Well that was the sentiment of some of the emails I have received since it was revealed that Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark had received interest from Rennes in France.
Clearly as one of the best U.S. players in the tournament and with all the eyes that the squad received after knocking off Spain this bid and attention from other clubs seemed inevitable.
Striker Charlie Davies also received interest and these are just the ones we know about.
You don’t think that Landon Donovan’s agent didn’t receive a call or two? Think again.
According to Sky Sports, Clark has been linked to clubs in England, Italy and Spain but now is a target of Rennes.
Rennes is the current club of U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra. According to the Sky Sports Article here is what Clark’s representative Manuel Quintana told Sky….
“Rennes have asked for information.”
Now I have not hear of the names of clubs in England, Spain and Italy that have shown interest in the 26 year old midfielder and who knows the legitimacy of these rumors but no one at the Houston Dynamo has heard from Rennes nor MLS at this moment according to Dynamo CEO Chris Canetti.
Clark is out of contract after this year.
This is a feather in the cap for the Dynamo but their young talent like Clark, Holden and Cameron could be targets in the future for other clubs and the challenge for the Dynamo will be to retain their services or make deals that can benefit their future.
What do you think of Rennes coming in for Ricardo Clark?
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Ricardo Clark should be let to spread his wings and fly away…I mean the MLS just doesn’t pay good enough wages so I wouldn’t blame him for wanting to leave.
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I don’t think he’ll leave now, but January is a different matter.
So basically, MLS is just a farm organization for players to hang out at till something better comes along.
Suprised it took so long for someone to notice Rico, the amount of ground he covers is insane. No hard feelings Rico, just make us proud over there and wearing the red white and blue. How can anyone question him if he does move the money alone is worth it (nobody would turn down a raise with how much he will prolly receive). Sad fact but MLS is just not up there with most of Europe, maybe one day if they can ever start spending real money on players, then we might actually get to see our talented pups play there whole career.
FOREVER ORANGE
The money may just be too great. Though, if the Dynamo and Rico’s agent sit down to talk contract extension sooner rather than later, then maybe Rennes doesn’t happen.
I’ve travelled to the region. Its a beautiful place to be. And the money would probably be better than what he’s getting today. I would hate to see him go, but I couldn’t blame him either. It may be a wonderful opportunity.
Rico deserves to be earning a real payday. His D has been top of the line. Maybe the Dynamo can keep him if they sit down and talk in earnest, but he has to think about what is best for him and his game. He’s not as good going forward as he could be and perhaps another year in orange would improve his stock. I’m just pleased to see his talents in the National colors.
Can blame Rico if he does leave after all this is a business and a job for him . Best wishes to him if he can make cash more abroad. He I am sure will continue to give of his best while a Dynamo and that is all we can ask . Someone will have to step up . He could play 5 years abroad and set his family for life financially. Go Dynamo !!
All western hemisphere leagues are only farm systems that export their best players to Europe. Of course there are a few exceptions, i.e. Christian “El Chaco” Gimenez from Pachuca, Donovan (not that he hasn’t tried to leave), and Brian Ching. Most players dream of going to Europe to play and some even take paycuts in order to prove themselves and eventually get noticed by bigger clubs. In the end though I really hope Clark doesn’t leave. By the way nice win by the Dynamo against Austin sadly the video didn’t work but SportsAnimal did a great job in commentating.
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Glenn- If Clark has chance to go to top flight club overseas, go for it.
However, This mind set perpetuated by some that everthing ” European” is football utopia is a pile of rubbish.
Ask some of the MLS guys like Joe Cannon, Zack Thornton,Nate Jaqua,to name a few, that the pitch isn’t always greener “over there”
MLS with it’s ever expanding soccer specific stadiums , air travel,& first class hotels vs. hours long dusty bus rides to pitches in less than stellar shape,questionable accomodations,& anti- American sentiments in some foreign leagues.
MLS gets short changed by a lot of the soccer elitist’s of America
Rico deserves the chance. I mean everybody saw this coming. He’s an excellent player! I’m so happy for him, he’s giving the Dynamo 100%. So we can all show some type of support and gratitude. Thanks RICO! I’m pretty sure he’ll get get offers! Dont’ see him playing in some smaller league like Austria, or Switzerland.
I agree with the “don’t go to Europe just to play in Europe” sentiment. Why go to…I’m sure I’ll offend someone with this…why go to the Czech league or the Austrian league when the caliber of MLS is improving so much that the talent levels are close to equal now? In Rico’s case, MLS isn’t quite there with the Ligue 1. After the EPL, La Liga, the Bundesliga, and Serie A, the French league may be the next best league in Europe (though Dutch league supporters have a strong counter-argument to that). Exhibit A: Carlos Bocanegra has improved remarkably since moving to Rennes.
Great point above about all European leagues not being the same. The French league, while not as prolific as some of its big name counterparts, still may offer quite a challenge to an American who wants to see where he fits in Europe.
Of course, if he goes there to ride the bench, then it becomes a mistake (Exhibit B: Freddy Adu). But hopefully Rico and his people have a better idea of where they would fit in something like that.
MLS is a better league than many around the world.
These choices are about ambition, testing yourself in another soccer culture . These are personal choices that I would never hold against any player.
MLS and the Dynamo at this point have not heard anything from Rennes or an agent on this matter with Rico Clark.
If Rico gets an offer that will help him grow as a footballer then he needs to take it. In cases like these I have to keep repeating “country over club” over and over. Losing Rico would be a blow to the Dynamo and as a Dynamo fan I would be gutted to lose him, but he needs to do what’s best for his career and his family and if that means playing in France or England or whatever, then so be it.
The fact that international teams want MLS players means it is a league on the up!
Some players will be lost. Deal with it.
To have the same Purchasing Power Parity (spending money after taxes and cost of living) Clark would need to make the equivelant of 390,000 US$ (I’m using US and French averages for both taxes and COL).
It actually doesn’t make sense for most MLS players to go to Europe just for the money, as in Europe taxes and cost of living are that much higher.