Landon Donovan: Why Potential Everton Move Is Good for American Star

Landon Donovan is capable of being a standout player in a European League, but in order to solidify his standing as a top-class talent, he must prove it across an entire season.

According to Forbes.com, the soccer star has placed his $4.295 million home in Manhattan Beach, a suburb of Los Angeles, up for sale. The report hints that Donovan may be eying a more permanent move across the Atlantic.

The article also claims that the MLS would be willing to release its star if the price was right.

Donovan had a failed stint with German club Bayern Leverkusen as a teenager, but was extremely unhappy with his situation in Europe and never played well there.

He had incredible success in MLS, but this league does not offer world-class competition, and if he wishes to prove himself as a world-class player, he must do so in Europe.

Donovan had an unimpressive stint on loan to Bayern Munich during the 2008-09 season, but he did turn heads during two brief terms with Everton.

The Merseyside club took Donovan on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy during the 2009-10 season and the 2011-12 season. Throughout his time with the Toffees, he featured on the wing and played extremely well.

During his first season in England, he had two goals and three assists in 10 English Premier League appearances. This included a fantastic performance in a 2-1 upset of Chelsea—who won the league that season—in which Donovan assisted on a goal and drew a penalty kick (which was missed by Louis Saha). 

This past season, Donovan played seven games with Everton and recorded three assists. He has been in excellent form during every match he has played in a blue jersey, and Toffees’ captain Phil Neville raved about him, per ESPN. 

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Toward the end of his spell back in January I even tried to kidnap him for a while and keep him in England! I'm telling the truth here when I say the last two times he's been over he's totally transformed our season. He's the ultimate professional, he's got great quality, and the Everton fans love him. He's a hero at Goodison Park, and he's played less than 20 games for us. I've played with some world-class right-sided players in my time, and he's up there with them.

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Neville beautifully summed up Donovan’s performances at Everton, and there is no doubt that the American has the quality to make an impact in the Premiership across an entire season.

At 30 years old, his dreams of making soccer a major sport in the United States are far-fetched. It is time for Donovan to worry about himself and his legacy simply as a footballer, and not an American footballer. 

To prove that he is a top-class player, he must perform well against the best talent in the world. He will find that in the Premier League. 

Donovan has a place in England on a side that loves him. The best possible move for his career at this point is to head back to Everton.