Freddy Adu

[ugen64]

he's overhyped because in the US (I live here by the way), pro sports teams (NFL, basketball, baseball, etc.) never sign players under 18, and even good 18 year olds are seen as amazing.

so to the American media and to casual watchers at home, a decent 15/16 year old player is phenomenal.

this guy is nowhere near the potential of Walcott, Rooney at 16, etc.... especially since a "wonderkid" in the MLS is kind of like a "wonderkid" in League Two... not very impressive.

the kid can't even make the senior US national team - I can't see but 1 or 2 players from that team right now who would be anywhere nearly good enough for Arsenal (Landon Donovan, maybe, but he couldn't make the Leverkusen 1st team squad either...).

 

[JML]

Adu has 2 assists (2 games, 1 start) so far this year. I didn't see the game, as I don't watch the MLS, but one of my friends who lives in Virginia said he looked impressive.

he's overhyped because in the US (I live here by the way), pro sports teams (NFL, basketball, baseball, etc.) never sign players under 18, and even good 18 year olds are seen as amazing.

That's because there are rules against it.

this guy is nowhere near the potential of Walcott, Rooney at 16, etc.... especially since a "wonderkid" in the MLS is kind of like a "wonderkid" in League Two... not very impressive.

How do you know he doesn't have "near the potential of Walcott"? We've not even seen Walcott play, and Adu only started 16 games last year.

 

[JML]

this is a cracking goal mms://a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.aka...lays/archive10/100505_dcursl_adu_goal_384.wmv

Why is the field lines like that ?
I firstly thought it was a NFL match......

Some MLS teams play their games in NFL team's stadiums.

 

[Mr. Hotshot]

Freddy Adu is over-hyped but he's earned that. There isn't much youth talent in the U.S and that what makes this guy so damn special. He's a very smart boy too because he could have gone to Chelsea or Manure 2-3 years ago but choose to stay home to be close with his mom.

 

[longrufus]

How do you know he doesn't have "near the potential of Walcott"? We've not even seen Walcott play

Walcott was playing regularly for Southampton in the Championship before we bought him, so a lot of people including myself have seen quite a bit of Walcott. And not to mention the kid has been dubbed the next big thing for a long time. Adu is playing in a league, which would have a similar if not lower standard of football. Compare this to Walcott who was up against seasoned professionals in a style of football which is one of the toughest in the world. Adu may well have talent, but is simply massivly over rated.

 

[longrufus]

Freddy Adu is over-hyped but he's earned that. There isn't much youth talent in the U.S and that what makes this guy so damn special. He's a very smart boy too because he could have gone to Chelsea or Manure 2-3 years ago but choose to stay home to be close with his mom.

Contradiction. You cant say he has earned his hype when your next point is there isn't much youth talent in the U.S. In fact quite the opposite is true, when there is a lack of talent, mediocracy is applauded. How exactly did he earn his hype, did he outperform other 16 year old nothings in america? Im not saying Adu is a bad player, but simply sticks out. He has talent, but i would rather base this on his performances at a higher level.

 

[burnsjed]

This guy had a ton of hype even before he kicked a single ball in the MLS or in fact had even signed for anyone.
Doesn't mean he won't fulfill that potential, but personally I think he would have done better going to Europe playing with other players of a similar age and being exposed to better set-ups and coaches, but that is just my personal feeling.

 

[Football Ninja]

yo

How do you know he doesn't have "near the potential of Walcott"? We've not even seen Walcott play

Walcott was playing regularly for Southampton in the Championship before we bought him, so a lot of people including myself have seen quite a bit of Walcott. And not to mention the kid has been dubbed the next big thing for a long time. Adu is playing in a league, which would have a similar if not lower standard of football. Compare this to Walcott who was up against seasoned professionals in a style of football which is one of the toughest in the world. Adu may well have talent, but is simply massivly over rated.

