Manchester City-bound midfielder Cavan Sullivan has become the centre of an explosive row between two former United States internationals. Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan have traded heated words over the 17-year-old, who will join City when he turns 18 next September.
Sullivan is impressing in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Philadelphia Union, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists in 26 appearances this season. He recently made his debut for Mauricio Pochettino's US Men's National Team and became the country's youngest ever goalscorer.
Donovan's caution sparks Johnson's response
Donovan urged caution over placing too much pressure on rising American stars, name-dropping Johnson as a former highly-rated prospect who failed to live up to expectations. Johnson hit back, saying: "I can't speak for Freddy Adu or Santino Quaranta or Gio Reyna, but I will speak for myself, Landon Timothy Donovan."
Johnson continued: "You talk so much s**** about every other young upcoming player in the past but yourself. He came back home where it was easy for him, and now he talks shit about kids doing more than he did in a league he failed in. I did everything you did with fewer opportunities and [am] still considered one of the best strikers this country has seen. I salute these young boys for sticking it out in Europe and not taking the easy way out for a paycheck … and less pressure."
Sullivan's City move edges closer
Donovan had said: "I am measured and calm because I, unlike a lot of new soccer fans, have seen this story happen over and over. I saw it with Freddy Adu. I saw it with a guy you won't even remember, Santino Quaranta. I saw it with Eddie Johnson. I saw it with Gio [Reyna] and seen how it's progressed. There will be the next superstar at some point. It might be Cavan. I'm hoping it's Cavan, or maybe it's Julian Hall."
City signed Sullivan from Philadelphia Union as a 14-year-old in 2024, with the deal set to be completed when he turns 18. Sullivan, who turned 17 at the end of September, continues to progress as his move to the Premier League approaches.
