This was just posted in YA Winter Transfers thread. Unsubstantial clearly, but interesting no less considering where it's coming from. Being looked at as a left back? What do folks think about this.
I read the LB comment as entirely speculation on Twellman's part. Fulham is the one team I remember being linked strongly with Shea in the past. Don't know how interested they still are, if that was indeed real.
I'll just throw my random hat in the ring and say Aston Villa...god knows they are in terrible need of attacking gumption from all outside positions
Is Twellman someone that is usually in the know? Well I assume some club is betting they could get him at a cut rate price due to his slump. Fulham would be nice. I don't know how MLS/FC Dallas would respond to an offer though.
I've decided to believe that FCD responds to all transfer offers by saying, "Look, you're 20% under reasonable value. But remember that we're throwing in a year of free Pizza Hut. And that includes delivery."
Susaeta? that user always claimed Shea was a LB. I think he is one of those players who has to attack. Just how he is wired. Don't think he is capable as anything but out and out attacker. In fact I would play him the way Spurs play Ade where he is a hold up man who can go right/left wing as well. at any rate, I would want Shea attacking the goal rather than defending it.
This is the first time I can recall him kicking off a rumor, which probably lends to his credibility. He's not an idle chatterer. Left back? I don't know. He's kind of a poor man's Gareth Bale and Bale started at LB. Obviously Brek is behind his developmental curve, but it wouldn't be terrible. Fab plays LM at Hoffenheim, so if Brek pans out there, he could slot in behind Fab. I concur w/Sam in that I'd keep him in the attack.
Well it is true that FCD allowed their best centerback at the time, George John, go on trial at Blackburn in the middle of their season a while ago. Basically putting a big hole in their backline. Then he came back, and they allowed him to go on loan to West Ham. FCD just so rarely has any players worthy of an interesting Euro transfer rumor that we dont' know what to do with ourselves!!!! If the price is right, I think they'd sell Brek Shea. I mean, his production last year was significantly less impactful than it was the previous season (when he finished in the top 3 in MVP voting). Yes, people blame his foot problems. But it just didn't seem like he had the same fire as well. I can tell you that FCD is hard up against the salary cap (there's reportedly another forward coming from Mexico too). If the transfer is coming from a premier league club, then we at least need to entertain the notion of selling him. It's not like the Brek Shea of 2012 is irreplaceable. As far as defense goes, we've talked about it ad naseum. Brek does have a defender's body. He's 6'3", meaning he's taller than a guy like Gareth Bale by a couple of inches. He has the necessary pace and trickeration to play on the wing in MLS, but I don't have a problem if people want to doubt whether he does at a higher level like the premier league. Remember that FCD and Schellas even experimented with Brek at centerback for a short period. And Brek did play some left back a few years ago while the club was still looking for an ideal position for him.
Off the top of my head, the only clubs I can think who need a LB are Villa, Fulham (Riise is off), Wigan or Stoke perhaps
Plus, he and Shellas aren't exactly the best of buds. In fairness, left fullback in the EPL is a different position than in MLS - some top EPL wide men spend 2/3rd of their time in the opponent's half.
Perhaps some clubs are taking notice of a certain really successful, tall fullback at Stoke and want to replicate that feat?
What I think has really perked up EPL attention is that Cameron went straight into the lineup. Typically, MLS field players have needed about a year before they were deemed ready. Also, they saw an above average MLS player with a few caps to his name slot immediately into the EPL. In addition, his development is 100% typical MLS background. No ex-pro dad. No European background. No U-20 or U-23 youth team experience. In essence, Cameron is nearly exclusively an MLS product. I'd have to say that we may see much more attention from EPL.
TaylorTwellman Stoke and FC Dallas have come to terms for the sale of Brek Shea. Pending on 2 days of physical testing he will be sold to EPL. $3.5m range
Hey substitute college for MLS experience and you described me. So you are giving me, at 30 yrs. old, hope of latching on and starting for an EPL side. Can you be my agent???
I don't think he's ready, Stoke is a bad move IMO. This will not help his passing. A lot of people will jump for joy because it's EPL and they get to watch him.
Doesn't Etherington play the position that Shea would play? I hope this doesn't end with him rotting on the bench for a year.
Not sure if good move or not. He would be moving to a club where he could get minutes and hopefully improve.
Would love to be proven wrong, but so far on twitter people are calling this a great move solely due to it's the EPL. Not a good fit for his development at this time IMO.
Stoke currently goes with something like this: BegovicCameron - Shawcross - Huth - WilkinsonWalters - Whelan - N'Zonzi - Adam - EtheringtonJones Maybe he could slot in at Walters' slot in an inverted role since Walters is essentially playing out of position in the midfield. Walters is a TP favorite if I recall correctly though.