By SULAIMAN FOLARIN
Can anyone explain why American sensation Freddy Adu is not getting more playing time with mid table AS Monaco in the French Ligue 1?
This is one question that bothers and still perplexes this writer. Yes Adu did not dazzle in MLS when he played for DC United or Real Salt Lake, but amongst young talents in Canada at the FIFA U-20, especially against Brazil, he dominated that game which paraded Pato and Jo.
That’s in the past and even after I interviewed the diminutive star after his transfer to Benfica, it looked like some hope was on the horizon with the move to Portugal. But after riding the bench with Benfica, a loan to Monaco looked pleasant for Adu in the form of experience and with fellow Africans in the league, he has to succeed, right?
Wrong.
Last year, when Adu was in Commerce City, CO to represent USA against Guatemala in the 2010 World Cup qualifier, I spoke with him about the Monaco situation and you could tell he did not really know what to say. This was before the game.
After his impressive performance and free kick in the U.S. team's win vs. Guatemala, Adu was more optimistic, pointing out that the Monaco president and coach watched the game and he expects some more playing time when he returns to Europe.
That was in November.
His last game for Monaco was on December 21 against Girondis Bordeaux. Since then, Adu has not been on the bench for Monaco, currently placed 14th on the league table, and has yet to play a league or cup game in 2009.
Though players like Jurgen Klinsmann, Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet along with George Weah have don their colors, Monaco is a shadow of its self, so why can’t Adu crack the team?
Loan deals are done most times for players to get experience and playing time. Manchester United sent Tim Howard to Everton and the Toffees eventually signed the American numero uno. Arsenal sent Mexican international Carlos Vela, then their U-17 purchase, to Spain for some time. Vela is back, but riding the bench due to the experience in front of him. Landon Donovan is getting some time with Bayern Munich, and rightfully so. The same can be said for his LA Galaxy teammate David Beckham.
For Adu, the story is totally different and the lingering question is why? Is it about the teams he plays for, or is it about the player? Adu has been with four clubs in the past three years, a pattern that makes you wonder just what should be the realistic expectations be for him.
Everyone thought Adu's performance a couple of weeks ago against Juventus, which earned praises from Claudio Ranieri would get him back into the team, but that is yet to be seen. The reality is if Adu gets no playing time in Monaco, it will start to affect his game, his confidence and most importantly the opportunity to prove that he is that quality player America needs.
Maybe a transfer to Belgium with Anderlecht or Club Brugge could help his game; get some years under his belt there, but those teams cannot afford his lucrative salary. What about the Dutch league with PSV Eindhoven where DaMarcus Beasley was a success? Maybe even Ajax, a club known in the 90′s to produce quality young talent like Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, and de Boer brothers?
What do you think, share your thoughts on Adu's situation below.
Well Ives,
Why don’t you call up someone @ Monaco and ask?
Maybe it has more to do with Adu than the teams? He was notoriously known as a diva when he was at MLS. Could it be that he is still acting up in Europe?
WHatever the case he needs to move QUICK before his “developmental” years are over ans clubs no longer view him as aplayer for the future.
Don’t forget about Wesley Sneijder, Klaas Huntelaar and Ryan Babel at Ajax. They’ve always been one of the best breeders of young talent
Freddy back to MLS!!!
read the byline Lorenzo
It must be his head.
Another article (I forget which) made some comment like “If he is not the worst practice player in the history of the game, then this doesn’t make sense.’
In the past I was willing to lay the blame on Adu’s attitude. But I’m beginning to wonder what more is going on. Yes, he has some shortcomings, but so do a lot of guys starting on lots of teams. Can he e that much of a tweener that no team anywhere can find a position for him?
Perhaps Adu does not put forth 100% effort in training while the coach feels he should. Many coaches will sit a player until they “shape up” to prove a point, even if the inclusion of the player would improve the teams chances.
He needs to go somewhere and fast. He has the skill to put up 20 goals in some mid-level European league. Then the Monaco will realize why they are now just a “shadow of their former selves.”
I think is absurd that Freddie does not get more playing time abroad. Everytime he comes out for the US he sparks the offense.
Freddy should go to Mexico. The money is good and the playing time is abundant.
who does monaco normally start at attacking mid?
it’s not his attitude, unless he’s just paying lip service to the media. recall some of his comments in recent interviews “every training session is like the world cup to me”. if he returns to benfica w/o significant playing time during the loan, its no telling what they may do: loan him out again, sell him outright, or give him a chance to fight for a spot. he’s still young, but freddy needs to find some playing time somewhere- even if it means a paycut at this point.
Red Bulls are always in need of left footed players
I’d be willing to blame Freddy if not for the fact that he’s been given absolutely no shot to play, nada. No league starts.
At Benfica, he was at least one of the most subbed players until the final coaching change, and he scored goals, he looked promising.
2 non-league (friendly and cup match) starts, in which he was clearly one of the top players on the field in both.
Compound that with the fact that Ricardo has been absolutely inept in every regard, has led the team to almost utter failure, and has already been fired from two other Ligue 1 jobs.
I really think Ricardo resents having Freddy forced onto him,and is holding a grudge. It’s not as if Freddy can’t get into the team because the players “ahead” of him are performing well, and Park came into the team and was handed immediate starts, despite producing next to nothing.
