George John Loaned To West Ham
by Drew Epperley on Jan 13, 2012 8:05 AM CST
in Roster Moves
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It is finally official. George John is headed to England on loan with West Ham United for two months. Both clubs announced the deal this morning.
West Ham will have the option to complete a full transfer for John.
"This is an opportunity for George to raise his play to another level," said head coach Schellas Hyndman. "He has the opportunity to spend time with a club rich in tradition, playing in one of the top leagues as they work to earn a promotion back to the Premiership. I have no doubt we will see an even better center back at the end of this period."
One has to wonder about how this "test-drive" will go for John at West Ham. The option to buy on a full transfer is an intriguing part of this deal. If things go well over the next two months the Washington native could be headed back to England in the summer on the transfer, or even land somewhere else too.
Obviously yesterday's draft showed FC Dallas was at least willing to get a player in line to take over for John. Drafting Matt Hedges was a smart move that was much better than the desperate trade to bring in Jeremy Hall.
So a two-month deal that brings John back around March 5. What do you all think about this loan deal?
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Disappointed it isn't an immediate transfer
GJ has proven enough in MLS to warrant a full transfer to a Championship side, and both he and FC Dallas need a real resolution to all this. If John’s preseason form hurts the club’s impressions of him or, God-forbid, he gets hurt and he comes back after a cameo over there I would feel horrible for him.
That said, West Ham is a good fit. Solidly in line for promotion, plenty of history and visibility, and a seemingly clear place in the squad as they seem set to sell James Tomkins (a very similar-dimensioned CB). Hopefully West Ham only insisted on the loan-to-buy approach to hedge their bets on whether they can sell Tomkins.
I’m optimistic this will work out well for him and the club. I assume we won’t hear the cost of the option-to-buy until/if it is enacted. Hopefully it’s over $500,000.
Great for John
and the team. We have all seen him play at a high level here. If he can continue that level there for two months and help WH win a promotion he will surely be bought. It could be a matter of finances. If WH can’t win promotion, they may not have the budget to bring him in?
He gets some great action and training, rather than our preseason. If he comes back and we keep him for a few months, he should be able to relate his experiences back to his future replacement. We all win!
by Timothy Winning Voyles on Jan 13, 2012 8:32 AM CST reply actions
Hoping
He impresses and does not return. Not because I don’t want him back but because I think a transfer is the best situation for all sides. Know the quality of the championship, I think George will impress enough to merit a full transfer.
West Ham is right in the thick of the promotion chase, so you’ve got to think if he can be a part of some good results they’ll keep him around.
www.bigdsoccer.com
-SB Nation Dallas/Ft. Worth-
-FC Dallas-
by Daniel Robertson on Jan 13, 2012 10:51 AM CST reply actions
My only concern for his performance during the loan:
It’s got to be difficult to go straight from his offseason to the thick of a promotion chase, even when the Championship is very much a level that John should be comfortable in.
Historically, when training camp starts, how long has it usually taken John to reach game fitness?
Yay Georgie!
Is this like a text message breakup? We’re still together, but not really sure how things stand? Taking a “cooling off” period? We need some “space”? More of a “it’s not you, it’s me” situation?
Seriously, I’m really happy this kid gets to chase what is obviously a dream of his. Not sure how anyone could begrudge him the chance, regardless of how much it may hurt our local club. Let’s hope he performs well as he carries a bit of the reputations of MLS and FCD on his shoulders. Is this our first player to move directly from FCD to England?
Oh, and don’t forget about the fabled West Ham Academy…maybe John can spend his spare time taking notes and then come back and run the FCD Academy for extra income. Joking again!
All the best, Jorge Juan! You’re one of my faves and will miss watching you play every week. At least FSC/FS+ seems to show a lot of WH when they do air Championship matches.
And
Theres a great chance they’ll be in the Premiership next season.
www.bigdsoccer.com
-SB Nation Dallas/Ft. Worth-
-FC Dallas-
by Daniel Robertson on Jan 13, 2012 11:39 AM CST up reply actions
*sigh*
George is an outstanding player that has made incredible contributions to this team. Unfortunately, his drawn out attempts and the half-measure responses from Europe have been devastating to this team, spawning two separate panic sessions (Hall at midseason 2011, and now in the offseason/draft). (I’m not saying Hedges wasn’t a good pick, but it would have been nice to be able to focus on the right wing problem now.)
All of which leaves me wishing this was an outright transfer, even if at a reduced price, just so this club can move on. I hope his loan period is an unqualified success – partially because I want good things for George, but more so because I want some closure and progress on our spot at center back.
I also think it won’t take any longer than our first game against San Jose to realize Marvin Chavez was as important to the success of this team as George John was.
DallasTilIDie
MAJ, USA
stuck in Afghanistan, a long long way from the stadium formerly known as Pizza Hut Park
by DallasTilIDie on Jan 13, 2012 10:57 PM CST up reply actions
Yup
I can see Chavez netting a couple against us this year, and it will be painful to watch…
by Timothy Winning Voyles on Jan 14, 2012 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
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