The poisoned chalice that is the player drain

Columnist

By Adrian Musolino, 19 Sep 2009 Adrian Musolino is a Roar Expert

Tagged:: A-League, Asian Football Confederation, Danny Allsopp, FFA, football, Lucas Neill, Socceroos

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Uruguay goalkeeper Fabian Carini, second from left, is airborne as he takes the ball away from Australia's Danny Allsopp during their soccer international in Sydney, Saturday, June 2, 2007. Uruguay won 2-1. AP Photo/Mark Baker

As Danny Allsopp counts his cash in the Arabian desert, the Australian football community is left to ponder the impact the cashed up Middle East will have on its ability to sustain and attract star players.

Combined with the Asian Football Confederation’s “3+1″ rule, the increased spending of Middle Eastern investors in their local leagues, as opposed to their exploits in foreign leagues, puts the spotlight firmly on the player drain.

The fact of the matter is even if the FFA completely abolishes the salary cap, there is no way A-League clubs can compete with the riches on offer in the Middle East.

Adam Griffiths is being paid $1.2 million a season by Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab and Allsopp will net approximately $1million a year from Qatari side Al-Rayyan Sports Club.

Considering Allsopp and Griffiths aren’t exactly the best the A-League could offer, and as the Middle East continues its investment in its local competitions, the situation will only worsen.

Footballers know their careers have a use by date and we shouldn’t denigrate them for their decision to cash in on the riches available elsewhere.

But loyalty counts for a lot in Australian sport and consistently losing players won’t help franchises that are still trying to build community support.

The cult of personality can make a franchise and the fact is Australian sports fans are relatively unaccustomed to such poaching.

It also only fosters the negative perceptions of a ‘weak’ A-League from doubters who underestimate the scope of the world game.

The other side of the argument is that the interest shown in foreign leagues is a sign of the growing technical standard of the A-League.

I’m not so sure of this argument.

There is no denying the talent of the likes of Griffiths and Allsopp, but the A-League is increasingly a target because it can’t compete with the economics of other leagues.

Also, the argument that Aussie players will benefit from such international experience doesn’t necessarily apply in this case. As opposed to the benefit of Aussie players leaving for Europe, the technical standard of the Middle East isn’t comparable.

Lets just hope the players attracted to the Middle East are those that aren’t necessarily in contention for Socceroos spots but rather erstwhile options.

However, the proponents of the positive elements of the player drain are correct in saying that it gives youngsters their chance at A-League stardom.

A case in point is Robbie Kruse; ten years younger than Allsopp who gets his chance to make his mark with the Victory following an acrimonious end to his time at the Roar.

Comparing the current generation of players emerging from the NYL or state leagues to those who were forced to make the backward step into state leagues when the NSL collapsed, at least the former are getting their chance to develop in a competitive league at a younger age.

Whether the increased interest of foreign leagues is good or bad for the A-League is debatable.

But whether we like it or not it’s inevitable that players will leave.

As is being shown by Socceroos captain Lucas Neill, money talks very loudly in football.

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The Crowd Says (15) | Page 1 of Comments

agga78 said | September 19th 2009 @ 9:42am | Report comment

Over the past 4 seasons the A league has lost some great players Carle, Carney and Rukavitsa to name a few, but imo the league is 100 times better than when these guys were here. After last season we lost a host of players to Asian teams North and Joel Griffiths come to mind, both leaders at their club. But again the standard imo has risen, not only has the standard risen, but clubs are making great money off players who are coming to the latter stages of their career. 800K for Danny Allsopp is a great bit of business for MVFC, these transfers are allowing clubs to survive 1st, but it also gives clubs the ability to attract either Aussies plying their trade in lower leagues in Europe or quality foreginers, because playing in the A league is a great shop window for players who are looking for bigger money elsewhere either in Asia for older players or Europe for younger ones. These transfers will allow A league teams to survive and thrive into the future when the production line of players really ramps up in the next 10 years,we are starting at a low base and already we are getting great money for average players . In 10 years A league teams may be commanding 2-3 Million dollars for young exciting players.

