Blackburn accept $4 million bid for Friedel

                                                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

Brad Friedel's successful run with Blackburn is set to end after Rovers accepted a $4 million transfer bid for his services from an undisclosed English club (a source has confirmed to SBI that it is Aston Villa).

The transfer is contingent on Blackburn being able to sign a replacement, with Tottenham's Paul Robinson a leading candidate to be that replacement.

We discussed Friedel's potential move to Villa last week so let me ask again. Do you think it's a good move? Are you surprised to see Friedel sold for such a small fee? Could Friedel be ready to play one more year in the EPL before heading to MLS?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[brett]

i think friedel proved last season that he is more then capable of playing another season there.... the guy is class...

[anotherbodymurdered]

I fully support this, as it means we'll get to see Aston Villa: My Two Brads

[Johnny]

Considering his age I think 4 million is fair. I would have loved to see him go to a contender b/c he is that good!

[Jon E]

I know that Friedel's getting toward the end of his career, but I'm a little surprised at how low the offer is, especially with the weak dollar. Didn't Fulham pay $3m for Dempsey? I like Dempsey, but it seems like Friedel is a more proven and valuable commodity.

[sprool11]

It's Villa!

[andy b.]

Good for Friedel, but I remain unconvinced it's good for Guzan. I think Guzan needs to be getting lots of good PT; "mentoring" from Friedel is great, but not nearly as good as PT.

[Betinho]

It's nice to see the-guy-who-owns-the-Browns-and-Villa getting some Americans on the roster. (Hey, how about Donavan as a Villan too.)

[combo breaker karma]

haha what a nice picture, makes it look like friedel is pumped about the move.

i wanted him to get out of blackburn though, because of mark hughes departure and possibly santa cruz's as well.

awesome opposum.

[DL]

That is an absolute steal. Friedel is still one of the top 5 keepers in the EPL, and for that price with maybe 2 good years left? Unbelievable.

[MM]

I definitely don't think it is good for Guzan. He is at a point in his career where he needs to be playing.

[Eric]

Villa is headed in a good direction...and will be much more of a contender for European spots and silverware in the future than Blackburn.

This is a good move for them, and for Brad. If they somehow can land Bentley too, they'll be a formidable side next year.

[Paul Lorinczi]

I am telling you guys.

This move is for his future after playing between the posts. I am sure that he has some kind of relationship with Randy Lerner as they are both from Cleveland.

If you dig a little deeper, I bet that is the story behind this move. I am sure coaching will play a big part.

[brett]

andy b- true, PT would be most valueable for Guzan atm, but look at it from Villa's standpoint.... they just got a young unproven (in the EPL) GK (guzan), so picking up a GK who will obviously start but also mentor your young GK and be out in a year or 2 (due to age) would be incredibly valueable.... Guzan doesnt HAVE to get PT immediately as he's not going to get the starting spot for the US over Howard... let the guy grow and then take over the reigns

[Betinho]

Paul - Friedel's going to coach the Browns? now it makes more sense.

[Igor]

Sorry to be off-topic, but how about that EPL Fantasy League, Ives?

[TheDreamTeam]

from a Yahoo sports article on NFL owners that shows Lerner is more interested in his global football team (thought it fits since I too think Friedel is going to Villa):
Randy Lerner seems far more concerned with Aston Villa, the soccer team he owns in the English Premier League, and the frequent trips to London that gig necessitates than business regarding the Browns. Perhaps because his late father, Al, was such a prominent figure in Cleveland – or perhaps because it’s, you know, Cleveland – the younger Lerner doesn’t appear to share the same enthusiasm for the home of the Browns. He also recently refuted a rumor that he’s moving to London full time to be Villa’s CEO.

[Dominghosa]

I agree with Brett.
Guzan will play in reserves, get acquainted with the club, the city, the country, and the league.
Plus, being able to be mentored by the best American goalkeeper alive.
It is likely that Friedel will move on after next season and play for the Crew in 2010, giving way to a much more ready Guzan at Villa.
Great move for all involved. Though the only one I see being jipped here is actually Friedel, who really should be playing for a team that is a contender in the English League or another top league. The guy deserves to be on top somewhere.

[kpugs]

Friedel probably has more than one year playing at this level left in him. When he does come back he'll most likely immediately become the best keeper in MLS.