I used to be an Adu fan then I saw him and thought.... hmmmm
The fact that he isnt lifting up trees in the MLS is kinda worrying. As for Walcott, Tord grip mentioned his name 1st when talking about future England stars of 2010. Ahead of Anton Ferdinand, Reo Coker and a few others.

If Adu played against the likes of Millwall he would be back in his mothers arms nursing a broken leg. If he really wants to prove the doubters then sign for a prem league team next season and then we will see whose the best.....

 

[Football Ninja]

in other words long rufus is spot on

 

[osugunner]

The reason he stayed was to finish up school, he was on an accelerated program to graduate high school early. To say that the American youth have no talent is a ridiculous statement and not even worth a reply. The fact is that Adu put his family before himself which in my book is very respectable. The kid is still young and playing in an underrated league. Sure the MLS isn't a top European league but it's certainly not a push over. The kid has caught the eye of many top clubs throughout Europe so he's got to be doing something right.

 

[Saville]

since when do footballers play on a pitch like that :shock: how confusing would that be

 

[vanderguy]

I am from nigeria,but live in usa,personally i think i am better than adu,i am 15.i will be travelling to london this summer to see if i could join the arsenal academy.the american media is overhyping this old man because,they dont usually see person that is talented trick wise.

 

[Blackjag]

where from niga are u from, i'm nigerian too

 

[JML]

Re: yo

If Adu played against the likes of Millwall he would be back in his mothers arms nursing a broken leg.

:roll: Why? Because he's not English?

 

[JML]

Walcott was playing regularly for Southampton in the Championship before we bought him, so a lot of people including myself have seen quite a bit of Walcott. And not to mention the kid has been dubbed the next big thing for a long time. Adu is playing in a league, which would have a similar if not lower standard of football. Compare this to Walcott who was up against seasoned professionals in a style of football which is one of the toughest in the world. Adu may well have talent, but is simply massivly over rated.

Okay. And what exactly has Theo done in the Championship that Adu hasn't done in the MLS?

 

[vanderguy]

where from niga are u from, i'm nigerian too

i lived in port harcourt before moving to usa.

 

[Canuck]

Walcott was playing regularly for Southampton in the Championship before we bought him, so a lot of people including myself have seen quite a bit of Walcott. And not to mention the kid has been dubbed the next big thing for a long time. Adu is playing in a league, which would have a similar if not lower standard of football. Compare this to Walcott who was up against seasoned professionals in a style of football which is one of the toughest in the world. Adu may well have talent, but is simply massivly over rated.

Okay. And what exactly has Theo done in the Championship that Adu hasn't done in the MLS?

I actually watched one of the MLS season openers a couple weeks ago and was quite shocked (not particularly in a good way) by the quality of play. Particularly the defending. Now I'm not saying the league is junk, but I would have to rate the Championship head and shoulders above the MLS still. Faster, tougher, all round more testing of a players fitness and skill.

 

[JML]

I actually watched one of the MLS season openers a couple weeks ago and was quite shocked (not particularly in a good way) by the quality of play. Particularly the defending. Now I'm not saying the league is junk, but I would have to rate the Championship head and shoulders above the MLS still. Faster, tougher, all round more testing of a players fitness and skill.

Other than teams like New England, Dallas, and Kansas City, there's not much quality in the MLS. I could've told you that. The Championship is tougher and the players are technically better, but judging by the 9 or 10 MLS games I've seen in the past 2 years, and by the occasional Championship game I see on Setanta, it's certainly not faster.

 

[Canuck]

The match I watched was Chicago and Dallas.
Supposedly two of the better (?) teams in the league. Of course it was a season opener so perhaps they've yet to get themselves into match fitness.

Now the MLS is certainly heads above the USL, and it's the best thing we've got cooking in North America.

 

[koivu]

I've seen a bit of both the USL and MLS over the years. I tried to get into both but just couldn't do it. I do find both quite slow, even compared to the Championship here.

I have not seen Adu play at all but, like most youngsters, I won't believe the hype just yet. I have seen Theo play and he's got a shot at being something special but he's still got a ways to go. Arsène knows, though.