NOAH DAVIS – Eddie Johnson, he of Fulham and the loan to Cardiff City, offered some revealing words to the Cottagers official magazine. The striker:
“Being an American, it’s tough to come over here and do well in such a big league where American players are still fighting for respect. I know it was tough for Clint Dempsey when he first came over and he had to fight his way into the team. But the club took a chance on me, so now it’s time for me to deliver. … I’m at the stage where I should be playing regular first-team football and I feel like, after the loans I’ve had at Cardiff and in Greece, I’m ready.”
This is a sentiment you suspect, but it’s rare a player comes out and openly admits that there’s a negative stigma toward Americans. Then again, we see it over and over again. Look at Dempsey, one of the best players in the Premier League last year, who now has to prove himself all over again under Mark Hughes. As for Johnson, it’s tough to see him getting much time this year, but at least he seems to be in the right mindset.