Adu to AS Monaco

Benfica has just confirmed on their website that Freddy Adu will be going on loan to AS Monaco. At the end of his loan period, Monaco will have the option to buy Freddy, for an undisclosed amount.

If you read this blog on a reg, you know how much i am against this move. I strongly believe Freddy has a spot in Quique's squad, and it's a shame that Benfica does not think so.
I much rather have liked seeing Adu playing for a middle of the table team in the Liga Sagres, to get experience, but we can't forget that this is Nike's American Soccer poster boy. What exposure would he have playing for a middle of the table team? Monaco finished 12th last year, but is a club with a decent European reputation.
In my opinion, the French Ligue 1 is a little below the Portuguese Liga Sagres, but the exposure for Freddy will be there in the form of playing time, despite Monaco not competing in any European competitions this year.
The other thing i have written about, was the fact that Monaco would be able to handle Freddy's wages, something that a team in the Liga Sagres would not, hence lifting that obligation from Benfica, who at this point is still looking to acquire 2 more players. From what i understand Freddy was making around 500Gs a year, that payroll room will come in handy.

I have to say it's a sad day for me to see Freddy go this way, his brief stint at Benfica, and his sudden disappearance from the call up sheet, continues to be a big mystery to many, myself included. As a Portuguese living in the US, having Freddy at Benfica brought on a sense of pride, and i was pulling very hard for Freddy to be successful, just like many other Benfiquistas living in the US.

From this point on there's no turning back, I don't know exactly what the value of the buy out will be, but if a club puts a player out there with those conditions, the message that the club sends is very clear - We don't need you, go out there and whore yourself out, so that you can make us some money.
It's as clear as day, and regardless on whether Monaco will exercise their buyout option come next June, how many players have returned from such a period and the club took them back with open arms?
Diego Souza is the most recent example, he was one of the best players of the Brasileirao, Gremio could not come up with the money at the end of the option period, yet, Benfica kept him on the hook, until they got the money they wanted.

To conclude, I wish nothing but the best to Freddy, and hope he can continue to mature and grow as a player, so that he can achieve his potential and meets a lot of what's expected from him.
I have very little hope that we can see Freddy in a Benfica jersey again.