Go to Holland. More of our players should go too Holland.
At this point I would think he would be lacking for PT at Ajax and Eindhoven. He needs to play EVERY minute in a smaller league. Belgium, Austria, or a lower level English/Spanish side. Maybe he needs to move back to the MLS to a side that will actually play him. Just get him on the field.
If you can’t take over games in the MLS, you don’t deserve a starting spot in Europe. Landon Donovan did take over games, and he struggling to crack the starting lineup for Bayern. Adu is overrated and his lack of playing time does not surprise me in the least.
Lorenzo, perhaps if you paid more attention to the article, and spent less time being smarmy, you’d realize Ives had nothing to do with this. As for the post itself, I’m still not all that worried about Adu. For whatever reasons, American players simply take longer to develop. I never put much stock in Adu being ready for WC2010 anyway. Once the kid gets into his early 20′s and matures a bit more, I think he’ll be fine.
Even if Freddy still has an attitude problem, that can’t be the only reason — his lack of minutes is more than that. Monaco is sucking it up, especially the attacking players ahead of Adu. Adu is as good as those players, and most likely, more electrifying and capable of a Wow-factor performance.
I think it’s obvious Ricardo thinks signing Freddy was forced on him by Jerome de Bontin.
the bottom line about adu and benfica and monaco is that he isnt better than the people in front of him…not saying that hes way worse…or that he cant play…but hes not good enough to be an unquestioned bench choice much less starting 11 for benfica or monaco based on the other players they have in the second striker/winger positions
I think Adu would have been better served joining a slightly smaller program than Benfica or Monaco in the hopes of more playing time. I’m sure at his young age he’s still learning, but there’s no substitute for game time. Even stayin in France at a team where he will get minutes owuld be good, else off to Belgium, Holland or even Spain for some experience. It’s been to be at a smaller club playing that rotting away during these key formative years.
Still, I don’t think he’ even close to a bust/wash out, WAY to young for that.
Isn’t there some rumors that the coach really didn’t want him. I believe I read that the President of the club wanted Adu to make the club more popular with Americans. I think they just launched an english language web-site as part on those plans. Adu may have mistakenly made himself a pawn in a power struggle at the club. Ricardo may be using any excuse he can to keep from using Adu in the team, sort of a you can force the player on me but you can’t make me play him situation. I think players sometimes just get screwed if they were never really a part of the coach’s plans to begin with.
I didn’t like him in Real Salt Lake. Everybody said he was the best thing in US soccer but I just didn’t see it. He wanted out so bad to go foreign and we thankfully let him go. I just haven’t seen any sort of consistent skill. But that is just me, I think he is over rated. If he could get some playing time and develop a little more, I think it would do him good. Just don’t send him back to RSL!
i … uh .. . .well. .. he . . . ummmm . . .
I really don’t know! The kid can play. What the crap is his agent doing in all of this?
I know it’s out of Freddy’s hands, but here’s to hoping he can find a way to move to Holland asap.
Who’s the manager of Monaco? He must be a fool.
I’m through even asking these questions anymore.
Whether there are all of these broad machinations working against him or not, if he were turning heads SOMEONE would be forcing Ricardo’s hand on the issue.
“If you can’t take over games in the MLS, you don’t deserve a starting spot in Europe. Landon Donovan did take over games, and he struggling to crack the starting lineup for Bayern. Adu is overrated and his lack of playing time does not surprise me in the least. Posted by: dolan”
What a Stupid thing to say, let me think, Toja never took over games, Mcbride never Took over games, BECKHAM never took over games, Jozy never took over games….
BLanco and GBS have taken over games, but you wont see them in europe any time soon
He needs to find a team with a manager (who plans to stay for a while) that wants him in a league where defenders won’t just push him off the ball (his lack of size could be an issue for managers). The French ligue seemed to make sense but maybe the Dutch league would be a better place. Beasely and his slight frame did well there. Maybe Earnie Stewart at NAC Breda would take him under his wing though I doubt they could afford Freddy.
If what a lot of these commenters say is correct, looks like he either needs a coaching change or a change in clubs. Obviously he needs to play and, at least from what we see in various USA performances, obviously he’s good enough to be a major contributor somewhere.
And whoever made a comment about Donovan struggling to start in Bayern is crazy……who expects Donovan to start regularly over Toni and Klose (much less after a month with Bayern)?
Monaco’s problem seems to be conceding goals, not scoring them. Only 4 clubs in Ligue 1 have allowed more. It may be that Freddy can’t get a place because they need someone who works harder on the defensive end.
I also believe Freddie is on loan to Monaco from Benfica. Unless Monaco really believes that Freddie can help them win, they have zero reason to play him. They don’t really care to develop a player who isn’t their own. Personally, I would either like to see Freddie play in Belgium or Denmark where Americans seem to fit in well.
Adu needs to fire his agent, the guy has done him ZERO favors.
