We will see, but I think the question is how big of a drop off there will be, not if. (Of course, it also depends on if the Red Bulls can find somebody comparable and if they decide to spend the money).
My memory of BWP in England was that in the Premiership and Championship he had the reputation as a reasonably promosing youngster, but never moved beyond this tag and ultimately he failed to make the grade in either the Premiership or the Championship. At League One he was a decent striker, but at no time close to being top scorer in League One. I saw him play in the Championship years ago, he's not without talent - if you had to describe him you'd say he was a fairly similar player to his dad, but not as good (his dad was very good). I'm actually not surprised he's done well in the MLS as he's precisely the kind of player given the right set of circumstances could exceed what he's done in England. I think Shea is better physically than BWP, but not as talented. However I think back in the MLS he could probably do a lot more than he has done in England.
More than decent record for Plymouth and Charlton, think thats definitely his level. I agree about his dad, similair players, but where his dad only needed one chance, Bradley needs 2 or 3. Always think we underused Ian for England, Venables never seemed to rate him
When an American fan in one of the English club boards mention some MLS player, as a possible signing, the English fans laugh and reply, "MLS? Isn't that the league where Wright-Phillips, Bradley, mind, not Shaun, is the top scorer? That lad couldn't cut it in the Championship here! I guess League 1 is about MLS level then. So no, we don't want {whatever MLS player was proposed}."
Have you heard or read anything about Agudelo from the Stoke end of it? There have been some rumblings that he's waiting it out and trying to get an EU passport for January so he can sign with Stoke.
Gotta say maybe it's for the best but there must have been decent offers for him somewhere in Europe but maybe the $$$ wasn't worth it to him.
Not a whisper. No point, he wont get a work permit until he plays more games for the US side and he wont get games until he signs for another club. England is essentially closed to him unless he can find some long lost relative with an EU passport. Its a joke considering the players Chelsea have been allowed to bring in
Henry can make most any defense look League 1 level. What a player. Now, a little credit belongs to guys like Dax for allowing them freedom up front. When Cahill was inserted into the mix it didn't work as well. BWP is a good MLS scorer. I saw him finish some great goals. But early in the season, you saw what I'm sure was seen a lot in England. He looked like a wasted signing for about a month or so until he got it rolling.
Yep. I'm counting on that already. But, in short, BWP's record this year has not been good PR for the MLS.
Give it a rest FFS. "Rumblings" indeed. From who? You? "Trying" is one thing. "Getting" is another. And if he doesn't get it, where is he? And anyway, there was nothing to stop him from signing a 1 or 2-year deal with a buy-out clause with Utrecht or Anderlecht while he pursued his EU passport fantasy. Agudelo failed at a trial - not training, a trial - at Wolves because it would take too long to get him fit enough for last season's D3 champs. He's - at least - 2 months away from match fitness for an EPL team. The Stoke boat sailed long ago. At this stage, even if he gets a passport, it's bottom-third of the Championship
I didn't attempt to read your post once I saw what you did. Give it a rest. You really have something against Agudelo. All I did was ask a question with no attempt to add any opinion into it. All I was looking for was that guy to answer. You don't need to derail the thread by turning this into a big discussion about Agudelo.
I never understand this point of view. Did the fact that Jay Demerit could not even get an MLS team to draft or sign him even though he was in the Chicago Fire's youth system and then him eventually ending up on an EPL team mean it was bad PR for the EPL? All over the world, every year, players change leagues/teams/countries etc, and sometimes the player is significantly better, sometimes he is significantly worse. When this happens, it is not bad PR for the league he left if he then sucks in the new league (see Lothar Mattaeus) nor should it be bad PR for a league he joins if he is successful (like BWP has been).
I'd be very surprised if Agudelo did not turn up at Stoke in early January. Stoke still want him. He still wants Stoke. And the mechanism to get the Cypriot passport seems straightforward if the requisite money is put forward.
People are fickle and will buy into anything that supports their prejudices. Since the narrative in England is that the MLS = League 1, the fact that BWP, a player who failed at the Championship level and above, is having a good season in England, will be cited for now and the next couple of years. Not that they need such a comparison to groan every time a MLSer is rumored to go to their club.
Well, if the Orlando rumors are true, then he's about to come back to MLS and earn back his spot on the USMNT.
Amen. I've never understood all of the guff the kid took for not being able to cut it in the biggest soccer league in the world. Welcome back, and here's to hoping he can liven up the Nat's ultra stagnant offense.