David Bentley Reportedly Seeking MLS Loan

“This is something that is really interesting for David, as it will also get him fit through the summer,” Bentley’s agent, Rob Segal, told MLSsoccer.com. “He would like to go there on loan as soon as possible.”

Bentley was the next big thing in English soccer when he debuted for England in 2007 and the hype only grew when he became the most expensive transfer in Tottenham Hotspur history in 2008, but the midfielder has struggled to find a place with Spurs. He ended up on the outs just months after signing with Tottenham and appeared just twice for the club in the fall of 2010 before being loaned to Birmingham City for the rest of the season. He played there, but Birmingham were relegated and when he sought another loan in the summer, only Championship club West Ham showed genuine interest. An injury cut short his time with the Hammers and now he is desperate just to get a chance somewhere.

If Bentley is fit and motivated, he could be a big boost for any MLS club. He is still just 27 years old and can hit a dead ball or cross as well as anyone in the world. He’s never been blessed with pace, but he has enough to get by and some tricks to help him out. Tottenham still own his contract and they have a partnership with the Earthquakes, which help set up Simon Dawkins’ loan to San Jose, so Bentley to the Quakes makes sense, but that would be no more than speculation.

Bentley’s biggest problem has always been that nobody has ever loved David Bentley as much as David Bentley though. It has resulted in lackluster effort and questions about his commitment, but with his career on the line, maybe he will show the kind of work ethic that can make him a star on loan and earn himself a place back in the English Premier League.