Ricardo didn’t want him.(he said this to the Lisbon press) If you’ve seen them play, he doesn’t really fit their style. They play like a mid table Coca Cola Championship team. The American chairman brought him in, obviously without consulting Ricardo, and here we are. Freddy isn’t even getting token end of game minutes any more because he conceded a corner against Bordeaux that led to a goal. They have a lot more problems than him, but Ricardo clearly doesn’t want anything to do with Freddy.
well, he is 26 years old now, right? He’s probably not going to get better. It was easy for him to dominate kids when he was posing as a teen
my big hopes for this year are that Monaco and Man City are relagated
Pato didn’t get much time with Milan in his first year. Jo is sucking it up at Man City.
Young players struggle, its a fact of life. Jeremy Menez who left Monaco to Roma also isn’t getting lots of playing time.
Could it be because there are no “age” restrictions in the French League? You said he seems to dominate in the youth competitions, maybe that could be the reason?
I feel bad for Freddy.
Hope he can get some PT anywhere in Europe. Maybe Belgium is the place…better than the bench.
MLS needs to be more protective of their players, as to how it pertains to the National team. What I mean is MLS should loan out players instead of transfering them right away. How many of the U.S.A. national team members are going to have to ride the pine before things change.
PLEASE MLS, do not transfer Sasha to Celtic, loan him out and see if he gets any playing time firt. That way if he does well, the supporters for Celtic will put enough pressure on the manager to keep him in the squad if he is transfered. Loaning benifits the player also, as it allows them to see if it is the right move or fit for them as well…I guess the only big draw back would be player salary considerations.
It is beyond odd, i have seen some Monaco matches this year and they are awful. Freddy is definatly better than the majority of talent they have on their books. It has to be off the field related IMO. Whether its an issue between the club managment or something else.
Botom line is He needs to dump his agent and get with someone that will get him into a good situation because he needs matches. At his age he doesnt needc to be a fulltime starter but he should at least be a first squad player and getting minutes on a regular basis.
Do we have tapes of Monaco practice like we did of Bayern when Donovan was on “trial”? If we did, we may know the answer. Practice is where coaches decide who to play, and if he isn’t performing on the practice pitch, then he isn’t going to get a single minute.
His efforts in practice have been an issue for him admittedly, because he said in the last interview I read that he was learning to give 100% every practice to get some playing time.
Maybe because of lack of PT he has given up in practice and is asking for a transfer…Sounds like a vicious cycle.
However, he is still young, what is he, 20? Donovan took some time to get where he is now in Europe. Bring Adu back to MLS and let him get some playing time and his feet back underneath him. Then lets talk about going back across the pond when he turns 26 or so.
I like Freddy. I want Freddy to do well. This is the kind of stuff that happens when you overhype a middle schooler and call them “the next (insert name of famous footballing legend here).” The expectation to reality quotient is just way off.
The MLS wanted Freddy Adu to become the next best thing to grow the MLS. They didn’t really care about Freddy and what would be best for his development. One could argue Freddy was only thinking $$$, and NOT his development, when the MLS talked to him and his folks.
If we asked Freddy now whether he would like the $$$ or more development as a young player in a top European youth academy, I wonder what he would say?
When does Bradley call in the members for his camp before the Mexico game??? I thought it was today or yesterday… I’m ready for some REAL U.S SOCCER NEWS. Something to get excited about.
Quick Poll:
Do you think Adu will get called in for the game vs Mexico, even just to watch from the bench?
My vote? NO
He is not on the “A” team IMO right now. Torres deserves the spot.
My advise: Take a pay cut, get to a club where you make the first XI, prove yourself, and shut the heck up.
I think he should reconsider coming back to MLS, get a few years here and then go back to Europe a-la-Donovan
PSV Eindhoven would be a perfect fit for him. That club has groomed so many players that went on to play for top-tier clubs.
You know where Adu will get an abundance of playing time? MLS. Other than that he will be fighting for time. I think he pushed it and left for Europe too soon. And now he is seeing the effects of it by riding the pine everywhere he goes.
Doesn’t Freddy give interviews? The question IS NOT so much why Freddy isn’t playing, but rather WHY DOESN’T ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING?? Our (very good) soccer reporters have really really stunk in this regard.
Also, I believe that after 4 or 5 coaches who have not played him, it can only be Freddy’s fault. He must be playing around in practice as usual.
Freddy is really about 24-26 yo. They lied about his age to give him an advantage. Just look at his stats. He has not grown at all since he was supposedly 14. Just my take.
Oh, and he isn’t physically strong enough, and too easy to knock off the ball. Therefore, no playing time.
while he does have skills, he is not a good soccer player.
It’s a shame, but that’s the life of a Pro Footballer!!! He still has plenty of chances though. Look happen to Landon! He’s just has to MAN UP!! NAH MEAN!!
I guess my question is what is the point of this article? We all know that he is not playing at all. If he were, it WOULD get headlines on major websites such as ESPN and SI.
Yes, it is frustrating for Americans to see one of our own riding the pine (or bucket seats depending on the stadium), but let’s be honest… the kid is too short. Yes, there are other short players out there, but he is only 5’5″ (on a good day).
WITH HIS SIZE, HE BETTER BE ABLE TO TAKE OVER A GAME WITH HIS OFFENSIVE TALENT, BECAUSE HE LACKS SO MUCH DEFENSIVELY!
So the real reason is that he can’t play defense. I know that it seems like something that he has improved on, and he has, but he still can’t defend and if you can’t do that you shouldn’t be on the field as a midfielder.
