Juan Agudelo in "search" of a Club

Word is they are offloading Jones, and Crouch is no longer a 90 minute player. Jerome and Walters are the real competition here. Depending on who's in form at a given time, and with cup ties to consider, Agudelo could see minutes at Stoke. The challenge is to make the most of them.

 

I think he's available to sign now on his free if he wants right? But otherwise, yah, great point I hadn't thought about.

 

If the manager wants him; he'll play.

Hughes didn't sign those guys. And I think, besides Crouch and Walters, most of those guys have been subpar for multiple seasons.

 

I don't understand this. Free transfer or transfer fee, Stoke still has to convince Juan to go there.

 

Both Jones and Crouch are veteran PL strikers and then there's Walters and Cameron who can play up front too. I'm not sure what Crystal Palace's striker situation is but that might be a more appealing option. If he does sign with Stoke, I'd hope they loan him out to another league or a Championship club where he can get consistent PT.

 

Then you run the risk of having to fight for his signature. I would imagine there will be a couple suitors and i would think Celtic would have the pockets to compete with Stoke.

 

Celtic or Stoke. Not bad for Juan

 

Clubs can negotiate directly with Juan Agudelo right now. You can sign a pre-contract with a club as long as you are within 6 months of being a free agent, which he is. So if Stoke convinces Agudelo to sign, they have nothing to worry about.

So yeah, their will be a fight for his signature, but unless Agudelo is really dead set on leaving MLS this transfer window, the fight shouldn't be one that inflates his transfer fee. But hey, we'll see.

 

Heard he's refused to sign an extension so there's intent to leave MLS. Is he ready for EPL? IMO no. He needs work, still raw but has enough talent to contribute to Stoke City down the road, just not this season.

 

Not exactly ready but Stoke isn't loaded with attacking talent, so if he works at it, he can get some appearances for them. Just have to adapt quickly and mesh with their team. Hopefully this can get done before the season starts.

 

I can see some sub appearances yes but he's of course not first choice/starter material at the moment.

 

They all been pretty inconsistent.

Crouch was player of the year in 2011-12, but dropped off last year as the service from midfield vanished. Probably too old and slow to play as a lone striker anymore.

Jones was brilliant between June and October 2010, and March and May 2011, doing sod all in between. He then spent 18 months as backup to Crouch, won his place back in November 2012, and performed really well. Pulis then dropped him for no reason in January, and he never got a look in. Personally, I think hes by far our best striker, and hes been very poorly treated.

Jerome is a good sub, stretches teams with his pace, but has never performed when hes started a game, which make his recent crying about Pulis and favourites a bit rich.

Walters was good for 6 months two years ago. He a decent backup forward, and he works hard, but hes just not good enough

 

Plus CL

 

Out of those sides I would order them as follows in terms of where I'd like to see Juan:

1. Celtic (CL club with a proven track record of developing young talent under Lennon)
2. Sunderland (PDC would loan him out and nurture his development until ready for 1st team)
3. Stoke (not sure of pressure of expectations, Hughes may expect too much too soon)
4. Aberdeen (not a chance in hell, would be better off playing for the Revs)

Though I'd rather Juan go to the Eredivisie or Danish Superliga for his first European stop.

 

I'm not sure that Agudelo isn't ready for the PL. Honestly, the guys has looked really, really good when he can actually stay on the field. Injuries leave me with absolutely no idea where this guys current level is, honestly, I'd be more concerned with injuries at Stoke, as fragile as he is, and as physical as the EPL tends to be.

 

He probably isn't tbh, but Stoke is apparently really hankering for him for some reason. Still not sure if it's a good fit.

 

If he stays healthy he can fit in a multitude of styles. That is, after all why he's been so hyped.

 

is he even playing well i mls? I haven't seen him his year really.

 

yeh he has been doin well, knocked in some goals got a few assists despite a number of injuries and the unexpected move from chivas to New England.

 

Yeah, he's looked good, I've thought. He could be the difference between New England making the playoffs and just missing out this season. Injury has limited him though.

 

Signing at Crystal Palace also means you get to live in London as opposed to Stoke-on-Trent, which is about the population of Birmingham, AL.

I'm sure Stoke is nice and quaint and friendly, but it ain't London. If I were young and rich I know where I'd rather live.

 

I think it's pretty inevitable that Juan moves across the pond sometime soon.

I also think it's also important for US Soccer fans to notice and appreciate our depth right now at some positions. I mean, a "fringe" USMNT player (yes I know injuries/age etc) is receiving interest from clubs like Celtic and Stoke.

 

What US player isn't recieving interest from Stoke. lol.