UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Brian Nielsen’s future with the Red Bulls remains very much up in the air.
Nielsen, signed to a loan deal last April, played just 105 minutes in 2010 before succumbing to a knee injury. A string of knocks limited him to just one MLS substitute appearance this season, but he made it clear he wants to come back to the team.
The Danish winger will have a discussion with sporting director Erik Solér and head coach Hans Backe sometime this week to determine whether or not he will return to New York in 2012.
Admittedly, his fate is very much unknown for the time being.
“I don’t really know; I have to talk with the staff,” Nielsen told MLSsoccer.com. “I don’t know yet. I would like to come back, yes.”
Because he is on a loan deal from Red Bull Salzburg, the possibility exists that Nielsen could go back to the Austrian club or even be transferred or loaned to another European side. A former Danish U-21 international, the winger showed glimpses of creativity and a good touch during his brief spell on the field last year.
And although life in the city has been to his liking, Nielsen didn’t pull punches when discussing his professional fortunes.
“Soccer wise, I haven’t [enjoyed it] – I haven’t played,” Nielsen said. “Otherwise, yes, I’ve enjoyed it.”
He said he feels fully recovered from the knee issues and groin injury that plagued him late in the summer as he worked to get back on the field. He hopes to continue to round into game shape during the offseason, even while facing an uncertain future.
“I feel great. I feel no problems with my knee anymore,” Nielsen said. “Had a little problem with my groin right now, but I feel good. The plan is to go back and train with some club in Denmark and then do my offseason program by myself.”
A big reason why he’d like to return to the club is that Nielsen feels he hasn’t had the chance to show management or Red Bulls fans what he is capable of doing on the field. Asked if he felt like there was unfinished business at Red Bull Arena, he nodded emphatically.
“One hundred percent,” Nielsen said. “I don’t really feel like I’ve showed anything yet. I played what, one game this year and what, three games last year? I haven’t really shown anything yet. I’d like to come back and show what I can do.”
