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Agudelo signs pre-contract with Stoke City

JuanAgudelo (ISIPhotos)

By IVES GALARCEP

While one American player has already made the move from the English Premier League to Major League Soccer this summer, at least one American will be heading the other way very soon.

New England Revolution forward Juan Agudelo has completed a pre-contract agreement with Stoke City, which means he will become a Potter after his current MLS contract expires on Dec. 31st, sources confirmed to SBI on Tuesday.

Players who have six months or less on an existing contract are allowed to sign pre-contract agreements (binding contracts) with new clubs, and Agudelo’s multi-year deal with Stoke City means he will be joining Geoff Cameron, Brek Shea and Maurice Edu on the Potters when the winter transfer period opens for business in January.

Sources have also told SBI that Stoke City and Agudelo are in talks with the Revs to bring Agudelo over to England sooner, a move which would likely require a modest transfer fee during the summer transfer window.

Agudelo is recovering from a knee sprain that has kept him out of the Revs lineup for the past seven weeks, but it appears now his days with New England may be over unless the Revolution decide to pass on transfer offers to let Agudelo leave early. The Revs might be inclined to pass on such a deal because, according to SBI sources, they only own a small percentage of his sale rights (with the New York Red Bulls still holding a large portion).

The 20-year-old Agudelo has had a modestly successful 2013 season, despite missing several matches due to injury. He has scored five goals in 11 combined matches with Chivas USA and the Revolution. He has missed the past seven Revs matches with a knee sprain and hasn’t seen the field since June 15th.

The one-time U.S. Men’s National Team player has fallen out of the national team picture while he sorts out his club career, though U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has repeatedly mentioned Agudelo as someone he continues to keep tabs on as a member of the national team pool.

Agudelo will be joining a Stoke City side that could see him as a speed forward replacement for retired English star Michael Owen. The Potters stable of forwards currently includes Peter Crouch, Jon Walters, Cameron Jerome and Kenwyne Jones.

Agudelo’s move to from New England to the English Premier League will come seven years after another young Revs striker, Clint Dempsey, made a similar move. Though Dempsey has just recently returned to MLS, signing with Seattle, Agudelo would be joining Jozy Altidore as young American strikers in the EPL.

What do you think of this development? Excited to see Agudelo heading to the English Premier League? Think Stoke City is a good fit, or do you worry about the style of play the Potters play? See Agudelo forcing his way back into the national team picture in the next year?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. 7th American in France. Bocanegra aside, France has not been a fortunate destination for American players…..from the article, here’s the other 5:

    Greg Vanney (60 matches avec Bastia), Freddy Adu (9 matches avec Monaco) et le dernier en date Charlie Davies (10 matches, 2 buts avec Sochaux). Les deux autres sont Franco-Américains : David Régis (154 matches) et Quentin Westberg (4 matches).

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  2. I don’t like the move at all…I think it is a huge mistake to go to EPL at his age and maturity level. He’s still hanging onto the ball just a bit too long and that style of play will get you absolutely hammered over there. With his history of nagging injuries, and the physical abuse he’s going to take, I fear he’ll be injured non-stop. Like a lot of others, I think he should follow Jozy’s path and develop his game in Holland…that would be ideal, a couple years over there would do wonders for him. He’s a huge talent, but due to injury or his musical chair club situation has never been able to properly develop….Stoke feels like a continuation of the pattern.

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  3. Man some people on here are so out of touch. Agudelo needs to learn how to train? hahaha what!? And you know this from the hours you’ve spent personally watching Juan train? Has anybody besides worthless Backe said anything about a lack of work effort from Agudelo? No, its just bullsh!t speculation. Celtic, Liverpool, West ham, and Stuttgart all said he was nothing but cl@ss when he trained with them and they were all impressed with what they saw. Even Chelis said he had no idea just how good Agudelo was.

    Its no coincidence New England and Chivas look better when Juans on the field. Its no coincedence the olympic team beat the eventual champions with Juan on the field and crashed out when he was not. 3 goals in 5 games in New England and 14 in MLS by the age of 20 all while dealing with plenty of injuries is nothing to scoff at.

