EPL Rumors: Seven Reasons Everton is the Best Fit for Landon Donovan

While Landon Donovan probably can't leave the MLS after league commissioner Don Garber put a "not for sale" tag on him, there has been lots of speculation as to where the American midfielder might go if the situation changes.

Among the clubs that have been mentioned are Everton, Manchester City, and even Chelsea—all of them in the English Premier League.

But there is little question that Everton is the best option for the 28-year-old winger.

Here are seven reasons why:

The Fans (and Players) Embraced Him

Not many Americans can say they've been fan favorites at a European club.

Landon Donovan is one of them.

With his stellar play and tireless work rate, Donovan brought Everton fans to their feet and even had them chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!"

The Goodison Park faithful were sad to see the Yank go. They even started a Facebook petition to try and keep him. But alas, even the all-powerful social networking tool wasn't able to get Donovan out of his Los Angeles Galaxy contract.

There's little doubt that Donovan returning to the club would make Everton fans ecstatic, though.

England is Familiar

Donovan likes the familiar.

Talking about his experiences in the Bundesliga, the 28-year-old winger said that adjusting to German culture was a large part of why he was unhappy in Deutschland—other than the team issues of course.

As much as the English might hate to hear this, England is the closest thing to America that there is.

We speak the same language, eat similar food, and there isn't much of a culture barrier.

The similarities between the two countries make life a lot easier because it requires less adaptation.

The result?

More time to focus on the pitch, less time worrying how to ask "Where's the bathroom?"

And speaking of familiarity...

Tim Howard

What could be better than having a fellow US Men's National Team teammate to help you adjust to the English scene?

Tim Howard established himself as a premier goalkeeper in the EPL years ago, so he is well-adapted to England's culture.

I'm not sure how close Howard and Donovan are, but it can't hurt to have a fellow international on your club team to show you the ropes.

Playing Time

There isn't a team out there as successful as Everton that will offer Donovan the playing time (i.e. starting) that he seeks.

Consistently finishing between fifth and eighth in the EPL table, Everton are a club that are both very good and (somewhat) under the radar. Donovan is talented enough to slide into a starting XI that competes for a place in the top four but always seemed to be just out of reach.

As a testament to that, the Yank started eight of the 11 times he stepped on the pitch, so he's proven he can handle the expectations that come with a starting spot.

While there may not be the glitz and glamor that comes with being the face of the MLS and LA Galaxy, Donovan would be challenged infinitely more in the EPL than in America.

It's Not One of the Big Four

Arsenal. Chelsea. Liverpool. Manchester United.

These are the clubs that comprise the EPL's "Big Four." And it's a good thing Donovan isn't on one.

Why?

Not only would the Yank come off the bench (if that), but these are the clubs that chew players up and spit them out if they don't perform. Fans and media are ruthless when judging the performance of footballers on these clubs as well.

Definitely not the kind of environment for Donovan.

That's not to say he couldn't handle the pressure of playing at one of the Big Four, but it's just not an overall good fit.

Previous success at Goodison Park

Okay, it was only a 10-week loan, but the results were far and away better than anything Donovan has ever achieved in Europe. Two goals and three assists in 11 appearances for the Toffees left fans clamoring for more.

Donovan has had success with the club, so that does a lot for his emotional psyche.

Unlike his stints in Germany, Donovan would go into England knowing he can be a valuable asset and contribute in the starting XI.

David Moyes has confidence in him

After Donovan's stint with Everton, Toffees manager David Moyes had nothing but good things to say about the American.

"He has done really well. He settled in very quickly and he has had an impact on the club in the short time he has been here, so we couldn't have asked for more from him," Moyes told the UK's Daily Mail.

Articles have been popping up in numerous U.S. and UK papers that Moyes is trying to land Donovan, but the MLS' "not for sale" tag is a large hurdle to overcome.

Whether Donovan will come back to Goodison Park or not isn't clear, but it has to be nice knowing that a respected EPL manager wants him back.