EPL's Derby sold American

The bottom feeders of this season's Premier League are under American ownership as Derby County chairman Adam Pearson has managed to find new investors for the club.

Although the new faces are, at this point, unnamed, the article does mention that "the group were previously involved in talks with a takeover of Manchester City, only to lose out to Thaksin Shinawatra."

So will this in some way help keep Derby up this season? Unless the new owners include a magically fairy, probably not. However, it should help provide manager Paul Jewell the needed funds for the summer transfer window, but will it finally help American Benny Feilhaber see some decent playing time?

This move means four of the twenty teams currently in the EPL are owned by Americans (Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa are the others). If only we could convince these people to throw some of that money into MLS.

Feilhaber staying in England for now

He might not be playing much for Derby, but they are sticking with him after rejecting Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv's offer for the midfielder. In the end, Derby just didn't think the club's offer was equal to Feilhaber's value. The reported offer was £275,000, or more then £700,000 less then the club paid for him five months ago.

It is a shame that the reason behind this was the low figure instead of a desire to play Feilhaber, but that is the way of international football.

So Feilhaber finds himself benched on a club that is just about certain of relegation. Unless another club and move in with a better offer, it's going to be a difficult spring for Benny.

Benny Feilhaber looking towards Israel

Just five months after landing at Derby County in England, US midfielder Benny Feilhaber is looking at a possible move to Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv. Although a move from the EPL to Israel can only be seen as stepping backwards, this is a smart choice since he is not getting playing time at Derby.

In order to get a work permit to play for Derby, US coach Bob Bradley had to provide a statement to English officials saying that Feilhaber would be a big part of the future US team, however his lack of appearances, is putting his US position at risk (as was seen in his below par performance against South Africa). If he wants to get pack in the roster picture as we head towards 2010, he needs to make some change. Since it looks like Derby doesn't want him, and needs to go elsewhere.

Israel is not one of the big leagues, but playing time is better then the bench just about any time. It is a difficult choice but I think his time in Israel would be short.

Feilhaber to Derby County - It's official

Benny Feilhaber's move to EPL newbie is complete after he received his work permit from the UK Home Office.

He will arrive in England tomorrow and under go his medical before finalizing and signing his new contract.

The most interesting part about this whole process has to do with his work permit, which looked unlikely at first. However, US coach Bob Bradley stepped in and told the Home Office that Feilhaber will be a big part of future US teams. Turns out that did the trick.

"Bradley played a big part in Benny's move," (Derby's Matt) Reeder continued. "He sent in a statement that Benny was a big part of the future of the US team, and that he has a secure place in the starting eleven."

Congratulations to Benny and nice assist by Bradley.

Benny Feilhaber off to the EPL

Derby County might not have got the first American they went after, however it looks like they might land their second as Mr. Gold Cup winning goal himself, Benny Feilhaber is close to closing a transfer deal to the club.

"We are very close," he told American Soccer Daily on Tuesday morning. "The basics have been agreed, and now we get into the details."

"The contract is supposed to be for three years. We hope it's going to work out. This would be good for Benny."

Feihaber is still training with Hamburg in preparation for this Saturday's opener against Hannover 96, however he has asked to be part of the first team or be traded to another club.

These reports put the transfer figure at €1.5 million or about $2 million.

EPL's Derby County wants Eddie Johnson

That is the speculation after Derby County manager Billy Davies praised Johnson in the press:

"He is young, has great pace and also a point to prove because he has never played in England before," Davies told the Derby Evening Telegraph.

"He scores goals for fun and has started the American season like a house on fire. He is the most valued player in the MLS.

"Very few American players have come to this country and failed.

"They have a lot to offer, they are fit and they are very good professionals."

It is interesting the Davies says he is the MLS's MVP at this point because you don't hear much of that in the US. I'm not saying Davies is wrong, in fact I think he makes a good point. Without Johnson, KC are a below average mess, but with him they are challenging for the top of the East.

Anyway, Davies would not confirm that he has or will make a big for EJ, but with his club returning to the Permership for the first time since 2002, I'm sure he is concidering it.

Then there is Johnson himself who has torn things up domestically but never really clicked on the international stage. From a technical stand point, a move to the EPL would be be a complete test of his skills and if he ever wants to make such a move, at age 23, he doesn't have much more time.

But the major issue might be the league and the Wizards. As I noted above, Johnson is the main reason KC has a chance this year and I doubt they are fired up about losing that option. Also, he Eddie is one MLS's major promo guys and they will not want to let that go cheap. However, if the offer was high enough, they could go for it.

Personally, I would love for Johnson to make the move to the EPL because I think he has gone as high as he can go in MLS. He does have a great deal of talent, but he needs better training and opposition, which a newly promoted EPL side can offer. If he is ever to become the threat we all want him to be on the international stage, chances are it will involve a move out of the US.