    He’s going to be a bust?? hahahahahah just like Altidore right? Some people will just never learn smh

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  4. Man some people on here are so out of touch. Agudelo needs to learn how to train? hahaha what!? And you know this from the hours you’ve spent personally watching Juan train? Has anybody besides worthless Backe said anything about a lack of work effort from Agudelo? No, its just bullsh!t speculation. Celtic, Liverpool, West ham, and Stuttgart all said he was nothing but class when he trained with them and they were all impressed with what they saw. Even Chelis said he had no idea just how good Agudelo was.

    Its no coincidence New England and Chivas look better when Juans on the field. Its no coincedence the olympic team beat the eventual champions with Juan on the field and crashed out when he was not. 3 goals in 5 games in New England and 14 in MLS by the age of 20 all while dealing with plenty of injuries is nothing to scoff at.

    He’s going to be a bust?? hahahahahah just like Altidore right? Some people will just never learn smh

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    • More talented 20 year olds have failed. Not saying Juan will. I actually like his game a lot. Its definitely not a sure thing he pans out though. He has a ways to go as a professional. Hopefully there are big things ahead for him.

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  5. Overall – a good move for him. The quality of the competition and the quality of the coaching he will get in the Premiership are generally head and shoulders above anything MLS can offer. He has great potential and he might really flourish overseas – especially at a team that has several other guys form the USMNT that will help him adjust to the cultural changes and keep him focused on the prize – getting on the plane to Brazil, or at least earning some more call ups.
    Mucho Juanito, mucho!

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      • I mean the Premier League is arguably the top league in the world. The players are coaches who make it there are at the pinnacle of their profession. It doesn’t mean there can’t be better coaching in MLS but that’s kind of like saying a basketball player will get better coaching in Europe than the NBA. Its possible but in most cases not true.

  6. Wished he would have established himself in a smaller league first like Holland or Portugal before going to the EPL. Being a bench player in the EPL won’t help his development.

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  7. Horrible move. This kid needs to stay in MLS and earn his way too Europe. Otherwise he will end up on the bench with Shea and edu, which seems guaranteed at this point. I can’t see him starting for stoke, especially not over crouch. Hopefully these three bench warmers will get

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    • yeah…I completely disagree. I feel one should to a situation that most benefits one’s career. He’s an attacking midfielder/winger or maybe striker who links up well in the midfield (this is all my opinion by watching him).

      In terms of “earning” his way to Europe, he’s not a polished pro (he’s 20 yrs old), but has proven to be a player with potential that has proven to be very effective when not injured. He should go to a place where he can polished off. I don’t know how good stoke is at that, but they HAVE to be better than NE. There are clubs that know for polishing off players in technical leagues that I would have preferred, but this might prove to be a good move.

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    • yeah…I completely disagree. I feel a player should go to a situation that most benefits their career development. He’s an attacking midfielder/winger or maybe striker who links up well in the midfield (this is all my opinion by watching him).

      In terms of “earning” his way to Europe, he’s not a polished pro (he’s 20 yrs old). He has proven to be an effective player with potential when not injured. He should go to a place where he can be refined or polished off. I don’t know how good stoke is at that, but they HAVE to be better than NE. There are clubs that are known for polishing off players in more technical leagues that I would have preferred, but this might prove to be a good move.

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  8. I’d say this is a good move for Agudelo right now. I don’t see a bright future for this young talent at the NE Revs, as they seem to favor grooming undervalued talent. I don;t see the Revs upping his contract at the end of the year giving his playing time either. He can go now on a free transfer – happy to see him sign the pre-contract.

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  9. Ives – this new advertising platform is crazy! I can’t use the “Top Headlines” links at the top right and the videos are incredibly annoying – from the sound to the fact that they cover so much of the screen. 🙁

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    • You can click on the ad to minimize it, and then access to the Top Headlines. Also, it shouldn’t be playing sound.I try to steer clear of auto-play audio since I know how much readers hate it.