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David said | September 19th 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment

I agree with Agga78 sell off old players too rich gulf clubs use the money to continue to grow the standard of the A-league and produce better youth that can perhaps one day play in Europes best leagues.

Allsop and griffen were old anyway our young players arnt interested in playing in the middle east.

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Ben of Phnom Penh said | September 19th 2009 @ 10:57am | Report comment

If we can improve player development then we will have the talent coming through, afforded opportunities as you noted, to replace those departing. An increasing demand for Australian players is healthy for all; we just need to concentrate on maintaining supply.

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- DT said | September 21st 2009 @ 9:44am | Report comment
  
  Excellent point, Ben, and brings to mind the structure of a club like Ajax, which has built considerable success over many years on youth development – all the while losing their best players to cashed up clubs from bigger leagues. This has to be the long-term model for the A-League, and the cash brought in by selling the likes of Allsopp and Smeltz must be spent on attracting and developing the next generation.
  
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megatron said | September 19th 2009 @ 12:51pm | Report comment

I think losing players, although good for development, is bad cause the fans lose some of their fave stars and so it makes it a bit more difficult to build a bond with the team.

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albe said | September 19th 2009 @ 1:50pm | Report comment

as said you’ve only got to look at the players that have left in past years to see this isn’t a dire situation. In fact, its part and parcel of the game which football fans here are already very familiar with. (Not sure who this mythical “Australian sports fan” is that u refer to…)
Even without that much investment in young players by A-League clubs, we replace the departing guys pretty well. Imagine if we start getting proper academies up and running at each club.
I’d be more concerned if these Qatari clubs weren’t coming in for some of our players.

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Victer said | September 19th 2009 @ 4:42pm | Report comment

This may open the gate for increases in foreign player quotas for a-league clubs, especially if there is more expansion. There are still aussie players who just aren’t up to scratch, clubs must be given more of a chance to find the next hernandez.

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Joe FC said | September 19th 2009 @ 5:14pm | Report comment

I think albe’s last sentence sums it up, Australian footballers are in demand and that must be a good thing for the overall health of the game in this country. It would be a mistake Adrian to suggest that Middle East clubs spend money recklessly on players of poor quality. Their due diligence will be no less rigorous then that of Manchester United or Sydney FC. It’s also wrong to imply that technical skill will not improve by merely competing against others of similar ability. The more often we play the better we get. As for worrying about the negative perceptions of the doubters, who cares what they think anyway.
Perhaps the real issue is that Australian football and the HAL are not one and the same. It’s possible for one to benefit and not the other. We are part of the world and we are playing the world game so we adapt the best we can. I am quite confident that with good management we can supply new blood to replace departing players, who it should be remembered are not necessarily lost forever. I think there is good reason to be cautiously optimistic about the future of the HAL.

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Scott B said | September 19th 2009 @ 6:29pm | Report comment

Wow, so many players leaving….no way. My club european club has had over 50, 50 players in the starting 11 over the past 4 years. Its tough but at the end of the day, I support the club more than the players,

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clayton said | September 19th 2009 @ 9:08pm | Report comment

every player that leaves to play professional football overseas expands the pro player pool. the larger the pool of players that gets to play professional football, the better. course, you need the talent coming through, but i think will happen.

congrats danny, good luck robbie.

if things can continue as they are, then more players will go into asia, into europe. and every young pro-potential athlete in oz who is trying to choose between afl (400 something pro players), rugby union or rugby league or soccer (similar numbers? i dunno), will probably choose soccer because it will have the largest pool of pro players, hence the best chance of making a living from a sport you love.

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Pippinu said | September 19th 2009 @ 10:27pm | Report comment

I actually don’t understand where this article is heading.

At the end of the last season we were discussing the number of Australians going overseas, but in the off season we saw some of the very best imports we’ve ever seen, including the return of about 6 current Socceroos (maybe more).

So why on Earth are we talking about Australians going overseas again? I don’t quite see what the issue is.

It’s been a big merry go round for 20 years now – that’s the way it will always be.

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- Dogs Of War said | September 20th 2009 @ 8:19am | Report comment
  
  It’s not that different in the NRL. What matters is making sure you have the pathways so junior players can take those spots, and you entice veterans back into the fold that draw the crowds.
  
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