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Famous Manchester United trialist will have to drop down leagues to secure a move
Another year, another loan signing; so what happened to America's exciting young prodigy? He signed his first professional contract as a 14 year old for DC United, became the youngest player to appear in America's MLS and the youngest goal scorer ever in the division, he was hugely rated around the world and even had a trial with Manchester United; but now at 20 years old Freddy Adu finds himself having to decide whether to play for Denmark's Odense or Holland's NAC Breda or Gronigen. With all due respect to these teams they are hardly world beaters. So what exactly happened to that 14-year-old with the world at his feet?
Well after rumoured interest from numerous top European clubs throughout his youth, Adu finally left America for Portuguese side Benfica in 2007. Here his skills and personality apparently impressed the coaching staff, and though his Benfica career started slowly with a few substitute appearances, there were plans to increase his involvement with the first team. This however was where things started to go downhill for Adu. By the end of the 2007 season Adu had still not managed to establish himself in Benfica's first team, and as a result he was sent on loan for the following season to French side Monaco. What was supposed to be a move to help him establish himself into Europe however ended up in another season of bench warming frustration.
In all he made 9 appearances for Monaco without scoring any goals. Monaco had an option to buy Adu as part of the loan, but they declined and so Adu returned back to Benfica. Adu has since stated his desire for a future at Benfica, but at the moment it looks like he'll be heading off on loan again in another attempt to establish him into Europe, only this time at a team at the lower end of Europe's footballing hierarchy. So again, what actually happened to put a hole Adu's once very exciting sails?
The answer is likely to be in an unfortunate vicious cycle of adaptation. Looking back at his 2006 trail with Manchester United, one thing that was brought into question was Adu's physical strength. He impressed with skill and ability on the ball but there were some worries if Man Uniteddid actually sign him as to whether he would be able to cope with the physical nature of the English game. He thrived in America's league, but then again the MLS isn't exactly known for its physical demands. Europe however is a lot more competitive and a lot more demanding, in which case Adu's struggles in Europe could well be a problem of adaptation. Without a consistent first team place he hasn't been able accommodate and adapt to the difference in football. The result is inconsistent performances, which ultimately leads to bench frustration as he becomes difficult to rely on. An unfortunate vicious cycle ensues wherein he can't adapt unless he plays regular football, but can't be relied upon for regular football unless he adapts.
With Adu's proposed loan to Denmark's Odense however a solution may well have been found. What Adu undoubtedly needs to progress in Europe is regular first team football. Benfica and Monaco have shown that he can't get that football in Europe's bigger teams at the moment, and so the next logical step is to move down. If he can get week in, week out football at Odense then he can finally start to find his feet in Europe. The standard of football in Denmark is not as high as the big European leagues, but that is actually what he seems to need. The lower standard (without being too low) will give him the opportunity to bring out the flair and skill he showed in America, whilst also getting comfortable with a form of European football. Theoretically if all goes well then he will reignite his potential and the bigger European clubs will start knocking on his door once more.
Another year, another loan signing; so what happened to America's exciting young prodigy? He signed his first professional contract as a 14 year old for DC United, became the youngest player to appear in America's MLS and the youngest goal scorer ever in the division, he was hugely rated around the world and even had a trial with Manchester United; but now at 20 years old Freddy Adu finds himself having to decide whether to play for Denmark's Odense or Holland's NAC Breda or Gronigen. With all due respect to these teams they are hardly world beaters. So what exactly happened to that 14-year-old with the world at his feet?
Well after rumoured interest from numerous top European clubs throughout his youth, Adu finally left America for Portuguese side Benfica in 2007. Here his skills and personality apparently impressed the coaching staff, and though his Benfica career started slowly with a few substitute appearances, there were plans to increase his involvement with the first team. This however was where things started to go downhill for Adu. By the end of the 2007 season Adu had still not managed to establish himself in Benfica's first team, and as a result he was sent on loan for the following season to French side Monaco. What was supposed to be a move to help him establish himself into Europe however ended up in another season of bench warming frustration.
In all he made 9 appearances for Monaco without scoring any goals. Monaco had an option to buy Adu as part of the loan, but they declined and so Adu returned back to Benfica. Adu has since stated his desire for a future at Benfica, but at the moment it looks like he'll be heading off on loan again in another attempt to establish him into Europe, only this time at a team at the lower end of Europe's footballing hierarchy. So again, what actually happened to put a hole Adu's once very exciting sails?
The answer is likely to be in an unfortunate vicious cycle of adaptation. Looking back at his 2006 trail with Manchester United, one thing that was brought into question was Adu's physical strength. He impressed with skill and ability on the ball but there were some worries if Man Uniteddid actually sign him as to whether he would be able to cope with the physical nature of the English game. He thrived in America's league, but then again the MLS isn't exactly known for its physical demands. Europe however is a lot more competitive and a lot more demanding, in which case Adu's struggles in Europe could well be a problem of adaptation. Without a consistent first team place he hasn't been able accommodate and adapt to the difference in football. The result is inconsistent performances, which ultimately leads to bench frustration as he becomes difficult to rely on. An unfortunate vicious cycle ensues wherein he can't adapt unless he plays regular football, but can't be relied upon for regular football unless he adapts.
With Adu's proposed loan to Denmark's Odense however a solution may well have been found. What Adu undoubtedly needs to progress in Europe is regular first team football. Benfica and Monaco have shown that he can't get that football in Europe's bigger teams at the moment, and so the next logical step is to move down. If he can get week in, week out football at Odense then he can finally start to find his feet in Europe. The standard of football in Denmark is not as high as the big European leagues, but that is actually what he seems to need. The lower standard (without being too low) will give him the opportunity to bring out the flair and skill he showed in America, whilst also getting comfortable with a form of European football. Theoretically if all goes well then he will reignite his potential and the bigger European clubs will start knocking on his door once more.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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