[AMERICANS ABROAD] Fulham manager Martin Jol backtracked a bit on his criticism of U.S. star Clint Dempsey, who wants out at Craven Cottage. Jol, who admitted he was a bit harsh, could afford to be in a conciliatory mood on Saturday. Fulham opened the 2012-13 season with a 5-0win over Norwich City.
“To say he refused to play is probably a bit harsh,” said Jol, “but he wanted to move and if you want to move, you don’t want to take risks so youdon’t want to play in case you get an injury. So for me that was a very awkward situation and it was for him as well.”
Jol added that what made the situation particularlyawkward was Fulham had received no offers for Dempsey.
The Dutchman came to Dempsey’s defense after Fulham fans celebrated the fifth goal against Norwich by chanting, “Are you watching,Clint Dempsey?”
“I don’t want to hear the fans were chanting against him because he was a terrific player for us,” Jol said. “He was the most productive midfield player in the wholeleague last season.”
Jol held out hope Dempsey would return for the final year of his contract.
“Hopefully he will play for us again,” the Fulham manager added. “There is oneseason to go, and no one has come in for him.”
Dempsey had previously stated he wanted to move to a team that will play in the Champions League, but he finds himself trying to move duringone of the most depressed periods on the international transfer market in recent years.
Many clubs are trying to unload players with big contracts but not are getting any takers orpotential buyers are holding out to see how low sellers will go.
EPL clubs mentioned as possible destinations for Dempsey have included Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool, but they have allbeen making other moves in recent weeks.
Everton signed Belgium forward Kevin Mirallas from Greece’s Olympiakos on Sunday.
Aguero just went down for Man City. Dempsey could fill a very important hole in that lineup starting next weekend.
best wishes for Clint. Personally, I hoping Arsenal takes him.
Dream on… Man City doesn’t need him, neither wants him. Arsenal is too big for Dempsey. He is just a regular EPL player, otherwise offers would have come by now. HIs fate is to pay for opening his big mouth and be benched untile the manager wants him back.
I can’t have any sympathy, regardless of the circumstances, for anyone who signs a contract and then refuses to play. Dempsey had a very good season last year, but he’s no Messi or Rooney — I think it went a bit to his head. He had a very good situation at Fulham, which he has apparently ruined now, and I don’t think he’s the Arsenal or Man City caliber of player.
He is not a slave. If he chooses not to play, he doesn’t get paid. It seems a bit foolish to do so if he has not received concrete legitimate offers. I think he could easily play at Tottenham or Liverpool. If he really wanted to play in the Champion’s League, he would stay at Fulham until his contract expires and then sign a contract with a C.L. team in a “lesser” league. Plenty of Brazilians and Dario Srna don’t mind playing at Shakhtar for a reason.