Freddy need to bite the bullet salary wise and move to a team that will play him. Robbie Rogers did the same for different reasons when he left Holland to return to the MLS. It has paid dividends for him in getting valuable playing time. I am not saying return to the MLS, just follow the example-he needs to go where he is going to play. At his age, experience is more important than money.
Don’t know that there is much that can be done about this situation. It is all up to Adu, yet again what he wants to do. He can either continue to stay at Monaco and see what he can so about his current situation, or he can go elsewhere yet again…
Unfortunate turn of events… Hopefully something good comes out of this situation soon…
Onto more important news, anxiously awaiting the roster for the February 11th showdown against Mexico…
Good luck Freddy, stiff upper lip, yah?
As for Ranieri giving him props you may need to read that quote again. The question posed was about how someone so young could play that well against Juve and Ranieri says “yeah, is he only 19?” in a wry manner, meaning he thinks is cleary at least 23 and that his age is falsified. No matter though.
Just curious for everyone who seems to champion playing in the Dutch league, how much Eredevisie do you watch? What is the obsession with this league? Becuase it lacks stout defenses and players can score in droves? Not sure what that does for one developmentally. Not that it has any bearing on anything, I would just like to see Adu go to a team/league where he can get starts or solid subs (at ’65, none of this last 5 mins biz) and be nurtured. That is what his agent should be looking for, he’s in a joke of a situation right now. Also, maybe a club that’s hungry to build something as opposed to one that is fighting to stay up in Ligue 1, we all know when that happens coaches tend to favor tried hands and vets.
why is everyone so enamored of that freekick? it was in the best third of the goal, but the keeper just bounced the wrong way. it’s like feilhaber’s goal: one shining moment. Feilhaber’s was great skill, but what about the other 89 minutes?
Watch Freddy play and I see him struggle in the middle of the park. And he has stated that he won’t play out wide, which is where I’ve seen his best moments come from. I feel like he’s an attitude problem and needs to be sitting and watching games for a couple years before his skills will finally be matched by his soccer brain and attitude.
Oog, who can blame him. I’d do anything to get out of Utah too.
I don’t think it’s the agent, it’s the player himself.
Adu couldn’t get out of America quick enough. He was too good to learn the system at DC and come in as a sub, so he demanded out for RSL, then demanded out again to Europe.
Now he’s there, and he’s figured out that instead of being the wonderkid, the future of American soccer, he’s just another kid in the crowd.
This is why I think Altidore has found more success than Adu. Altidore took his time, didn’t throw fits about playing out of position or taking a seat, but tried to get better.
I think Adu needs playing time above all else. Some time in perhaps the Spanish 2nd league would do him good. Learn the game the Spanish way, which suits him IMO, and he’ll see a lot of time there.
One would hope anyway. Another failed stint and he might be coming back the the MLS with his hat in his hand.
Freddy is one of the top 5 technically gifted players in the US pool, but speed wise he lacks a top gear that other attacking players have and defensively he is a liability.
Freddy and his agent need to be realistic after this failed Monanco move, a mid level club in a mid level league where he can get playing time should be the next move. He needs pt to make a breakthrough.
I’m pulling for Freddy, I think his attitude and his work rate have improved in the last year, and he could still be a bigtime asset for the Nats.
“”"who does monaco normally start at attacking mid?”"”
See, this mindset is so typical of u.s. sawker. It stems from the unlimited substitution game, which is what we play here, that concepts such as attacking mid and d-mid could become so standard. You see, you need to be able to “attack” as well as play “d” as a mid, if you want to play in Europe.
For example, did you see “Mash” for Liverpool yesterday, with an excellent thru ball that set-up the goal, the best pass of the game, from someone the American game would dub a “d-mid.”
Adu probably needs to play some “d” and just doesn’t feel like it. In his mind, he’s an “attacking” mid.
for everyone saying freddy is better than the people they have at monaco i ask who:
definitely not better than:
meriem
pino
young players who he MIGHT (there is room for debate either way) be on par with who are actually signed to monaco meaning they have more incentive to develop them:
park (a guy who at least made an impact in his home league before moving abroad)
licata
nimani (6′ 3″ target striker)
young academy player who MIGHT already be above adu in depth chart:
diaz
plus monaco has more young promising players who havent played much who might be more important to their future plans than adu
He’s a kid. Not many players his age consistently start in top divisions. Many–myself included–thought he’d be seeing more clock at this point, but this is nothing to freak out about. He’s a good player with a long career ahead of him. After 6 years, I’m really tired of all of this “will Freddy ever make it?” talk. He’s obviously not Pele, but who cares…we’ve known that for a long time. He’ll contribute to the National Team and he’ll help the Nats progress over the next decade.
I’m sick of these type of stories all the soccer sites continuously post regarding Adu. We all want to know the answer so ask the questions. Puts some boots on the ground, get out there, call the manager, call the team, call Benifica, do something. This is probably the 10th playing time post i’ve read this year. Can’t someone just do the reporting and get the job done?
Freddy’s a no-defense playing tweener which means he has to get to the point where a coach says, “How could I not play him? I better do the tactical shuffle and make wholesale changes to get him on the field!”
