Michael Parkhurst: Will he stay or will he go? (UPDATED)

One of the more intriguing rumors to surface at MLS Cup was word that New England defender Michael Parkhurst was set to make a move to Fulham, making him the fifth American on the books at the London club.

So is he leaving or not? None of the Boston papers have reported anything substantial and neither have any of the reputable papers in England. The closest thing to confirmation at this point is the fact that someone (an overzealous Fulham fan perhaps) has already changed Michael Parkhurst's Wikipedia page to read that he's now a Fulham player (at least that's what it said before some childish individual changed it shortly after my post).

It makes sense that Parkhurst would go now, with one year remaining on his current MLS contract. If New England keeps him another year they would lose him for nothing after the 2008 season. Selling him now would at least bring the club some revenue (although it probably wouldn't be enough to offset the huge loss Parkhurst would be to a Revs defense that would be lost without him).

Parkhurst has an Irish passport and can go play in England when he wants. Is that time now? I think he is ready, though it will be interesting to see what a player of his size could do as a centerback in the EPL. He has spent much of his career proving people wrong though, so I won't doubt him anymore.

So where did this rumor come from? It had been circulating for a few weeks but when ESPN TV analyst Tommy Smythe floated it out there over the weekend it really grew legs. Now Smythe has never been known as a source for breaking soccer news like this so it seems odd to have come from him. Also, a variety of New England-based folks insisted that it wasn't true. None of that means it isn't true.

What do I think? I think Parkhurst is leaving but we won't hear anything close to official until mid to late December. And if he does leave then New England is in serious trouble and might have to use that DP slot on a central defender rather than a forward to partner with Taylor Twellman.

UPDATED- Parkhurst is staying put. A very good source has told me that Parkhurst will play out the remaining year on his MLS contract and weigh his options after the 2008 season. That is great news for the Revs and a smart move by Parkhurst, who will have the freedom to decide if he really wants to leave or whether he will stay in MLS under a new, and larger contract. He likes playing in MLS and isn't in a hurry to leave.

What do you think of this development? Do you think Parkhurst should go? Should the Revs hold on to him for one more title run? Can New England possibly replace the reigning MLS Defender of the Year? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[nico]

Interesting, I think he will and should go. Heard anything on Emilio leaving DC?

[andrew]

whoa... what his wikipedia page says as of this moment is: "Michael Parkhurst (born January 24, 1984 in Providence, Rhode Island) is a homosexual American soccer defender, who currently plays for Ebbsfleet United FC in England and used to play for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer."

[Lee]

I'd like to see him take the chance and go. Hopefully no matter what BB gives him some time next year with the national team.

[Freddy]

I think Parkhurst should go so at least NE can make some money off of him. But I don't the he should go to the EPL becuase he's just to short. I do think he would be a success in a less physical Euro league

[Erik Abarca]

I think Parkhurst should go. Even if the Revs do land a forward to partner with Twellman, i think the Revs can find someone with in the league that can fill in, not as good, but enuff for the Revs to make a run again.

[LDQ]

This would be a devastating blow to the Revs. Especially with an aging defense. How many more years will Reis and Heaps be around. He also seems like a growing emotional presence as well and would certainly be a lock for Captain once Ralston retires.

[Matt L]

Great centerbacks can come in "small" packages.

Fabio Cannavaro at roughly 5'9" and 165 lbs is approximately the same size as Parkhurst.

The Premiership would pose special challenges due to its physical nature of play, but I wouldn't doubt Parkhurst's ability to handle it. Paired with the right partner, he'll be just fine.

Readers, Ives, have a great Thanksgiving.

Matt L

[Brad]

As long as he eventually looks at his options overseas, I think it's great he's staying another year. But I personally think that we need our MNT players playing against the strongest competition available at all times, so if he wants a job on the MNT, he needs to seriously consider going abroad.

[Katatonia]

as devastating to revs as it would be to lose him this winter, it would be even worse to lose him next year for nothing.

[Tim]

I want Parkhurst to go to the EPL so the Red Bulls don't have to face him anymore.

[golfstrom]

please don't ever "reference" wikipedia. wikipedia = random guy on the internet.

[dc1819]

He's such a good player, a cerebral defender as opposed to a bruiser. I would like to see him in Holland or France, where he can grow his game and more emphasis is on being able to think the game. He could definitely hack it in England but a British style coach like Sanchez is bound to go for brawn over brains.

[eastlachiva]

I hope he doesn't hurt himself next season.

[kpugs]

I don't really give a crap, because he's overrated. I'm not saying he's not a good player, but people are making him out to be the next Baresi.

New England need him because he's a clean player, and they have to put at least one player out there who doesn't dive or cheat.

[Dominghosa]

Good move Parky. Joining Team America to an eventual relegation to the Championship wouldn't have been a good move.

[Tim Crawford]

He's irreplaceable. Flat out. He takes the place of two men like no one before. If he goes, we need 2!!! defenders and to change into a 4-back system, and this team is not that style right now. I hope we draft Julius James and groom him quick to be the Parky replacement, but this is going to be tough whenever he does go. Him staying instantly makes us a title contender for next year though. Him gone means doom.

[KaptPowers]

As a Revs' fan I obviously want him to stay. We haven't yet replaced Clint Dempsey and now that Riley's gone we would be utterly adirft at the back. The idea of the Revs' selling him for revenue is a joke considering the Dempsey money (and allocations dating back to the Brian McBride deal!) has gone unused.

[Joe]

Can he get a work permit for the Premiership? Isn't there some arcane formula of number of national team games in the last year you have to have played in added to your mother's birthday needing to total up to some magic number to get the home office to cough up the paper. I know he's good, but he hasn't got that many caps.
If he can get the paper, he should go.

[Ives]

Joe, read the post. He's got an Irish passport and is good to go whenever he's ready.

[Ives]

I know that Wikipedia is bogus Golfstrum, that was sort of the point of the reference.

Actually I heard that Wikipedia was good for finding tips on negotiating, at least that's what it said on The Office (sarcasm folks).

[Amit]

He will be fine in the EPL.I know that its a lot more technical over here, but he'll manage in time. HAHA.

[daniel Sullivan]

i'd love to see what he can do on the right or left side of the u.s. national team defense since he is too small to sweep on the international level. clearly he knows what he is doing, but he gets little exposure. with all the talented young players bb has given a shot, it'd be nice to see what this skilled defender can do. can this guy cross the ball?

[Eugene]

For the life of me, I can't understand why he doesn't get more call ups to the senior national team.

Anyone who has seen Parkhurst play knows that his height is irrelevant. He is a *smart* defender with tremendous potential. Just look at Fabio Cannavaro for another smart defender who lacks height -- and we all know the level of Cannavaro.

In light of Parkhurst not getting call ups though, I think it would have been a better decision for him to go, get more exposure playing in Europe and hopefully start getting called up more regularly to the national team. If he decides to stay at NE, I don't see him really improving much next year and raising his profile.

On a similar note, another defender who is greatly underrated because of his height is U-17s centerback Mykell Bates. The kid is a smart defender, a good leader, has an excellent vertical leap and has shown strong aerial attacking ability to date. I'm really hoping that he goes pro in MLS this year and slips to the Red Bulls -- I think he would be a huge pick up in the draft.