In the midst of post-Confederations Cup disappointment after a hard-fought loss to Brazil in the final, Jozy Altidore has stated clearly that he wants to move on from Spanish side Villarreal.
It's about playing time, of course, and it appears that Jozy doesn't think it's going to come with the Yellow Submarine.
“I think it’s important that we know wherever we’re going, whatever environment we’re in that we get playing time,” Altidore told Goal.com. “You can’t have guys coming in who haven’t played, like myself. We have to be ready to play. That was a bit tough towards the end of the tournament.”
Jozy's fitness has been an issue with the National Team, a condition resulting from his lack of games during the recent Spanish season.
“In my mind, I don’t really want to go back there,” he said. “I want to go play somewhere else.”
Bold words from a young player, but he seems to have no faith that he'll see the field for Villarreal next year.
“I want to find a team where I’m going to play—simple,” he said. “I won’t go back to the Segundo division. I’m just looking for somewhere to play the whole year.”
One would think that a strong showing at the Confederations Cup on a big international stage would serve Altidore well if he does want out of Villarreal. The club should be able to sell him on at a profit, as the striker is still only nineteen and has recently done well against superior competition.
Rumors are swirling around Altidore, with several clubs mentioned as possible destinations; those rumors are invariably in regards to a loan rather than a transfer, so it will be interesting to see what Villarreal choose to do with their suddenly-hot property.