Defense and positioning are a state of mind that Freddy doesn’t want to visit (as much as Utah it seems!), and until he does, it’ll be very tough to get minutes.
Most of the commenters have hit it, the correct synthesis is:
1. doesn’t play a lick of defense
2. small and not very strong, easily dispossessed
3. lacks breakaway speed
4. “big head”
5. bloated salary that makes smaller league teams unable to assume his contract.
Bottom line — Freddy needs to go to a “smaller” league for less money and actually develop his craft. Time is running out on him he is close to becoming the next Jovan Kirovski.
People often forget that they were screaming “hack” at Dempsey in his first season at Fulham. Fans can be really impatient. Monaco’s probably not the place for Freddy. But what he needs to do is put two years in at some club…the minutes will come. It’s hard for a 20 year old to walk into a new club and take a starting spot.
I think everyone just has to come to the realization that Freddy Adu isnt that good. He is an average player at best. Hype and attention doesn’t guarentee minutes and success.
Ives,
Pull some strings, I believe every word you wrote. He is a extremely talented kid and his game is being hurt by riding the bench.
I think the problem with many American players who have been given the high road their whole lives is they don’t know how to fight for a spot. This is why the overhyped guys don’t succeed, the guy that can walk on any MLS team and start right away… that attitude is what hampers fredy and thats what BB has been trying to relay to him, to fight for it. Fight for the ball, don’t get pushed off so easily, work for your team mates, make the sure pass, these are the things fredy dosen’t do… so if your a coach who now has a kid who hasn’t proven himself one bit and he walks in with all this whoopla, what do you do? This coach has decided to low ball him… fredy’s next move will depend on what he wants out of his career. If he wants to be a highly paid benh player, he’ll stay at monaco and then go back to benfica, if he wants world cups and championships and a real legacy he makes a move to PT and probably should take a pay cut to get it.
One issue which is never mentioned is Freddy is not very fast. He is quick and has a lot of tricks, but does not posess much pace (If you don’t believe me, watch his games again and see if he pulls away from anyone in open space).
You can be successful without top class pace if you are strong on the ball, or have a high work rate, but Freddy does not have those either. He currently needs be played as an attacking player without much defensive responsibility, and he’s not good enough for that role currently.
if you guys are ever down about freddy or any of our other young players just look to matt derbyshire to cheer you up. matt derbyshire was an english u-21 international and a proflific goal scorer on that level. he was on balckburn and touted as one fo the best young english strikers in the english barcalys(which wont be a sponsor for much longer) premierleagueship. Now he hasnt been able to produce at balckburn and now he ios going to olypiakos on loan. OLYMPAIKOS!! This is just what I have beem waiting for to prove english football sucks. the Greek league is alot worse than the preimeirship but once derbyshire cant even make the bench for them people all around the world will laugh at the. i mean how great would it be to see other englsih players in leagues outside of england? Mark noble in Portugal? or whatta about luke young in spain? Or how bout darius vassel in italy? or maybe Kevin Nolan in Russia? This would be as the English like to say a laugh!!!! Lets toast to high school girls and to the death of englsih football.
contradiction in the comments:
-one of Freddy Adu’s biggest problems is his big ego and sense of entitlement
-this time spent on the bench and struggling for minutes is detrimental to his career
If you honestly feel that Freddy’s ego is an issue, isn’t sitting the bench and fighting for playing time extremely beneficial?
Throw me into the camp that says Freddy should return to the US to polish his game. He may have lofty dreams and high expectations for himself, but simply playing in Europe just to sit on a bench is not the way to achieve them.
Hate to think it, but the Mexican league might be good for him. OR, even a league in Argentina or Brazil would be good. His size combined with his skills on the ball would help him excel in those leagues. MLS just doesn’t have enough to offer, though I wouldn’t complain getting him back!
I am thinking Adu is going to have to take a pay cut to get some playing time.
he should lower his “lucrative” wage demands if he wants to move to another league and get playing time.
I love that any time we talk about an American player, he gets to be a symbol of “All That Is Wrong With American ‘Football/Soccer/Sawker,’” etc. It’s insightful and helpful in understanding the situation. Thanks.
But on point, it seems to me that Freddy’s problems are probably a combination of most everything that people have mentioned, although the idea that coaches will always play the players who are objectively the best is kind of laughable. Has anyone watched the US National Team over the last 10 years? Coaches are people just like players are people, and they pick favorites, have blindspots, and hold grudges like anyone else. Is that the only reason Freddy is on the bench? No way, but coaches aren’t infallible, so the fact that Freddy can’t get playing time at Benfica or Monaco does not necessarily mean that he’s not good enough.
I’ll say bring Freddy and any U.S. player not getting any playing time in Europe, especially the ones that are not even dressing up back to the MLS. Let them mature here in U.S. soil before sending back to Europe.
Let’s take Landon for example. Difference in Landon between his first and second try in Europe and now is maturity.
I’ll pay to see Freddy play in the MLS.
1. Freddy is not 19. He’s probably closer to 22. They have every birth record at the hospital he was born at in Ghana… except his. He volunteered to do a bone-marrow test… but his mom and agent stopped him. He might think he’s 19, but he’s not 19.
