Clint Dempsey Undergoes Medical with Fulham, Loan Deal Appears Imminent
By Mike Cardillo
Fulham, which currently sits 19th in the 20-team Premier League Table, could use all the help it could get to avoid relegation. Turning to Dempsey, 30, is nothing more than a short-term solution for the club. That said it should be a low-risk move. Dempsey is familiar with the EPL and proven he can score goals with some regularity. The Fulham team, much to the fans of the club’s dismay, isn’t that much different than when he forced a move to Tottenham in the summer of 2012 so Dempsey shouldn’t need much time to acclimate himself.
Although it’s good to see a prominent American player in the EPL, the loan move isn’t going to turn Dempsey into a new, more dangerous player a few months ahead of the World Cup. You could even argue it would be more beneficial for Dempsey to stay in America and train during the January National Team camp. Still, save for an injury there’s little downside for Dempsey to return to Fulham, where he played from 2007-12.
All-in-all, the loan is going to help out both parties just don’t expect miracles on either end. If anything, it gives American views more incentive to watch Fulham play in January and February. The biggest winners here might be NBC, as the network will have a famous American name to market temporarily.
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