Why Everton FC Have got nothing to lose by taking Edson Buddle on trial

Jan 17 2012 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo

HE MIGHT have a chuckle-inducing name like an old Beano character, and a virtually non-existent profile in English football, but Edson Buddle’s goal record is no joke.

News that Everton are to take the 30-year-old former LA Galaxy striker on trial might have left some supporters underwhelmed, but as ever David Moyes has done his homework.

Even if the New Yorker doesn’t earn himself a move to Merseyside, Moyes’ decision to run the rule over him makes perfect sense.

With 10 caps for the US national team, and a ratio of 42 goals in 87 appearances (almost a goal every two games) for LA Galaxy, there’s enough to suggest he is worth the plane fare from Germany – where Buddle is on a winter break with current side Ingolstadt04.

Buddle had a similar trial at West Ham last month, and a year ago attracted interest from Stoke, Wolves, Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday.

The interest of Mick McCarthy’s Wolves has resurfaced as Buddle scored six goals in 17 for his German second division side, and with his price-tag likely to be a bargain Moyes is doing what he does best.

Everton’s manager has watched him play and score for the US national team against Slovenia in Lublijana last November, and while insiders says the Scot did not return from that scouting mission bursting with enthusiasm about the talent on show, he knows an instinctive goal scorer when he sees one and goals are precisely what he needs.

Major League Soccer analyst Matthew Doyle used his Twitter account to praise Buddle’s ability, even if he was not getting too carried away.

“He has the talent,” he wrote. “He won’t be a world-beater or anything, but I could definitely see him grinding out 6-7 goals by season’s end.

“(Buddle) is big and strong, can hold the ball up well but is just an average passer.

“Big threat in the air, and has above average speed.

“So really, he’s a lot like Saha. Not as good as Louis was at his peak, but better than Saha is right now.

“Negatives are that he can sometimes drift out of games, and he’s VERY streaky. Can also have tunnel vision around the box.”

Doyle believes there could be an issue extending Buddle’s work permit to the UK, but that Everton could benefit from signing him on a short-term deal.

“Work permit would be an issue, yes,” he wrote. “But other teams in EPL are already doing due diligence on him, so it’s not a deal breaker.

“No reason Everton shouldn’t take a look at Buddle, who’s on the prowl for a new club. Could be a very nice short-term fit.”

Buddle formed an impressive partnership with Donovan at the Home Depot Center, culminating in 19 goals in 30 games in 2010 and a call-up to the World Cup.

The 6ft1in striker is represented by the same agent as the Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and the on-loan Galaxy forward Donovan, both fellow Americans.

Even if he were to replicate the success of Brian McBride, who scored four goals in eight on loan for Moyes in 2003, Buddle could be worth considering.