Everton FC News: Everton facing battle to extend Landon Donovan’s stay

Mar 9 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton FC News: EVERTON face a battle to extend Landon Donovan’s stay with the American keen to spend another month at Goodison.

Donovan’s 10-week loan spell from LA Galaxy is due to expire after this Saturday’s Premier League visit to Birmingham City.

The United States international scored on his farewell appearance at Goodison in the 5-1 win over Hull City on Sunday, after which the home supporters implored Everton to “sign him up”.

David Moyes spoke after the game of respecting the wishes of MLS side Galaxy, who at present expect the player to return to America next week.

But Donovan has pleaded for his career in England to be extended a further four weeks after proving a huge success at Everton, and believes there is still a possibility.

“I would say there is a chance I could stay a little longer,” said the forward. “There are a lot of factors involved, obviously, we will see what the Galaxy want.

“Logistically it’s harder than just saying I want to stay or I am going to stay. I think we will have a lot more info this week.

“I have told the Galaxy what I want, they know what’s going on and I speak to my manager there fairly often and at this point it is an Everton and LA Galaxy conversation.

“Both clubs know how I feel, which is that I would like to stay, though I can’t end the season here, I’d have to go back April 15 at the latest.

“If that can be worked out great, if not then the Galaxy are my team and I’m very grateful for the chance I had here.”

However, LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has dismissed suggestions Donovan’s stay could be extended.

“We're not interested,” said Arena. “Landon will be back here March 15. We're being consistent with everything we've said all along.”

But the situation is further complicated by a dispute between the MLS Players’ Union and the league chiefs over payments, which has currently reached an impasse that could yet result in a players’ strike.

That would delay that start of the new MLS season and Donovan’s required return to the United States, although that could change on a game-by-game basis.

And of his imminent departure, the 28-year-old said: “It would be bittersweet either way.

“I’d like to go back home and start with my team-mates, I miss them, because I have played with them for three, four, five years in LA, if I leave here I will be excited to go home, but it would be sad to leave here.”

Donovan made an influential bow in the 2-2 draw at Arsenal in January and has gone on to score twice in 12 appearances.

And he believes he has become a better player as a result of his Everton experience.

“I’ve learned so much,” said the American.

“The biggest thing from a professional standpoint is to keep yourself going everyday because physically it’s draining and mentally and emotionally as well, and I have a lot of respect for the Lampards and Gerrards, who do it day in day out, who just keep going, even Bainesy here, who plays every week.

“But I’ve not been surprised. I believe in my ability and what I do and I am at a point in my life where I know what I have to give and I bring that out of myself a lot more often than I ever did.

“If I do that, I know I am going to be successful, so when I think back, it’s been great, there have been some incredible results and performances but I know I am capable of that.

“Being at Everton has absolutely improved me as a player.

“It’s impossible not to. I have learned a lot technically, tactically, how to keep myself motivated.”