[betinho]

By the by...Guzan's work permit still has to be sorted out. That's not a certainty.

[emilio]

Thats actually a very large fee for a 38 year old goalkeeper, he has at most 2 years left in the top flight, did you except a $ 10 million offer?

[andy b.]

brett, Dominghosa--
I agree it's a very good move from Villa's perspective, and it's not the end of the world or anything for Guzan. But I do maintain it would be BETTER for Guzan to be starting. From the Nats perspective, it doesn't make much difference-- you're right that it's going to be Howard's job for the foreseeable future anyway.

[Jacob]

Since nobody's made the old joke yet, I will:

Great for Guzan cause now he has a mentor guaranteed to make sure he shaves his head.

[brett]

if Adu wasnt needed by the USMN i would say that growing another year at Benfica would be best.... but he is needed by the USMN and i would rather see him get PT over Training....

Guzan is in no need of PT at the moment as he wont be seeing time over howard... so there is no rush to see him playing... reserves and tutoring is going to be more beneficial for him in the long run

[William the Terror]

Does Guzan understand that, as an American keeper in England, he has a moral obligation to shave his head so that he looks like all the other American keepers? Maybe that's the first point on which he will be "mentored."

[William the Terror]

@ Jacob

Damn!! Sorry, dude. I must have been composing while you were posting, because I didn't see your comment. You were first. Hat's off to you (so that maybe I can shave my own bonehead).

[DL]

Emilio: $10 mil = about 5 mil pounds. Yes, I would expect something in that range. We're talking about a starting goalkeeper who can still compete at the top of his game day in and day out. Furthermore, it leaves Blackburn with a huge hole that, in order to fill, they will have to spend more than $4 mil.

[betinho]

Apparently in Norway it's the opposite for US goalkeepers - have you seen pictures of Tony Perkins lately? He looks like a freakin viking!

[Paul]

Ives is way out front of Soccer America, which still has Friedel at Blackburn.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/soccer_america/07/23/friedel/index.html

[Andy Carpenter]

Brad is a terrific keeper, but I think his transfer value is severely limited because of his accent.
;-)

[Jacob]

On a serious note, how did the head shaving thing get started?

[Erik]

Andy,

Sports Illustrated had the story this morning...

[Tbisgrove]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1038076/Robinson-ends-White-Hart-pain-agreeing-3-5m-deal-join-Ince-Blackburn.html?ITO=1490 has Paul Robinson signed for 3.5mil pounds off news from Tottenham... So looks like the deal is done on both ends for Blackburn.

[CD]

Betinho,

Anthony(Tony) Perkins aka Norman Bates is playing soccer in Norway no way? The Norwegian soccer players better be careful showering in the locker room :)

http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_movies_actors/film_images/Psycho_Anthony_Perkins_as_Norman_Bates.jpg

[Jon E]

Brett says: "Guzan doesnt HAVE to get PT immediately as he's not going to get the starting spot for the US over Howard... let the guy grow and then take over the reigns."
-----
Irrelevant moment of diction policing: May I make a general plea for the use of "reins" in this context? It's a horse-riding term, not a monarchical.

Slightly more useful point: I think, Brett, what you say is probably true only if you're looking at it from the perspective of a USMNT fan. Sure, we can rely on Howard for at least a couple years and probably a couple World Cups. But in terms of his club career (the one that pays his salary), Guzan would probably want to be assured of some playing time precisely because with Howard in front of him he won't be able to point to as many national team performances as a way of impressing scouts. Also, if he doesn't get into matches much at AV, there's a risk of rustiness, and then after a year or two years, AV could replace Friedel with somebody from the outside who has been getting a lot of playing time.

And, IMHO, I'd say that it's probably better for the national team to have our #2 keeper getting good playing time at a high level in case Howard gets injured or has a slump.

Still in all, a move to AV seems likely to help Guzan more than hurt him (in addition to his bank account, I mean). So let's hope it all pans out.

[Jon E]

... not a monarchical ONE.

Sigh.

[Randomher0723]

Any truth to the rumors that another Canadian team will be announced at the All Star game? Montreal or Vancouver??

[Isaac Mundia]

Of all the transfers that surprised me this year, next to Altidore's transfer, This is the most surprising. I thought Friedel was to old to be getting transferred to other world class teams but i geuss i was wrong. good luck brad. you served us well in 2002.