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  10. Couple this with the fact that multiple European teams are reportedly interested in Donovan, who has not yet stated any interest in resigning with the Galaxy. Could be an interesting year for Americans Abroad, even without Demps.

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  11. I don’t have that much hope for Edu, Shea, or Agudelo individually at Stoke. (Cameron seems to be fine) But between the three of them the rule of averages says one of them has to work out. Nice to see a team where lowering the playing time of one american could potentially increase the playing time of another

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  12. My how things have changed. When these situations have occurred in the past the first comment was “can he get a work permit?”. Is that no longer an issue?

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  13. Congrats to Juan! I think all of this “good fit” talk is rubbish. A player’s career hangs by a thread (or a knee ligament) and can be gone in an instant, and a managerial change or an unexpected transfer can turn a good fit into a bad fit just as fast. He should take the biggest pay check he can find, play his best and hope for the best. If it doesn’t work out, he still has the money.

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  14. I really don’t think he’s all that good. Its not as if he was scoring 15+ goals a season in MLS. But maybe he can develop further in England, who knows?

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    • He has talent, but hasn’t turned that in to production yet. How many times have we seen this story? Stoke is betting on his potential.

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      • So did Fredua Adu. The risk is that he won’t get any playing time as Stoke fight relegation hovering in those two to three spots above the drop all season, and thus, he won’t actually get to develop his skills. I think dutch league would’ve been a great move for him. Honestly, I would take a bet on Jack Mcinerney’s talent way before Agudelo.

      • Like I said, Agudelo is all talent and potential now. There have been many players before him with more talent that have failed and less that have succeeded. He is far from the finished product, but Stoke is making a low risk move for a guy with big upside. He will be given a chance to play at some point. Could be with Stoke or on loan, but its up to Agudelo to take that chance and earn a spot somewhere. Time will tell

      • Agree on Eridivisie. Totally disagree on JMac. Juan is much more talented. Bigger, stronger, faster and more technical. Adu comp is way off. FA is a midfielder who lacks size and pace. Juan is a striker who has both. Managers will likely be more patient with Juan bc of his position and his physical gifts.

      • Really a no lose move for Stoke, sure it won’t hurt them much if he bombs, if he does well they got a good player on the cheap.

      • Honestly- how do you guys define “production”? He’s scored 5 goals in 11 games. Essentially one goal for every 2 games, and he’s 20 years old, and playing on the 2 worst teams in the league. What would he have to do for you to consider him to be productive?

      • Yes, I’ll grant you that he has had a productive 2013. Its really too bad he picked up this knee injury. What I meant is over the course of his (short) career he has been a player of obvious talent that has not found a consistent and productive role in a team. In the words of Jurgen, he ‘hasn’t made sh*t.’ He has great talent but hasn’t done much of note with it at this point. Stoke is getting a player with lots of upside. That is about it right now. Hope he pans out.

      • Let’s not forget he is all of 20 years old. He would have only graduated from high school 2 years ago. The expectations we put on our young players is ridiculous.

      • Now that I completely agree with. He got a lot very very early in his career. Now it is still early in his career but he is in the same category that he was in a year or 2 ago. Lots of talent and potential. 20 year olds with talent are a dime a dozen around the world. He still has a long way to go to develop into a quality pro. That’s the point I was trying to make. He is a player I really like, but he is far from the finished article.

      • and michael bradley was playing in dutch league and making an impact at 18. Leo Messi was playing in La Liga for Barcelona at the same age winning trophies. Soccer is a young mans game. If we are ever going to produce a world class player these players need to become better at younger ages. Hence why the collegiate system doesn’t really work for soccer development, and MLS was wise to transition to an academy model.

  15. I have said it a 1,000 times before and this will make 1,001 times: IMO Agudelo has the skills to be a better attacking midfielder than a forward. It will be interesting to see how Hughes plays him. Exciting stuff to see another ambitious Yank head to Europe.

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  16. If true, would love to see Agudelo at Valencia. They’re in Miami now so maybe they can swing something. With Soldado going he could challenge for time… would be tough but the strikers they have left aren’t world-beaters. Pushing against other young talent like Canales could be what he needs to make that push for WC2014 more feasible.

