Rumor: Sunderland Targeting Michael Farfan For A January Transfer As He Impresses While On Trial
by Scott Kessler on Jan 11, 2012 10:46 PM EST
in Offseason Content
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The Daily Mail, an English news outlet with a dubious record when it comes to sports related rumors, is reporting that Sunderland has Michael Farfan not only in for a trial, but is also trying to get him a work permit. Farfan will train with Sunderland for two weeks, ending on January 24.
Farfan was originally said to be training with the English Premier side yesterday, when Soccer By Ives revealed the midfielder was heading to Tyne and Wear. Nothing more was said about his situation with Sunderland, with the circumstances of his travel to the United Kingdom assumed to be similar to Amobi Okugo's and Zach Pfeffer's in Germany, Zac MacMath in England and Freddy Adu's in Spain.
Instead, the Daily Mail says that Sunderland manager Martin O'Neil is seeking to obtain a work permit for Farfan, meaning that his training period with the Black Cats quickly became a showcase of his talents. However, as the Brotherly Game told fellow SB Nation soccer site Roker Report (Sunderland), the odds of Farfan receiving a Work Permit are slim given the standards that the United Kingdom has for soccer players. Typically a player has to be a highly enough rated national team for about 75 percent of the international squad's games over the course of a couple of years. The process is occasionally changed based upon situations that the Department of Work and Pensions believes warrant it.
The Brotherly Game was informed by a source with knowledge of team plans that the Union will be "selling some young players for profit this year." With Danny Mwanga rumored to be on the trade block ahead of tomorrow's 2012 MLS SuperDraft, and Farfan possibly staying in England, the Union may already be on their way to fulfilling those plans.
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The Daily Mail
an English news outlet with a dubious record
You are being kind.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
I didn't want to write an article that started off with an evisceration of the Mail.
Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Jan 11, 2012 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
Work Permit
How is it Marfan would not get a work permit while Ream/Bolton seem confident of obtaining one?
Ream has the benefit of national team caps...
along with the claim of being a part of Klinsmann’s future at CB. Couple that with his college degree and you’ve got some wiggle room.
Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Jan 11, 2012 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
Work Permit
There have been several Americans with deals all set to go with teams in England only to be turned down due to the UK work permit requirements which is one reason why so many head to Denmark / Norway / Sweden to get a foot in the door.
Brad Friedel had contracts offered by Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, Kevin Keegan at Newcastle, and Peter Reid at Sunderland but his permit application was denied each time. He spent a few years in Denmark, a few years in Turkey, a few years in MLS, and helped mind the net for the USMNT before until finally breaking through with Liverpool (his initial permit application was rejected that time too, but it was won on an appeal).
Brad Guzan was lined up for a winter move to Aston Villa, but had to wait until the summer when his first attempt to secure a permit failed.
Bobby Convey had a $2 million move to Tottenham called off when his permit was denied while Manchester United pulled Tim Howard through on an appeal (despite being capped only half as many times as Convey that year).
Freddy Adu went to Manchester United for a mini-loan stint before his final season with DC United, but his permit request was rejected and he could only train with the academy team.
Considering how tough it is for guys who have played with varying degrees of success for the US National Team, there’s no way Farfan will qualify unless he has a European Passport we don’t know about.
MK
Depth
Are we really deep enough to sell this guy and stay competitive?
I see him as one of the elite young players on our team!
by Angelina Grimke on Jan 12, 2012 5:29 AM EST reply actions
MLS reality setting in
There is no way we can keep all(most?) of our good young players very long in MLS. We just can’t pay them enough. It’s going to be frustrating to experience, even though I know it’s coming.
Dang
I’d be a lot more upset about this one than the previous Mwanga rumor. The Farfs are a nice building block.
On the other hand, Sunderland have been looking good lately.
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