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| Landon Donovan needs to stay at Everton. |
ESPN.com-Landon Donovan has been picked as Everton's player of the month for January for the second time in three years.
The American midfielder, on his second short-term loan to the Toffees from the Los Angeles Galaxy, assisted on five of Everton's eight goals in January. He added another assist last weekend.
Donovan, who received the award on Tuesday night, completes this loan with Saturday's fifth-round FA Cup match against Blackpool.
"It feels good," Donovan told Everton TV. "I think there was a point in January where no one was too happy with the way things were going, but the last few weeks have been a welcome change and a lot better, and it's been a lot more fun to be a part of, for sure."
Highlights included a 1-0 Premier League victory over first-place Manchester City.
"Any time you can beat the leaders it's a pretty special night," Donovan said, "and my dad was there that night, so it made it a little extra special for me."
Two years ago, Donovan scored two goals in 13 games during his first loan to Everton.
"It has a lot of similarities, the way it feels, to the first time," the 29-year-old told Everton TV. "I don't think anything will replicate that first trip here, but I've really enjoyed it. It's been a little easier in a way because I know the people, I know the roads, I know the area."
Landon Donovan was loaned to Everton for the second time in as many years back in December. His first stint was solid, this most recent stint has been magnificent. LD's success in the English Premiership means one thing; he must stay.
Everton has expressed interest in the past(as I'm sure they do now) to sign Donovan full-time, but Landon has had some serious desire to stay with his MLS club L.A. Galaxy. Well, it's time to move on bud. It's time to grow up and finish your career off in the real soccer world. I know it has been a fairytale story over in L.A. winning two MLS titles and enjoying the spotlight, but that is in the past now. You have an opportunity to not only improve your abilities overseas, but also open the door for future U.S. players to do the same thing. Major League Soccer in the United States will probably never make it. But it's only opportunity to do so comes with the improvement of U.S. soccer as a whole, not by adding a bunch of superstars Americans have never heard of.
I'm pretty sure Donovan has this idea that if he leaves the Galaxy for good that the MLS will crumble. But he also needs to realize that despite the league's growth over the years, it hasn't cracked mainstream America or mainstream soccer period. The MLS is still a joke. That's why it doesn't matter if Donovan stays or bolts for the Premiership. He should take after his star U.S. teammate, Clint Dempsey, who left the MLS for England after only three years and never looked backed. LD has one more World Cup chance left in his life grab bag, so why not go into it playing elite soccer on an elite level. Being named "Player of The Month" on any premiership team is an accomplishment, to do it on Everton, is downright impressive. Donovan has the ability to do that consistently just like his American teammate, Dempsey, who was voted Fulham's "Player of the Year" last year.
So Landon, listen here. You are playing the best soccer in your entire life. Your Premiership club wants you to stay, and they just awarded you "Player of The Month." It's time to grow up and do what is best for United States Soccer, and no, that is not saving the MLS. It's about honing your skills on the brightest stage. It's about giving this last World Cup go-around every ounce of talent you have in your body. It might even be about creating yourself a nice little English legacy.
Everton is screaming for you Landon. Please stay.
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