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    • Um… he’s already signed a pre-contract with Stoke – so what is the point of talking about other teams? The only question is whether the Revs let him go now, or make him play out his contract. Going to another team isn’t an option, b/c he’s contracted to Stoke.

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      • That’s if this unconfirmed report is final…. until then all options are on the table. Never know if Agudelo’s agent floated this to force a move now instead of later.

  17. 20 years old, great skill. I think with the right coach he will be a top striker in our player pool very soon. When a player scores in his first CAP for the US, I think the hype can get out of control a bit, but we have seen him score some pretty special goals since then.

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  18. He will probably get more chances here than any other Premire League team. Crouch is officially old, Jerome is embroiled in a betting scandal and will probably get a ban. Kenwyne Jones is more the physical forward type. Shea is injured, which just leaves John Walters to compete with. He’s not bad, but he’s no Messi.

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  19. Don’t know about the fit but not surprised by the move. I think his potential is huge. If he develops the work ethic to go with it, he will be a force. 5 years from now (makes him 25) he may well be the first US world class striker.

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    • why do people keep saying things on this thread about his work ethic. I have not heard it from any journalist. It’s just something people/fans seem to imply on threads when a YOUNG (20 yrs old) prospect is not lighting up the league.

      please correct if I am wrong

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      • I agree. The only time I ever heard anything remotely resembling work ethic concerns was 3 seasons ago when Backe was still in charge.

        Agudelo seems to spend an unusual amount of time injured. That is the main issue I see.

      • I don’t think it’s solely because he was young and not lighting up the league. A lot of Red Bull supporters saw him getting crap from the training staff under Backe, and subsequently saw his playing time decrease. Granted, what the fans observe before and during the game doesn’t really mean much, but it’s probably where the rumors started.

        But yeah, since then there’s been no implication of a problem at all. From his performance actually on the pitch, I’d say that he may have a bit of a difficulty thinking he’s better than he actually is, and too often trying to pull off a fancy skill move instead of making a smart, simple play. But you could say that about a LOT of skilled young players.

  20. As a Red Bull fan, one of the reasons I loved the Aguedelo for Pearce trade was because the Goats were (are still paying) much of Pearce’s contract, and the Red Bulls retained a larger percentage of any potential transfer fee. The fact that he’s going to make a move away from MLS without commanding any significant fee is a shame not only for my Red Bulls, but also for the league as the guy is definitely worth some money given his potential alone. Missed opportunity…

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  21. Could the Revs leverage a low draft pick from Red Bull for transfering now? Seems like Red Bull have more incentive to sell Agudelo than the Revs do. I think he will fail miserably. Freddy Adu 2.0

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    • “I think he will fail miserably.” – What kind of stupid comment is this? What insider knowledge do you have to back this up with?

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      • You usually need to have some evidence to back up an opinion like that. Or you just look foolish and stupid. Like he does.

      • Again, where is this documented besides posters/respondents on newsboards. Not a personal attack, but I have yet to read it directly from a journalist.

        Correct me if I am wrong.

      • So what your saying is, you have to be mature to be a successful footballer? I believe there are plenty of pros who would beg to differ.

      • Ross…the guy is asking for actual reported instances of immaturity. Not conjecture or speculation, but actual credible reports. You know, the same kind of “evidence” you were demanding from MLS Soccer Talker about in the previous comment in this thread.

      • Stoke wont get relegated as they are too good to get relegated. They have brought a recognised left back who is really good and a young defender from barcelona so I dont know how you think they will get relegated. Or you basing your decision because mark hughes is there? Well that’s not really fair to judge before he has even started

      • No lower half team should ever feel safe. Look at what happened to Newcastle last season and how the talent completely failed at QPR. They could absolutely get relegated. I agree they have more than enough talent to stay up but complacency will see them fighting to stay in the Premier league

    • Whatever you want to call them, they are now my favorite English team. Wouldn’t it be awesome if all 5 players played at once! Let’s hope Mark Hughes has higher regard for them than he had for Dempsey. If I recall correctly, when Hughes took over at Fulham Dempsey started the season on the bench. Then a couple of months later when Dempsey was a starter Hughes took him off early and the crowd began chanting, You don’t know what you’re doing.” I think that was the season Clint scored 13 goals and Hughes played him almost every minute after the crowd chanting incident.

