Jul 07
Pablo Mastroeni to leave MLS After Season, Michael Bradley to Monaco?
Pablo Mastroeni says he has “made his mind up” and he is ready to go to Europe to play. Mastroeni who has been in MLS for the last ten years says he is finally “ready to go.” Mastroeni has been in Colorado for the last six years. His hard nosed midfield play has earned him league wide respect and his play for the National Team has earned him some world wide credibility. Mastroeni says he “loves it [in Colorado]” but it appears he is ready for a new challenge. Mastroeni, whose contract expires after the season is over will look for an opportunity to play in either Italy or Spain.
Michael Bradley, who appeared likely to go to Middlesborough, Hamburg, or Bayer Leverkusen now looks like he could end up in Monaco along with Freddy Adu. Monaco looks interested in having a greater world wide presence and is interested in securing the services of both Americans. It is reported that Monaco has offered 9.5 million dollars for Bradley, roughly 3 million dollars more than Middlesborough offered. Bradley seems inclined to go to England, but Monaco could offer a salary that is substantially higher than Boro.
What do you think of Mastroeni’s decision to leave after the season? Is it a good move? What about Bradley? Should he join Monaco or go to either England or Germany? Leave your thoughts below.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I’m not buying that Monaco will take both of them. It seems more likely that it’s going to be one or the other since it was only said that they’re very interested in bringing a top American prospect. I still think it’s only Adu. not sure this would be a grwat move for Bradley.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Agreed Chuck. I don’t honestly think Bradley wants to play in France, let alone Monaco. My hunch is that he’ll end up with Hamburg or Bayer Leverkusen. This might just be a ploy to get the other interested teams to put a little more money out there for heerenveen. I think Adu would do well for Monaco, he would get some good playing time their but I think Bradley will be a little bit more ambitious and choose either germany or england.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Wouldn’t Bradley and Adu continuing to play together be really good for the national team?
July 7th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
yes, but Bradley needs a bigger challenge than Monaco has to offer. Adu on the other hand, he just needs to play.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Do you think many Italian and Spanish League One teams will go for Mastroeni? He seems to be on the downhill side of his career, and I understand his wanting to leave and play abroad, but isn’t it a little too late to really get on a solid team?
July 8th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I think this is a case of “I wanted to play in Europe and the window of opportunity is closing.” I think he can latch on to a bottom half of the table team in Serie A or La Liga and play regularly. This is only a 1 or 2 year thing so the team doesn’t really matter as long as he plays and its at the highest level. That’s what I think is happening