2. He’s slow. If you are 5-foot-5 and expect to play pro soccer at the highest level, you better be as fast as Shaun Wright-Phillips or Aaron Lennon, both of whom are similar sized players but are much faster.
3. Throughout his youth development, he always had big bursts over his opponent — but those bursts got shorter as he got older, i.e., others caught up.
4. He’s got the tricks, yes. The dribbling and the set pieces. But not the overall game. Both Monaco and Benfica have better options and he isn’t playing.
noname your an idiot
“Maybe a transfer to Belgium with Club Brugge or Anderlecht could help his game.” I know for sure he would not see any playing time with Anderlecht, they have enough attacking options, and i doubt he would get enough playing time with Brugge. I think its time for him to go back stateside, but i guess he was no good here either.
Elsewhere on your blog, I made the point that the Galaxy should sell Beckham, sack Arena, and start afresh (by recruiting good college players, young internationals, some progressive-thinking good-with-young-players coach). Adu, Convey, Pearce, Spector, Johnson, and the like would fit in as a great part of that!
Absolutely pathetic I have seen Freddy play for Monaco he has stood out to me and has been much better than half that team. Shame on the coach
Adu should go play in the Mexican league; perhaps Chivas or Pachuca.
In my eyes there are only two possibilities:
1) Freddy is slacking off for whatever reason during training.
2)The Monaco manager doesn’t like Freddy and is a complete douchebag.
This could be a French version of Drogba vs. Scolari. You have a Fantastic player and a coach who he doesn’t get along with.
Whatever the reason, he needs to communicate to his agent he wants out and wants playing time Every game he doesn’t play is a game he is missing out on progression.
he needs to grow a pair
freddy adu threads….bringing out the yahoos since 2004. Now with a 100% money back guarantee.
I saw Adu play last year in the US/Argentina friendly at Giants Stadium. He was absolutely fantastic when he came in as a sub. I can’t believe he cant crack the starting lineup at Monaco.
im so sick of the hes not 19 hes more like 26 argument and the he’s too light weight he gets pushed off the ball easily argument and the he’s got a huge ego. The fact of the matter is when he was on the field for the u-20′s he was class. When he’s gotten on the field (with the exception of the T&T game) he’s been very good for the national team. When he was on the field and given a chance for Benfica he performed well. There really is no reason he should not be playing. He is better than any attacker monaco has, watch two or three monoco matches and you’ll see how garbage they are up front(well their team in general as well. Its a shame I feel bad for the kid.
Wow, 19 years old and washed up. Sad.
Adu probably has a bad work ethic, and attitude and the coaches are sending him straight. It doesn’t make sense, and one can only blame Freddy himself.
Adu probably has a bad work ethic, and attitude and the coaches are attempting to fix it. It doesn’t make sense to blame others when should only blame Freddy himself.
“Doesn’t Freddy give interviews? The question IS NOT so much why Freddy isn’t playing, but rather WHY DOESN’T ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING?? Our (very good) soccer reporters have really really stunk in this regard.”
This is actually an interesting point because a friend of mine covered a few games at the U-20 World Cup in Toronto and he ended up covering the US games against Uruguay and Austria. He was actually amazed and quite annoyed at how much his handlers and USSF officials actually shielded him from talking to the media. At one game his handlers told any media at the post-game scrum that Freddy wouldn’t be doing any interviews. He told me it really pissed off a lot of journalists that were there because players like Gio Dos Santos, Sergio Aguero, and Altidore were actually a lot easier to get for interviews than Freddy Adu. He said he felt that USSF officials and his handlers were trying to sort of build this mystique around Adu by making it hard to gain access to interview him.
Ditto…Why not interview Monaco.
Chu Young Park starts in front of Adu at Monaco. Look up his stats; dude is not producing….there has to be some sort of hatin’ going on over there….u guys shouldn’t bash adu…at first, i didn’t like the kid, but he’s been showing a lot of promise and I wish he would get some playing time. I’m vietnamese, I was hoping Lee Nguyen would show some promise, but dude signed for the VN league…I played in VN…it sucks over there….stupid moves…adu is better than Lee Nguyen for sure…
Holland
like allen iverson would say…practice??? ya’ll talkin’ bout practice mayn….BS…lol….ADU has shown in with the U23…and U20s…he can make it out there…maybe not as a starter…but at least as a sub in the 65th minute on a strong squad…
People, people…have we watched Mr. Adu’s game? He is not a good fit for Holland. That league is a bit too physical for him.
Beside that, what on earth would make anyone believe that he would get time with Ajax, a GIANT club in Europe, when he’s getting no time with Monaco?
His best fit is in Spain (maybe Italy too) and perhaps he should try to get in a Liga B side and try to work up from there.
Honestly though, I always get the impression that Adu thinks he is the cock of the walk and just doesn’t put the effort in to ‘force’ the coach to include him.
Wow Vince, do you usually refer to people by racial slurs?
He should try to head to Spain, La Liga 2 or maybe a small La Liga team. His style of play doesn’t match up with Ligue 1.
There are more players than Adu sitting in civvies. Maybe one has to look at their agents and their placements?
It’s simple: Freddy is on loan at Monaco not because the latter expected to play him much right away, but because it expected to get a long enough look to figure out how much to bid for him.
