Great story.....
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/so...tidore-sunderland-transfer-epl/#ixzz2YhX227kd
It can't be stated strongly enough that a Premiership team paying $13 million for a young American striker is a big deal. If Altidore does capably in his second run through the league, it raises the value for all future players coming up through the various U.S. development programs. Both Altidore and Bradley are picking up where guys like Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey and (loan star) Landon Donovan first tread, getting overseas clubs to realize that there is value in American field players, not just goalkeepers.
<!--startclickprintexclude--><!--endclickprintexclude-->Of course, the size of that value (or at least the accompanying cost going forward) is contingent upon Altidore playing well.
<!--startclickprintexclude--><!--endclickprintexclude-->On the surface, the move to Sunderland looks like it has a lot of potential. While much of the summer transfer season has yet to play itself out, with new-ish Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio eager to continue a massive overhaul of last season's underachieving Black Cats, there's a lot to like about this situation for Altidore.
<!--startclickprintexclude--><!--endclickprintexclude-->First off, he'll be playing for a manager who just authorized a very sizable fee for him. Secondly, Di Canio was an incredibly talented and classy striker himself, so Altidore has a manager with the personal experience to help him continue to develop (as long as they don't discuss politics). Also, Altidore's size and skills look to be a very good fit with fellow striker Steven Fletcher, a good threat in the air and a poacher of some renown. Altidore should immediately move ahead of other options like Danny Graham in the pecking order, and a move to a two-striker system really could benefit him. Despite his improvements in Jurgen Klinsmann's 4-2-3-1 setup, Altidore may still be better working off a partner. Fletcher is not the same type of player as Charlie Davies was pre-car wreck, but those summer months together in 2009 provided glimpses of what Altidore could do with a talented cohort when he's not isolated (and starved of service).
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/so...tidore-sunderland-transfer-epl/#ixzz2YhX227kd