Back and forth, back and forth.
This Landon Donovan vs. Jurgen Klinsmann saga just keeps going on and on.
And now it has taken a new twist.
Earlier today Donovan responded to reports that he was set to be left out of Klinsmannโs USMNT squad, for the crucial World Cup qualifiers next month.
Donovan spoke to the LA Galaxy All-Access podcast, about the SI.com reports that he wouldnโt be featuring in Klinsmannโs plans for the friendlies with Belgium and Germany and the three World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica, Panama and Honduras in June.
Well, Jurgen and I have consistently spoken over many months now. I was not aware that was information that was already made public. Jurgen has not told me that it was definitive. But I really do believe that if I get called in that I can help the team, even if Iโm not playing, I can help the team. I think that my experience having been through this three times could be very beneficial, but if Iโm not in then it is what it is and Iโll get my way back in.
So, what do we think of that folks?
First of all, it seems as if Donovan and Klinsi are on much better terms than we thought. But these comments by Donovan do come across as a little, I donโt know, over confident? Maybe I am just reading into them too much.
But it does seem as if Donovan is pushing ever so hard for an inclusion into the next USMNT squad. As he left the door wide open to a possible call up for the crunch World Cup qualifiers in just a few weeks time.
The USMNT could certainly use Donovan. Can you think of anyone better to come off the bench late in the game if the US are struggling to break down Honduras or Panama at home? Nope, neither can I.
So even if Donovan isnโt fully-fit and he isnโt reproducing the sparkling form we have all come to expect from him, you put him in the squad for his experience, his leadership and his ability to deliver in clutch moments. Come on Klinsi.
(More: Should Donovan be included in the next USMNT squad?)
He hasnโt played 144 times for the US and scored 49 times at the international level through luck. The man is a quality player. Klinsmann seems to be holding back from picking one of the USAโs best players because of a power struggle in his own mind. Donovanโs inclusion will not hinder the USMNTโs trajectory towards the 2014 World Cup. It will only help it.
If the US want to rubber stamp their ticket to Brazil as soon as possible, Donovan needs to be in the mix.
Even if that means he is Graham Zusiโs understudy and provides valuable minutes off the bench.
The latest comments from Donovan on his USMNT future is clear. A โcome and get me pleaโ has been issued.
So what are you waiting forโฆ go and get him, Jurgen.
