Freddy Adu to Reading?

I saw this at CNN/SI.com -

"Reading is being linked with a sensational £5m move to bring American star Freddy Adu to the Premiership in January. The 17-year-old attacker is one of the hottest prospects in World football and both Chelsea and Manchester United have been strongly linked with the D.C. United star. -- eatsleepsports.com"

If this is true, which as it is only listed as a rumor, who friggin knows, it would actually be a good thing in my opinion. Think about for a moment. This is the exact type of club to go to for several reasons.

One reason is that as D pointed out, Reading have proven that they know how to bring along American players, as they have shown with Bobby Convey (who looked awesome against Manchester United last weekend) and Marcus Hahnamann.

A second reason as I have said in the past, Freddy would get buried at a large club like Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and so on. Those clubs have so many superstars that in order to keep them and their multi-million dollar paychecks happy, the players that are lower in the scheme of things fail to get any quality playing time. If signed to one of these clubs, Freddy would either flounder in their reserves or get loaned out...to a mid table club like Reading. I always thought that Reading, Ashton Villa, West Ham, or Fulham would be the best choice for Freddy, if he went to the Premiership. These clubs would be able to give him the proper development as well as a chance to ease him into the league, rather than either use him as a marketing stunt, or banish him to the bench or reserves.

As Freddy is still only 17 and will turn 18 in June, he will still be with DC United for at least 75% of next season. That is unless the next USMNT coach doesn't include him in the Gold Cup and/or the Copa America (if they take part).

In the fantasy world that I live in, here is what I predict for Freddy next season:

- Stays with DC United to start the 2007 MLS season; plays in the CONCACAF Champions Cup matches that DC United have (assuming we get 3 points Saturday against the Houston Power Supply); gets called into every USMNT camp and gets a spot on the 2007 Gold Cup roster.

- Freddy returns to DC United for 3 home matches, around the second one, it is announced that the transfer talks are underway, and in his last match, DC United get about 26,000 people in the seats to say good-bye. He is sold to Chelsea, who has him take part in their summer tour of the USA and plays in the tournament that they are creating with the LA Galaxy.

- He is then loaned out to either a midtable EPL club or a midtable La Liga club, one that will pretty much guarantee him a considerable amount of match time, to increase his skills. He spend the season with them, and returns to Chelsea for the 2008/09 season, a more mature and skillful 19 year old.