and Happiness

For those who missed it yesterday, the big news in US Soccer was that Landon Donovan will be heading back to Everton for a two-month loan (January and February). This comes nearly two years since he suited up for the Toffees in a memorable (and very successful) three-month loan spell that included a Player of the Month honor and several big results over top teams.

The reactions to this news have been varied; while on the whole, everyone seems receptive of this idea, many wonder what exactly the impetus was behind this move. The juxtaposition to Brad Friedel's less-than-flattering comments about Donovan a week ago is something many have pointed to, wondering if this move was born out of a desire to prove Friedel and other haters wrong.

In the same line of thinking, there are some who wonder if Donovan feels his still has something to prove. Might his spell of middling form in the middle matches of the Gold Cup and the onslaught of scrutiny and debate that came after the Friedel comments have opened up some old wounds, despite his success at the club level this season?

There are also some who have postulated that this may have been prodded along by Jurgen Klinsmann, who hasn't had Donovan on the field since September 2nd and has been pushing his MLS-based players to stay active during the offseason with training or loans. With the US attack finally finding its feet for a bit against Slovenia, might Klinsmann be pushing Donovan, implying that he needs to win his spot on the roster?

Those are all theories, but personally I don't subscribe to any of them.

While the timing of this move following the Friedel comments might lend itself to an easy claim of causation, I'm inclined to say that's not the case. While the fact that this deal really came together in the last couple of days doesn't do much to help that perspective, I just can't really get behind the idea that Donovan did anything to initiate this move, and that insecurities contributed.

Let's not forget what happened two winters ago, and in the months that followed: Landon Donovan shut everyone up. He put together a stellar run of form at Everton, kept things going in MLS, and then had a couple of massive performances in South Africa. He showed up when it mattered most and showed that he can rise to the occasion on the big stage and against top talent.

His loan at Everton in particular was the perfect response in the face of the doubt and hate that dogged him since his less-than-ideals forays in Germany in previous years. His gorgeous volley against Hull City in his last match was an emphatic final stroke, a thunderous conclusion that was a figurative bullet through the chest of the monkey that he ripped off his back in the preceding weeks. (See the goal at 9:50 of the video below. Apologies for the ads, it was the only video I could find.)



All things considered, it was a perfect loan spell. The questions were answered. Having proven himself against the best, he could be more secure in himself and his game (if that were a problem in the first place).

Sure, 2011 was not his finest with the national team, and many will point to his benching in the Gold Cup as evidence that perhaps those old insecurities that may have plagued Landon in the past might be creeping back in. But again I have a hard time believing that, particularly when Donovan went on to reassert himself quite well within the Gold Cup itself, playing a pivotal role in the semifinal and final.

With another MLS Cup on his mantle after another strong club season and all of the above considered, I really don't think Friedel's comments (or any similar) had much impact on Donovan's decision. There's no way of truly knowing this, but I'm inclined to think that Donovan isn't so insecure to take those words to heart and feel the need to prove himself once more.

As for Klinsmann, I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted Donovan to stay active, but not out of some quasi-threat that Donovan's spot in the starting XI or squad would be at stake. Rather, it would be because Klinsmann understands all too well Donovan's value- still- to the USMNT, having seen the Yanks sputter without Donovan over the past couple of months. It's a theory that I've outlined before and one that I think didn't get enough play during the whole November call-up/decline fiasco.

With World Cup qualifiers next year and just one more official friendly date to restore some of the confidence that was lost over the past couple of months, perhaps Klinsmann just wants one of his best players to hit the ground running when the USMNT reconvenes for a friendly on February 29th.

That may be the case, but ultimately I don't see it as the main reason for this.

Ultimately- and what far too many seem to be overlooking as a possible motivation- I see this move as someone doing something simply because they want to. It's about utility, happiness; not competition and proving self-worth. Donovan has stated time and time again how much he thoroughly enjoyed his time under David Moyes at Goodison Park. Could it be that, conspiracy theories aside, he actually just really wants to reconnect with old teammates at a club that he loved being at, in front of fans that he appreciated?

Donovan himself said, "The opportunity to return to Everton and play for such a well-respected club and a manager that I hold in such high regard was something that was simply too good to pass up."

I don't see that as just lip service covering up an ulterior motive. I see that as a player who genuinely wanted to take advantage of an opportunity to do something that would make him really happy.

What about him declining a loan last winter, you might say; doesn't that invalidate my theory? Eh, it's not exactly the same situation; circumstances are different, and Donovan isn't coming off of nearly two straight years of continuous soccer. So to compare the two straight up is a little misguided, in my opinion.

As pundits and fans, we love to hyper-analyze these situations and consider all of the possible motivations: Does he want to prove Friedel wrong? Does he feel like he still needs to? Does he feel like his legacy is incomplete? But sometimes the most likely answer comes when we just look at the player as a normal human: maybe he's just a guy doing something that makes him happy while he still has the chance.

Do I think he'll have a chip on his shoulder in light of Friedel's comments, particularly when Everton play Tottenham on January 11th? Absolutely, I do. I don't that was the impetus behind this move, though, but rather simply a post facto motivation that still pales in comparison to his desire to perform for a team and fans that he loves.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there are insecurities that are eating at Landon. Maybe he wonders what might have been had he gone down a different path. But if I had to say, I don't think that's particularly likely, or strong enough to be the biggest factor in this move.

Sometimes, punditry just needs to keep it simple, and in this case I find myself looking past Friedel's comments and instead seeing a player who is eager to rekindle an old relationship with some fond memories.

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Motivations aside, the bottom line is that Donovan is headed back to Goodison Park in the prime of his career. And while this loan will be a little shorter than his last one, he'll still get his fair share of chances to strut his stuff against the big boys. Here's what Everton's schedule looks like between January 4th (the first match for which Donovan will be eligible) and February 25th (the final match day of his loan):

January:
4th: v. Bolton
7th: v. Tamworth (FA Cup)
11th: @ Tottenham
14th: @ Aston Villa
21st: v. Blackburn
28th: [Possible FA Cup Fourth Round match]

February:
1st: v. Manchester City
4th: @ Wigan
11th: v. Chelsea
18th: [Possible FA Cup Fifth Round match]
25th: @ Liverpool

All told, he'll be eligible for 8 Premier League matches, at least 9 total, and possibly 11 if Everton advances in the FA Cup.

He'll get a chance to take on Chelsea once again, having already turned a strong and confident performance two years ago that featured one my favorite moments of his loan spell, along with a couple of other high profile matches. While the hype won't be quite the same this time around thanks to his success in 2010 (the "is he good enough?" factor that had us all very eager and curious isn't there anymore), there will undoubtedly be plenty to look forward to in this short stretch abroad.

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Let's hope Donovan is able to rekindle the form that made him a fan favorite at Goodison in 2010, reminding everyone (Mr. Friedel included) that he can get it done against the best.