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      • By all appearances Hughes held Clint in higher regard than Roy Hodgson. It’s little remembered by many US soccer fans, but Clint was not in Hodgson’s starting 11 at the end of his tenure (for example, check out the lineup for the Europa Cup final). Hughes took over Fulham very late in the summer and had almost no preseason so he treated the first few league matches as something of a preseason, trying out different lineups. He started basically the Europa Cup final squad in his first match, and then gave Clint a start in the next match (a home fixture against Manchester United, mind you). After trying a different lineup in the 3rd match of the season, Hughes made Clint a fixture in his starting 11.

  22. Let’s assume he finishes the MLS season with the Revs. How soon can he head to Stoke to just train? Since his contract with MLS runs until Dec 31, is he not allowed, legally, to head to Stoke earlier?

    As for the move, as with all moves, will he get playing time. Getting loaned out from Jan to May to a Championship club would be a good move, IMHO. Then he could get a full pre-season with Stoke. And remember, he’s only 20.

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  23. I think it’s a good, safe move. A team with other Americans who can help him along and show him the ropes. Especially Cameron who has established himself as a regular starter there. Not a lot of risk, but a lot of reward potential.

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    • I somewhat disagree. I think there is a moderate amount of risk for a few reasons. First, Juan has a lot to learn and the EPL is more of a sink or swim league than a teaching league like the Eridivisie. He may be making mistakes but not have anyone to take the time and explain exactly what he’s doing wrong, how to fix it and how his role fits into the whole scheme the way Jozy had with Verbeek. He also Ned’s to learn how to train properly and many EPL setups take that for granted and don’t bother to help players with that aspect. I have no idea about Mark Hughes’ track record for developing young players. Does anyone know?

      Second, Juan has had some problems with nagging injuries and the EPL is a very physical
      League. He might be better off with a less physical league while he grows into his body.

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  24. I appreciate that it has not been as large an obstacle in the last few years, but why wouldn’t getting a work permit be an issue?

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    • I was wondering the same however the FA has been pretty easy on Americans. Cameron and Shea didn’t really meet the requirements either. However at any point I guess they could change there mind and deny a player.

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      • It’s not the FA, you know, it’s the Home Office. And as a general rule, PL clubs get waivers for borderline cases.

  25. There is no reason for the Revs not to let him go now. He’s an interesting case – talent and skill, but never really lit up MLS like you’d hope. Yet I feel optimistic about him making the jump.

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    • This sums about sums him up. Oddly, I felt the same about Stuart Holden. He had the skill (and great off the ball movement) in MLS, but he wasn’t star every game like a Brek Shea or a Landon Donovan.

      Better question now becomes, who gets on the field for Stoke first; Edu, Agudelo, or Shea. All of which are nursing injuries, I believe.

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      • True & Silly! Your expectations are ridiculous. While Holden did control games in MLS he was a box to box midfielder expected to do so, whereas, Agudelo is a striker expected to score goals not get embroiled in midfield play!

    • There is no reason other than Agudelo’s happiness (if he wants to fight for an early release) for the Revs to let him go early. They won’t get much cash from the transfer: “according to SBI sources, they only own a small percentage of his sale rights (with the New York Red Bulls still holding a large portion).” Also the Revs are in a playoff fight and their offense is far more dangerous when Agudelo plays.

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      • If MLS wants it to happen, they’ll figure out a way. Definitely better for MLS and Agudelo if he goes now.

      • Its only better for MLS if Stoke pays up. Otherwise Agudelo would have to honor his contract like Dempsey did.

      • What always make me laugh about these statements is that the Revs don’t really have a choice. This is the league’s decision. Period. They own the majority interest in both teams. They ask the teams to sit down and work it out, but if they want it to happen, it will, regardless of whether the Revs and Red Bulls come to an agreement.

