The Daily Scoop

Nguyen Loan Saga Turns Again

by Greg Seltzer - August 1, 2007

The loan status of PSV Eindhoven attack apprentice Lee Nguyen has again been thrown up in the air by a bump up in coach Ronald Koeman's depth chart.

The US international appeared set for a season with Eredivisie risers VVV Venlo, but on Tuesday, Farmers general manager Stan Valckx told Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad that the club were no longer interested in loaning out the #24 shirt.

This declaration is far from the only thing spicing up the serial, however, as teams from France, the Netherlands and Spain have stayed in the picture for a loan.

PSV are also concerned about an offense outage when they kick off the Eredivisie slate at Heracles Almelo on August 19th. Key cogs Jefferson Farfán and Arouna Koné are in heavy doubt for the start of the new season, while Kenneth Perez and Mika Väyrynen are nursing less severe maladies.

To boot, offseason addition Danko Lazovic arrives carrying as two-game ban and Jason Culina is being linked with a move away.

Last, but not least, Nguyen has been performing quite admirably since returning from USMNT Copa America duty. He put on a Young PSV star show in Thursday's 4-0 friendly win over the Go Ahead Eagles second squad, including a stunning goal for the capper.

Nguyen has been wowing the staff in De Herdgang training. (photo: Tim van Woensel)

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"They're happy with what he's been doing," his agent, Lyle Yorks, told American Soccer Daily. "He's moved up in their estimation, but he still needs a chance to play week-in and week-out."

With a full month until the close of the transfer window, the American has time to wait and see what kind of first team opportunity he will get from Koeman before deciding on a course for the length of the season.

"We're still looking at options, and PSV is in the loop all the way," added Yorks. "If things look good and it looks like he's going to get a chance to play, then he'll stay - if not, there are several teams ready to take him on loan."

Nguyen's rep did make it clear that a loan would in no way be preface to a permanent move away from Philips Stadion.

"If he left (for the season), he would still have two years left on his PSV contract," he noted. "He'd come back."