5/18/2012: Timmy Chandler Turns Down Invite. Switching To Germany?
By Ryan Kozlowski
DER JURGEN.COM
In recent years, there has been a surge in German players with American fathers representing the United States.
First it was Jermaine Jones, who plays for German powerhouse Schalke 04.
Jones, a 30 year old veteran with years of experience in the Bundesliga, surprisingly never got a crack with the German national team. As a result, Jones eventually decided he could use his father's American nationality to represent the United States.
Jones intent to play for the United States started a flood, that included Timothy Chandler (FC Nurnberg) a few months later, followed by more gems in Danny Williams (Hoffenheim) and Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim).
Yesterday, Jurgen tried to cap tie all his Germans.
As Jurgen Klinsmann issued 16 invites for the upcoming games against Brazil and Scotland, along with World Cup qualifying to follow in the Summer. Klinsmann will be able to add 13 more players to the roster by Sunday, May 20th.
Jones, Chandler, Williams, and Johnson were all on the initial 16 player roster list.
German-American players Danny Williams and Fabian Johnson both accepted which will cap tie them to the United States, but Timothy Chandler (8 friendly appearances for the U.S.) declined once again citing a long Bundesliga season with Nurnberg and needing a "break."
However, Chandler's decision is a bit odd considering all other Bundesliga and Premiership players, with long seasons, accepted.
Further, this is the second time that Timothy Chandler has declined an official tournament that would cap tie him; as last Summer Chandler declined the Gold Cup.
This second, "no thanks," for World Cup qualifying has U.S. Soccer fans wondering was ist los with Chandler?
Let's break it down with some simple facts on Chandler and the importance of World Cup qualifying:
1.) Chandler isn't a outside back of the quality of a Danny Alves or Ashley Cole; or when he's playing on the wing of the quality of a winger like Gareth Bale. So, what's with all of the commotion? He's a good option but that's it an option.
His starting role hasn't even been determined or that Chandler is the best we got at left back.
He may be Jurgen's favorite at the moment.
But, I don't think anyone's seen enough in 8 games to determine that the left back position is Chandler's for years to come.
2.) Chandler is probably skittish on committing to the U.S. because a part of him hopes to play for Germany, where he has lived all his life, in the future.
The problem for Chandler is, if he would of accepted, he would likely start in the World Cup for the United States.
In comparison, Germany has so much talent that I can't see anyone on their bench even that Chandler could replace.
Chandler just doesn't figure into the top 30 German players out there.
3.) Chandler shouldn't get another call up to the United States ever.
Would he decline World Cup qualifying for Germany or England (if he was English?) Nope.
So, why give someone another chance who apparently doesn't care too much about staying in the starting eleven of the national team side? If you sit at home and take a "break," someone else can take your position, but apparently Chandler doesn't mind.
And even worse he doesn't seem to care about World Cup qualifying? Even playing Brazil, at the end of the month, can't interest Chandler enough.
Which means we need to forget about him, because who wants someone like that on the team.
