People are saying how poor he was last year and this is true. But he was playing hurt for most of the year and is not happy in Dallas.

The best thing in the world right now for Shea would be'

1) to get traded within MLS
2) get healthy
3) If he can start the year in his 2011 form, MLS will have no issues getting the $$ they want.

If Shea is playing at his 2011 level, he is worth more than Stoke's offer. If he's playing at his 2012 level, he is not worth what MLS wants.

It's tough to value a player like Shea right now who is coming off a season playing hurt as well as a significant foot surgery. Both Stoke and MLS can make a case as to where they value Shea. The only thing is that MLS holds the cards. If they feel he is worth more, they can just let him go out and prove it this season. But for that to happen, I think he needs to leave Dallas.

I'm not going to dump on MLS either. They have the right to play hardball for their players. People can say the system of having MLS in charge of the contracts as opposed to the clubs has merit but I understand it. In a time where most leagues have several teams with crappy finances and out of control debt, the MLS can't afford that. A little uniformity makes sense from a business perspective.

That being said, what is problematic with MLS's handling of the situation is that FCD and Stoke apparently reached an agreement only to have MLS kill the deal. Why even let Dallas negotiate? MLS should either negotiate themselves or give Dallas a mimimum transfer fee for Shea and then let them negotiate the deal with that condition. MLS being in charge is okay but some sort of communication needs to be better here. No question about.

A lot of American fans want Shea to make this jump to the EPL and that's fine. But remember this. Players who are playing well in MLS tend to do when they leave. Guys like Holden and Cameron were doing well when they left and went on to play well immediately for their new European teams. Players who are not playing well in MLS tend to do poorly when they leave the league. Look at Tim Ream, Chad Barrett, etc. They weren't playing well when they left MLS and have struggled at their new clubs. It's not really surprising.

But Shea isn't playing well right now, so is it the best time for him to move? I like it when players make big moves but timing is always important. I'd rather Shea be back to his old self before making the move.

I think American fans would generally like the idea of calling this deal off now to allow Shea to get his form back here. If he gets back to his 2011 self, then there will be no shortage of offers for him and most likely at a higher price. If Shea never returns to his 2011 form, then he wasn't going to make it in the EPL anyway.

Shea's been a Young DP for a few months now. Really liking the Seattle suggestion though. I think he would do well there.

http://fcdnation.com/fc-dallas-news/brek-shea...

Yeah id rather see an in form shea move to europe for the right price with the best team possible rather than for the stoke deal go threw..at his top form he could do better. If that means leaving dallas and getting traded so be it.

I think this is the key. Dallas is a terrible place for him to develop

Hmmmmm.... Maybe Columbus will try and deal Duka to Dallas for Shea? Aren't they both owned by the Hunts

He didn't develop there last year and seemed really frustrated there. It just doesn't seem to be a good fit for him.

this is the biggest problem. He is a young player who needs some good senior leadership/rolemodels