People here have to get a grip. He’s a great talent, and probably would step it up in the right top-level environment. But he’s also still a kid, in development terms. Most top-level youth strikers are not cracking their first teams regularly at 20. Does anyone think 18-year-old Danny Welbeck is going to be a day-in, day-out striker at Man Utd. within 18 months?
And Edu isn’t at that level. He’s a good player, but not a world class player. He’ll have a long and distinguished career if he’s brought along properly.
But anyone here who thinks he’s read at his age and relative inexperience to step in and start in Europe, a) overestimates MLS, as usual; b) underestimates the skill level at the top level, and c) doesn’t understand that top clubs groom players. It is highly unlikely you will see more than about one player in a decade go directly from MLS to leading a top-level European club’s attack.
I tend to agree with the assessment that Freddy is likely older than 19, at least by a couple of years. I would also echo my desire to see him move to a league where he can play and still get healthy exposure and training against good competition. I think Holland, Belgium, even possibly Scotland would all be good choices, as well as Serie B or the Championship in England. I would not place him in Scandanavia.
Still, its hard to understand his not getting on the field with Monaco. Yes, they have better attacking options. But they have played poorly and Freddy has shown a knack for being a game changing performer who can sub in to a match for someone in poor form. I hope Benfica sells him over the summer.
This blows my mind. I would much rather have Freddy fight for a place on a first-division European team than pull a Landon.
Okay–if Freddy isn’t getting more time or isn’t making the bench at a bigger team at the age of 22 or 23, I understand the reason for concner. But why are we getting mad at a TEENAGER for not owning a starting spot at a club he’s been at for approximately 6 months? Did I think he’d get more time by now? Sure. But this isn’t the end of the world.
And for those of you who insist on making the Freddy-is-actually-26 argument…I have friends who played against him when he was 11. I’m pretty sure they would have noticed if he were actually 18…or 15… I guess Freddy’s mom knew she could get away with it because she knew he’d always look several years younger than he “actually” is. Convenient. She’s an eviler version of Ms. Cleo–she can see the future!
Yes Mike, we should wait at least a decade before being concerned about Freddy’s development. Maybe even until he is 30.
It really doesn’t matter that he is at a young age at this point. It’s the fact that he’s been playing professionally forever.
He has very little soccer intelligence. He still tries moves that only high school players would fall for. He’s bought into all of the hype and now thinks superstar status is his right, rather than something he has to earn. People have fawned over him for far too long. It’s likely he will never be that good. People need to get over it. How many more years are we going to have to listen to the “Freddy is going to be a superstar someday” stories? I stopped caring a long time ago, and if people wanted to do Freddy a favor they would do the same. Right now he is a mediocre to average player (albeit with some flashy moves) who will always be that way if people continue the fawning. Remove the spotlights.
Aristotle:
1. Please point to the part of my post where I propose we wait a decade to be concerned. Please.
I believe I’m proposing we wait until he’s been in one place for more than a year before we start to freak out. Remember, Clint Dempsey wasn’t getting many minutes his first year at Fulham…everyone has to climb the ladder.
2. I don’t know if you’ve read these posts, but it seems like most American fans have given up on Freddy. Does anyone REALLY think he’s the next Pele? People seem to be occupying the opposite extreme, saying this kid is washed up at age 19. Both sides seem equally ridiculous to me.
3. I hope he gets more playing time in the coming months. It is important to his development. BUT, I’m just saying, we should keep in mind that most kids aren’t starting for top-division European clubs at Age 19. AND, considering all of the people so concerned about Freddy’s ego, I’d think they’d see it as extremely beneficial for him to be “put in his place” and forced to fight for his minutes.
We criticize the kid for his sense of entitlement, yet we ourselves think he is entitled to a starting spot? Someone…anyone…please explain how this makes sense.
4. I’m not pretending this season is successful. Of course it’s a disappointment. I’m just tired of people acting like this is the end of the world or the end of this TEENAGER’S career. He’s got many years ahead of him and I’d hate to see him give up on top-level soccer because of a slow start. I hope he buckles down and makes the necessary adjustments. I’d like to see him fight.
Freddy was a child when he became the face of MLS and was playing with a bunch of A-hole adults who knocked him down on and off the field all the time. The experience challenged his character constantly. He had a ton of responsabilty at a tender age. At that age all most of us had to worry about was raking leaves, washing dishes, or cleaning the cat box. He was being watched and critiqued at every move. Not only that but he was expected to be the saviour of a Crap Expansion team in RSL when most kids are crapping their pants over the vocab test they forgot to study for. All the focused attention probably produced a diva at times but mostly I bet he just wanted to be left alone to stay focused and concentrate on the game.
That being said, he’s no Messi, no Bojan, no Kaka but he’s really freaking good, he’s getting a bad rap, he’s one of ours and I don’t care what anybody says. He belongs on the US National Team and he deserves an agent that can put him on a team that needs him and respects him.
Also, I agree that the SBI reporters need to get on the ball and get more info.
Good post, Kofi.
Freddy is all about Freddy. Last I remember this game was a team sport. As soon as Freddy learns to stop “hot-dogging” and actually playing for and with his team on the pitch, then he may very well see more time.
