Juan Agudelo is American soccer’s “next big thing.” His budding career and his goal against Argentina suggest the hype may be legit. Not surprisingly, the rumor mill has started churning. Spanish daily Marca corroborated earlier reports linking him to Atletico Madrid. He might be ready, but that does not mean he should leave.

First, it’s unclear how serious Atletico is. The initial reports cited similar interest in Brek Shea and Teal Bunbury, who played on the same Generation Adidas team with Agudelo last summer. The Spanish club’s normal route is to send players on loan to develop, unless they’re born ready (Sergio Aguero). They already have three young forwards out on loan. It’s conceivable Atletico could buy him, then send him straight back to MLS on a loan deal.

I don’t see Agudelo moving this summer, unless it’s an outrageous bid, something north of the $10 million for Jozy Altidore. Agudelo came from the Red Bulls’ academy. The next step in mature soccer league-dom for MLS is to produce its own world-class talent (and have that world-class talent produce for the league). He’s the poster-child. The Red Bulls sold both Altidore and Michael Bradley at 18.  Now trying to be a legitimate soccer club, they may hold onto him longer.

The easy parallel example is Jozy Altidore, which would suggest Agudelo should stay in MLS. However that’s too structural a view of Altidore’s failures. Europe is a different animal. In MLS, there’s not much depth. If you have ability, you’re playing. In Europe, you have to carry yourself as a professional and fight your way into the team. Some guys thrive under that (Dempsey, Holden). Players who are unprepared mentally for it can struggle (Donovan in Germany).

Villarreal hasn’t helped Jozy much, but he hasn’t given them a reason to bother. He’s made four stops and has yet to show the dedication to catch on at that level. His struggles are his own and not necessarily a bellwether for Agudelo.

Agudelo moves fluidly. He has skill. He has a maturity and power to his game, but it’s important to remember he’s still a kid, even by soccer standards. He just turned 18 in November. He has played ten professional games and scored once. His ability excites the salivary glands, but he needs time to settle down.

Agudelo might be ready to move abroad, but he and MLS should be patient. A year spent learning from Thierry Henry can’t be a bad thing. For him, it’s worth waiting to make the right move, rather than the available one. For the league, if he starts tearing it up on a consistent basis, they have a legitimate star.

[Photo via Getty]