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Altidore, an American abroad
(FIFA.com) Monday 28 July 2008
Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini has splashed out $10 million for 18-year-old American striker Jozy Altidore, making the teenager the most expensive US export in history. A veteran of every level of his country's youth national team, the Haitian-American powerhouse has bags of pace, power and a killer's eye for important goals.
Having scored 15 times in 37 games for Red Bull New York, Altidore is considered one of the hottest properties in the American game. Before he lines up for the Yellow Submarine in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, though, young Jozy will join the US Olympic team as they hunt a first-ever medal in Beijing.
He sat down to talk club and country with FIFA.com from his new home in sunny Spain.
FIFA.com: How does it feel to finally be in Spain, after your record American transfer?
Jozy Altidore: It's crazy. There was all this talk and I was caught in the middle. One minute you're going and the deal is definitely on and then the next minute it's definitely off and then it flips around over and over. I couldn't be more excited about being here at Villarreal. To be playing in Spain is a really exciting thing for me as a young player.
Villarreal coach Pellegrini is known as somebody who sees quality in players that other coaches might miss. Have you had a chance to sit with him and discuss your role at the club next year?
With training several times a day and getting adjusted to a new place, I haven't had a lot of time to sit down with the coach [Pellegrini], but he spoke to me when I arrived and told me that when I finish up with the Olympics this August, he wants me to come back to Villarreal and join up with the team. That's a good sign and gives me something to look forward to.
As you say, you've already had a chance for a few training sessions. Is the level different from Major League Soccer?
It's already become pretty obvious to me that soccer here in Spain is always about possession, about keeping the ball and unbalancing the other team by moving it around. I knew the Spanish league would be technical, but it's becoming more and more apparent to me just how technical it is. When we play squad games in training, the emphasis is always on keeping possession of the ball. I think this is a good thing for me but it will take some time to adjust.
And the language? How's your Spanish at the moment?
I've been working on my Spanish and it's getting better all the time. It could still use a little polishing, but I'm going to keep trying.
It must be a thrill to have landed at a club that will be playing in the Champions League next year, after finishing second in La Liga last year.
I'm thrilled to take my development to the next level and raise the profile of American players in Europe.
http://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/news...merican+abroad
(FIFA.com) Monday 28 July 2008
Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini has splashed out $10 million for 18-year-old American striker Jozy Altidore, making the teenager the most expensive US export in history. A veteran of every level of his country's youth national team, the Haitian-American powerhouse has bags of pace, power and a killer's eye for important goals.
Having scored 15 times in 37 games for Red Bull New York, Altidore is considered one of the hottest properties in the American game. Before he lines up for the Yellow Submarine in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, though, young Jozy will join the US Olympic team as they hunt a first-ever medal in Beijing.
He sat down to talk club and country with FIFA.com from his new home in sunny Spain.
FIFA.com: How does it feel to finally be in Spain, after your record American transfer?
Jozy Altidore: It's crazy. There was all this talk and I was caught in the middle. One minute you're going and the deal is definitely on and then the next minute it's definitely off and then it flips around over and over. I couldn't be more excited about being here at Villarreal. To be playing in Spain is a really exciting thing for me as a young player.
Villarreal coach Pellegrini is known as somebody who sees quality in players that other coaches might miss. Have you had a chance to sit with him and discuss your role at the club next year?
With training several times a day and getting adjusted to a new place, I haven't had a lot of time to sit down with the coach [Pellegrini], but he spoke to me when I arrived and told me that when I finish up with the Olympics this August, he wants me to come back to Villarreal and join up with the team. That's a good sign and gives me something to look forward to.
As you say, you've already had a chance for a few training sessions. Is the level different from Major League Soccer?
It's already become pretty obvious to me that soccer here in Spain is always about possession, about keeping the ball and unbalancing the other team by moving it around. I knew the Spanish league would be technical, but it's becoming more and more apparent to me just how technical it is. When we play squad games in training, the emphasis is always on keeping possession of the ball. I think this is a good thing for me but it will take some time to adjust.
And the language? How's your Spanish at the moment?
I've been working on my Spanish and it's getting better all the time. It could still use a little polishing, but I'm going to keep trying.
It must be a thrill to have landed at a club that will be playing in the Champions League next year, after finishing second in La Liga last year.
I'm thrilled to take my development to the next level and raise the profile of American players in Europe.
http://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/news...merican+abroad