How very American of most fans to assume he deserves time or a start. Freddy has been giving minutes as a sub and apparently has not wowed to coaches. Even if a coach or all Eruo-coaches have a anti-American player bias, they still have to do one thing……….WIN! If the coach thought for one second that Freddy was the answer….. Freddy would be playing.
Way late to comment here, but notice no one mentions the fact that Adu is an extremely selfish player. He can pass into dangerous positions, cross, and hit free kicks, but he would rather try to dribble through five players. You can’t always play against a Dutch Olympic that has sworn off playing defense… The skills he does have are way too rare among US players, but his ego is way too big.
Mike Caramba:
Please point to the part of my post where I said you said we should wait a decade to be concerned. Please.
That was just a general comment based on a lot of comments by others and yourself. It was also meant to be sarcasm. I don’t literally mean a decade.
I really don’t think too many people are saying he’s washed up. That would be extreme, but I think a lot of people have realized that he’s probably not going to get much better, and that he certainly won’t reach anywhere near the potential a lot of people thought he had. I’d like to see his psychological situation addressed. His frame of mind is all wrong and he seems to be a little detached from reality. Someone should have done a better job of protecting him from all of the hype.
Aristotle:
“Yes Mike, we should wait at least a decade before being concerned about Freddy’s development. Maybe even until he is 30.”
Enough said about that.
Don’t get me wrong here–I, too, have concerns about his resolve. But I think most 19-year-olds starting at top-division European clubs either came up through the academy or have put in a couple of years (Pato). Count me as one of those that thinks it’s insane that Adu has spent 4 years hopping around to 4 different clubs. I say he picks a spot, doesn’t go out on loan, and fights for minutes for a couple of years. If, after two seasons (honest, at this point, I’d be satisfied with a season and a half) things aren’t looking up, then I say we start freaking out about his development and open the discussion on bringing him home. This is just my opinion. I think it’s completely reasonable. But, of course, you have every right to disagree.
I read all the comments and the articles because there is usually someone who has the inside track and actually will present the answer to a bit of a puzzle such as this. However, I have not read a post yet that encapsulates all the facts that I present below, so I am hoping to check back in a couple of days, or maybe the author will get an interview with the coach of Monaco.
1) Freddy was wasted at DC United. I played sports at an elite level and there are few coaches who are as good as their athletes, so they are usually looking for someone that can win in spite of the coaching (which is really managing), or who is “under the radar”, so that the coach looks good if the player improves. The nightmare is a player like Freddy, who could actually benefit from top flight coaching, in the sense of instruction, but the coach has nothing to gain personally, as any improvement is “expected” and any failure must be the coach, which they are quick to blame on the player.
2) The MLS is getting better, but was so bad when I watched the games that no one could string together passes of more than 3-4 if going forward, before some errant pass was intercepted. Additionally, they simply fouled Freddy almost everytime he had the ball. He did not have much strength, as his DC coach told him to stop lifting weights (his Brandenton high school regime) and just worry about being quick! Now he looks as though he is lifting again. On an aside, Nowak is now the Under-23? coach? Yikes! He may have been a good player, but its well known in this sports crazy country that fact does not translate into great coaching very often.
3)He succeeds when he plays attacking midfielder and does not do well from a forward or wing position. Everytime he “disappears” it is usually because some coach is going to be “the one” who converts him to these other positions.
4) His passes are wasted in the MLS and usually on the US team, as Bradley has few players, his son is a blind spot (previous post used the term for coaches) and even tried to stick him back at forward again, where he is physically mismatched against even lousy CONCACAF teams.
5) Was only spark against Spain for US until hard foul on instep of foot (it happens). Disappeared against Barbados or someone like that, although a through ball set up only score, it was more due to the effort of the player coming forward, but he was put at forward again, so that should be a lesson to Bradley to give that up.
6) Because he is lefty, the coaches want to stick him at the left wing. It is unimaginative, text-book soccer, much like thinking a left-handed batter will beat out more bunts in major league baseball. Is this really the strategy to win the world series! It does not need to be so in soccer either.
7) His defense is lacking, but I do not know at this point how much of that is lack of playing time against good players. The game at high speed is a thing of beauty and its hard to get enough of that, unless the practice teams are exceptionaly, which I doubt Monaco is such a club that is so deep, as even some of the starters are questionable.
8) He got his shot at Juventus game and delivered! Beautiful move and was going to shoot on goal! I thought maybe his lack of goal scoring, which is the big problem from my limited vantage point, was about to alleviate. In the past he would beat a player, but take too hard a line to the goal and simply get fouled. Freddy seems to have learned to take better angles and was weaving his way through players, instead of expecting them to whiff as he went by. Saw some of that against Brazil in Under-20. Either way, he deserves more time after that (I think he was even at forward).
8) I do not believe the coach was expecting that to happen and is stuck. On the other hand, if that generated some interest, maybe a couple of clubs came calling. It would be realistic for a powerhouse to “loan” Freddy, as he is cheap by their standards and would be an everyday practice player on squads that are good enough for practice to be better training than game time in weaker leagues or on weaker teams in excellent leagues.
I hope someone who really knows all the scoop will respond to the post.
Best,
Pat
AS Monaco site in English with a link to 100% Freddy that he blogs.
link to asm-fc.com