[Igor]

So Blackburn just spent 1.5 million pounds downgrading their goalie? Great work guys.

[Zero]

OK, here's the deal from a Rovers supporter as we've been monitoring this for a few weeks now.

Friedel had 2 years remaining on his Rovers contract. Villa, aside from offering at least 2M GBP (possibly 2.75 with add-ons) for someone 37 years old, was willing to both give him a 3rd year of his contract AND double his wages. When presented with both of those factors, how do you say no to a huge final payday? Coupled with a new manager, its not a bad move for Brad to go on. The goal, also as we understand, is for "little Brad" Guzan to take over from Brad at the end of his career. (FYI, for the person questioning the transfer fee, this will be a record for someone his age)

Yes, there were news stories about how Friedel asked to leave. Speculation continues if leaked specifically to lessen the (supporter) loss to Rovers, or make it seem more possible for the deal to move forward. We'll see.

Rovers forums are understandably mixed, but generally supportive of Brad given all he has done for the club. I know we'd welcome him back as a coach in the future.

On a personal level, I wish Friedel the best of luck, except when he plays against us.

As for a replacement, again more discussion. Scuttlebutt says that Ince wants Robinson - he has other targets, but Robinson is his #1 man. It is further complicated by the separate transfer saga of David Bentley (also a Spurs target). Personally, I think Rovers can do better than Robinson, but we could do far worse than an England International as well.

Cheers to all.

[CD]

Thanks for the additional information Rover fan Zero. Interesting about the contract extension. That to me is the most extraordinary part of the deal. A three year contract for a 37 year old player is unheard of (that Yoga regiment is really paying off). Not good for Guzan if he has to wait until 2011 a level for his shot. Maybe they can send him out on a loan deal.

[papa bear]

absolute steal for Villa. Friedel is still one of the top 5 in the EPL as his stunning performances last year can attest.

Not sure what that means for Guzan yet. If he is the #2 there is no way they are going to loan him since he wouldn't be available if Friedel gets injured.
It's just up to Guzan to beat out Friedel at this point. If he's able to do that, it's all the better for the USMNT.

[paul Lorinczi]

Life after Soccer for Friedel.

Have you guys heard of his Academy in Cleveland - PSA?

He has invested a lot of money into PSA and it could become a satellite academy for Aston Villa. It is the other residency program in the US.

Players at the academy are scouted globally - not just the US.

[Drew-ROC]

Ives-

Does Guzan have the 75% of games to automatically qualify for a work permit?

If not, how does he get an exception if Friedel is being brought in as the starter?

[betinho]

oops-Troy not Anthony or Tony.

Zero - great info. Thanks. The deal looks all the better now for Friedel. He deserves to be breaking records.

Paula - thanks for connecting the dots on your earlier post. That Cleveland connection makes more sense :)

[emilio]

He is a 38 year old keeper, they made out well getting $ 4 million dollars for him, tell me what 38 year old keeper has commanded a 10 million dollar move???

[SonicDeathMonkey]

Randomher, quit reading MLSRumors. The Don himself says there is no expansion anytime soon.

[brett]

jon e- dangit, wrong word entirely... how could i miss that :-\

[brett]

Jon e- also i see your point in wanting our #2 getting PT, but honestly, allowing him to grow and adapt in a new and harder league without having the weight of a team's success on his shoulders for a season (or 2 depending on friedel's career choices) would be more beneficial.... he gets to learn from one of our country's best and adapt to his new scenery... Guzan has MANY MANY MANY years to continue playing and growing as a keeper, let him slowly adapt and not rush him (which could cause him to fail).... but then again that is just my opinion

[Greg]

Speaking of World Cup 2002 veterans, Cletus has started a trial with IK Start.

A nice big pic of him with Goodson...

http://fotball.adressa.no/multimedia/archive/00075/Clint_6_75824a.jpg

[Mike_D]

I think a year in the reserves and just learning from Friedel in training could be a very good introduction to Europe for Guzan. O'Neill has said it would have been nice to get Guzan in January to get him used to the country and the routine so I think they're looking long term with him. He's only 23, which is like a baby in keeper years and he is still pretty raw too.

I just look down the road in a couple years, Guzan will be 25-26 with 2 years of coaching and learning from Friedel, with a potential 12-15 years of starting in Europe if everything works out.