Juan Agudelo wants to move overseas, but he’s better off sticking with the MLS and New York City Football Club.
Former Major League Soccer up-and-coming star Juan Agudelo would do well to take a bit of advice this fall.
England can wait for the forward.
As explained in a recent piece produced by the always brilliant Steven Goff of the Washington Post, Agudelo dreams of featuring for a top-flight side located in Europe. The problem is that the once MLS journeyman can’t land a work permit overseas. Premier League side Stoke City became so convinced that Agudelo was not going to acquire his permit anytime soon that the club allowed the American to become a free agent this past summer.
Agudelo is apparently so keen on turning his hopes into reality as quickly as possible that he is looking into buying property in Cyprus in order to obtain an EU passport.
Not only is such a transaction unnecessary. It may be unwise for the youngster.
Agudelo will turn 22-years old on November 23. He will be entering his footballing prime near the end of this decade. Agudelo also hasn’t played in a competitive match in five months, and it is unclear to those of us not in his camp what offers from top clubs are on the table.
Enter New York City Football Club.
The MLS expansion side that will begin on-the-field operations next spring are, according to Goff, interested in Agudelo. While NYCFC signing Agudelo tomorrow would do little for the forward participating in meaningful matches in 2014, it could potentially set him up for a significant payday from an English Premier League club down the road.
Not that money will be an issue for the MLS franchise. NYCFC are owned by Manchester City (City Football Group) and the New York Yankees, and the club could easily overpay for Agudelo’s services.
Oct 27, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; New England Revolution forward Juan Agudelo (10) dribbles the ball in the game against the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium. The New England Revolution win 1-0 Columbus Crew. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports
NYCFC signing Agudelo at whatever price the club deems necessary makes all kind of sense for the team. Agudelo, originally from Colombia, learned the game of soccer while growing up in New Jersey. He made his way through the academy of the New York Red Bulls, and Agudelo is a familiar name to local soccer diehards.
While he is a work in progress, Agudelo also happens to be a naturally gifted forward.
His stints at Chivas USA and New England Revolution did not go to his liking despite his notching a combined 12 league goals over 2012-13, and there is a broad perception that Agudelo’s alleged ego is his worst enemy. Go back and watch the goals Agudelo scored against Seattle Sounders and DC United while with the Red Bulls.
The young man has it, but finding the ideal situation that will mold him as a player and as a man is a must if Agudelo is to reach his high ceiling.
Why isn’t that situation at NYCFC?
Jason Kreis is regarded as being one of the best coaches in all of MLS, and he is at the expansion club. You’d have to look far and wide to find better role models for Agudelo than NYCFC designated players Frank Lampard and David Villa — so long as those two aren’t coming to the city that doesn’t sleep only to cash in on million-dollar deals that they wouldn’t have netted elsewhere.
Add in that the duo of Villa and Agudelo could make for quite the partnership up front, and NYCFC reaching out to the player’s camp becomes even more logical.
The potential benefits for Agudelo joining NYCFC are clear. MLS back lines are, by and large, leaky. Goalkeeper Luis Robles of the Red Bulls should be a MLS Most Valuable Player candidate considering the amount of times he has saved his team points in 2014, and Robles is hardly the only ‘keeper in the league routinely hung out to dry by teammates.
Agudelo would, with NYCFC, have opportunities to create goals, which could result in United States Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann calling Agudelo up for future squads, which could lead to Premier League clubs taking notice of the front man.
Agudelo must, for the sake of his career and of his ambitions, at least pick up the phone if NYCFC come calling. That team with its financial resources will not be in the business of begging for a player, especially for one who has done so little of note on the pitch in recent memory.
Perhaps Agudelo will find his true home at NYCFC. Maybe, as is the case for a plethora of young individuals who believe that they know exactly what they want despite having so little life experience, Agudelo will learn that his heart’s desire was not what he first thought it was. It’s possible his home and his heart are in the Big Apple.
What’s the worst that happens, Juan, if you sign for NYCFC? It won’t work out for you or for the club? No biggie.
At least you’ll have more money for that land in Cyprus.
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