IT may not be the most glamorous of starts to George John’s Premier League career, but just a glance at the man he will probably be sitting in the stands with tonight is enough reason for hope.
The Greek-American defender could well be at Ewood Park tonight to watch this evening’s Carling Cup second round tie against Sheffield Wednesday, with him expected to undergo a medical earlier in the day, and it would be easy for most of the Rovers faithful to not have a clue who he is.
Club skipper Ryan Nelsen, set to be rested this evening, was the last player to make the trip from Major League Soccer to Blackburn.
Some six years and more than 200 appearances later, Kean knows if John can have half as much of an impact, he has got a bargain.
The 6ft 3ins FC Dallas defender was never going to be signed in time to feature in this evening’s tie but, with Kean confident the defender is close to striking a deal, the Rovers boss believes he will be arriving ready to make his Premier League impact.
Kean said: “We have always been looking for a replacement for Phil Jones and George John is a very imposing figure and we think he can fill the void left by Phil.
“It is a very big void and big boots to fill.
“We have a scout who is based in America and he has been getting rave reviews and I have seen him myself a few times as well.
“This scout has been very involved in Ryan Nelsen and a number of other players coming out of the MLS so we are fortunate enough to have him working for us.
“For any lad that comes from that league. They know everything about the league it is so massive out there.
George John
“They have an added advantage they can speak the language.
“They have a great work ethic and are marvellous lads to work with.
“They seem to be highly intelligent on taking on information. Most of them improve.
“They are value for money. If you can get them out, which is not always easy with players from the MLS, they come on competitive salaries. Normally they do well.
“Ryan has been amazing for the club. For what we paid for him and for what we have paid him and you look at what he has given to the club it has been tremendous value. He is such a leader.”
“He is a leader and if not the best, one of the best defenders in the MLS.”
While a glimpse of the future is expected to be in the stands, Kean will also be boosted for this evening’s visit of League One Wednesday by the news of a return for his walking wounded.
French centre back Gael Givet is expected to return from illness for his first start of the season, while inspirational skipper Chris Samba is rated touch and go for the clash, having returned to training from a groin injury.
Kean said: “Chris is going to be touch and go but Gael has trained 100 per cent.
“Chris is positive about the place, he has a smile on his face, has trained excellently and if he doesn’t make this one hopefully he makes Saturday and then hopefully the phone doesn’t ring.
“You get different types of leader. Ryan Nelsen isn’t as vocal as you would imagine, like Chris and Gael.
“They are not the most outspoken guys but what they do is give you a performance that gives you everything they have got.
“They get about their business quietly. Our back four at the end of last season was quite solid.
“Then you take a lot of that apart then you see how solid and reliable they are.
“This game has come around at the perfect time because we have players who need a game. Gael has not played, Chris has not played.
“You have players on the fringes, so I am delighted it is coming around.”
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Blackburn will not be signing George John after the defender returned to FC Dallas.
Rovers had been linked with the 24-year-old who would have followed Montenegro international Simon Vukcevic into Ewood Park.
However, the Major League soccer side have announced that the club and player had not reached an agreement with John returning to the United States.
FC Dallas president and chief executive Doug Quinn told the club’s official website, http://www.fcdallas.com: “Despite mutual interest, Blackburn Rovers and George John have decided not to enter into a contract
“Blackburn had significant interest in acquiring George; however, for the time being, they decided not to finalise the deal.
“We are excited to have a player of George’s calibre back at FC Dallas.”
FC Dallas have confirmed that defender George John has flown to Europe ahead of finalising a move to Blackburn Rovers.
Rovers made their move for John last week and now a deal appears to be edging closer to completion.
Blackburn have reportedly agreed a £2million deal with Major League Soccer for John, and FC Dallas have revealed that he is now on his way to Greece to finalise his passport, which would mean he could play in England without a work permit.
“For the young man to get on a plane and go all the way to Greece to pick up his passport and expedite it, there has to be some kind of solid ground there,” FC Dallas technical director Barry Gorman confirmed.
“Whether it’s completely solid, I don’t know. I’ve seen so many of these things break down at the last minute.
“When a player is going to get a Greek passport so he’ll have the ability to play in Europe, there’s not much we can do.
“We realise that this league is a picking ground for bigger leagues, and you’ve got a young man like George, who’s been successful in this league and gets what seems to be a golden opportunity like this, a club or a league can’t stand in his way.”
John’s agent Theodore Philipakos told MLSsoccer: “The fee has been agreed in principle.
“We haven’t negotiated personal terms with Blackburn. Dallas and MLS have allowed him to travel, and we’re taking steps toward that.”
Dallas president Doug Quinn added: “George flew to Greece to take care of passport issues.
“We are talking to Blackburn about a possible transfer, but no deal is finalised at this time.”