    • They do want to make the playoffs, so there may not be enough financial incentive to make it worth while. Such is the nature of not owning the majority of the sell off rights.

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    • Totally disagree. When he played, the Revs looked like a different team. He added a lot. Selling him for some small transfer is stupid since we’re 300K under the salary cap now. What the @ell would we do with more money

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      • Did you really ask “what would we do with the money”? Cash is cash, maybe they just want to make a profit. You don’t always have to spend it on the team. The owners can have an extra weekend get away with their families.

    • I don’t see any reason Stoke would want to pay for him. I’m guessing they don’t plan on really using him until next season. So, he’d essentially be on loan for the rest of the season. Seems to make sense for both parties if he stays in MLS, since the Revs have been much better with him on the field.

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    • Bull – he has had nagging injuries that have kept him from seeing his potential short-term. He came to New England, they won. Now that he is not playing, they are mediocre again. While at Chivas, they were winning. Once he was off the field, they started losing.

      He had to compete with Henry and Hans Bakke-in-Europe at NYRB.

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  26. Traditionally, this move would have been a poor one. Stoke are a muscle before technique, defense first club. However, Hughes is trying to change that and has brought some attacking flair to the team.

    I see Agudelo as a technique player so I would have preferred him to finesse that in Portugal or Holland. But you can’t offer a 20 year old the Premier League and not expect him to grab it.

    Hopefully he goes over now. Waiting until January would probably mean he doesn’t see much time this PL season. And before the World Cup, I’m sure Agudelo feels he still has a chance to make the plane.

    It’ll help the US team to have four players at Stoke. Hopefully Agudelo and Shea can find some form together.

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    • Yep, it’s not a good fit for him at Stoke due to the style they play. These teams would fit him better: Swansea, Norwich, West Ham, & Southampton. They all play attractive soccer on the ground. I didn’t mention the bigger teams since there is too much competition for places.

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      • Like Josh said, new manager this season so a new style. Hughes still has a plethora of large bodies, so there may be some remnant of Tony there but Mark is a more typical EPL manager in style. Not sure that’s necessarily a good thing either, but apparently he really likes Juan and has eyed him for some time. That’s a plus, but ideally I would have liked him to spend two years in the Eridivisie.

      • You clear have no idea. The reason stoke are targeting players like this is so that the team can change there style to a more free flowing on the ground game do you not realise that this isnt pulis’ team anymore ? Watch there pre season games on youtube befor you judge stokes style.

      • Do you think Hughes is going to change their style? Did you see him at Blackburn? Tell me how that went.

      • I’m referring to the West Ham days when they produced guys like Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Jermaine Defoe, Rio Ferdinand. They sold all of them and look where they are now.

      • “Agudelo will be joining a Stoke City side that could see him as a speed forward replacement for retired English star Michael Owen”.

        So you see, as Ives points out, Juan will have a ready-made, permanent seat on the bench for him… might even still be warm.

      • The problem isn’t West Ham but Allardyce. West Ham have always played attractive soccer until Allardyce. Allardyce and his route 1 football is suitable for promotion from the Championship but nobody enjoys watching that stuff in the EPL. Even JJ Okocha was out of place at Bolton with the way they played.

    • He isn’t likely to see much time at Stoke in the next year. Its a long term move for both parties. Ideally he could make the transfer immediately, train with Stoke/ adjust to premier league life, get a January loan for PT and come back ready to compete for a spot in the rotation next summer.

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      • It’s possible he could be a dynamic, speedy off the bench guy if he learns the ropes quickly. Not sure how Hughes is with young players. Some managers like to find a few minutes for their young playmakers even if they aren’t as tactically aware as they should be. I suspect Juan needs to learn how to train first, though.

      • Yeah its possible he could be used in that role if he catches on quickly. I just don’t see him making the jump from talented but inconsistent MLS player to Premier League player that quickly. Especially if Stoke is fighting relegation. Who knows though? Its entirely possible he thrives in the new environment and finds a role there. He certainly has the talent to do so.

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