It seemingly took Shane Smeltz just five days to realise Jinan, 400km south of Beijing, wasn’t going to be as homely as the Gold Coast, turning his back on a two-year deal with Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng and returning to Australia for what’s expected to be a quick comeback to the A-League.
The Gold Coast Bulletin broke the story yesterday, indicating Smeltz’s concerns about whether his young family could settle in the region forced a rapid change of heart.
If that’s the case, credit to Smeltz for putting the wellbeing of his wife and two children ahead of his football aspirations and a financial windfall.
But it’s a timely warning for players tempted by the riches on offer throughout Asia to do their due diligence before they commit to a move. The dollars can be tempting, but they need to appreciate the cultural and social differences in Asia.
Smeltz’s return to Australia also reinforces one of the great selling points for the league when trying to attract players down under.
Even if A-League clubs can’t compete with the dollars on offer throughout Asia and elsewhere, the lifestyle afforded to players, be they foreigners or locals, is an attraction in itself. Just ask Dwight Yorke.
As for Smeltz, his future will be discussed today, with Gold Coast United officials set to meet with the reigning Golden Boot winner.
Thankfully it seems there won’t be protracted wrangling about who owns his contract.
According to the Gold Coast Bulletin article, “Football Federation Australia source yesterday confirmed that since Smeltz’s International Transfer Clearance form was never dispatched by United, he is free to rejoin them without any possibility of an international tug-of-war over his services.”
But if he already quit the Gold Coast, perhaps displeased at his wage, could another A-League club come calling?
Melbourne Victory is in desperate need of a striker, and it will be interesting if they or any other A-League club go after Smeltz.
Smeltz’s departure sparked wild rumours that Clive Palmer would dip into his treasure chest with an approach to former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires, and even a surprising approach to Socceroos great Harry Kewell. But Gold Coast fans must hope Smeltz and Jason Culina are retained by the club.
Only their presence can help Gold Coast avoid the second-year blues on the field, not to mention off the field, following a subdued off-season in which they have only made one significant signing – former Manchester United defender John Curtis.
Hopefully the pair stay.
The league desperately needs its superstars and the clubs need continuity in their playing rosters, not only for their on-field product but also so they can market and reach out to their communities with the same stars from season to season.
Hopefully Smeltz’s backflip is a reminder to A-League players that they don’t have it too bad here in Australia.
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Mega said | July 18th 2010 @ 1:37am | Report comment
Five days….. Jinan must be a real s–thole!
Andyroo said | July 18th 2010 @ 9:22am | Report comment
I can’t believe China was the best offer in the first place. He needs a better agent considering the moves Allsop and Griffiths made.
Mega said | July 18th 2010 @ 11:45am | Report comment
After the World Cup he and NZ had, me neither. Think like most players he jumped at the biggest cheque knowing that he had shown the world stage what he’s about.
coasty said | July 18th 2010 @ 9:36am | Report comment
Good decision. I reluctantly travel to China twice a year for work, it is a dump and encapsulates all that is wrong with the world.
Midfielder said | July 18th 2010 @ 7:35pm | Report comment
agree
Australian Football said | July 18th 2010 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Brilliant!!! Smeltzie back in the fold. Well done Clive Palmer and all concerned—a fabulous out come for all. Now let’s bring home Harry Kewell to top up our team to clinch the treble; the Premiers Plate, the Championship and the ACL… Yes we can…
______
AF
Mega said | July 18th 2010 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Can’t believe that Kewell bid!
Australian Football said | July 18th 2010 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
Kewell will come. His wife will want to relaunch her acting career at Warner Brothers on the Gold Coast—good synergy in the air for both
Marshall said | July 18th 2010 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
Are you sure he’s going back to GC? What chance Melbourne go for him? Don’t they have their international marque spot free?
wesley said | July 18th 2010 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
thanks shane, ill make sure not to go to Jinan ;D
M1tch said | July 18th 2010 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
Are there any Aussies in the MLS?
Realfootball said | July 18th 2010 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
Danny Alsopp
Ben of Phnom Penh said | July 18th 2010 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
5 days does not appear to be much time to give a city much of a chance. This move does not reflect well on the player nor the manager.
Mega said | July 18th 2010 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Smeltz does have a history of being indecisive.I can foresee him walking out on GC if a better offer comes along.
Realfootball said | July 18th 2010 @ 3:36pm | Report comment
Something must have happened. No doubt the story will out. Good for the A League, though.
Mega said | July 18th 2010 @ 5:34pm | Report comment
No word from Smeltz or Gold Coast today: http://tvnz.co.nz/football-news/smeltz-still-resolve-future-3651181
I can’t see him just going back to GC. Hope another A-League club has enough cap space to grab him.
Realfootball said | July 18th 2010 @ 5:48pm | Report comment
Surely this still leaves him under contract to GCU?
He would be a great capture for Sydney.
Mega said | July 18th 2010 @ 6:07pm | Report comment
Not necessarily. From what I understand his GC was over when he walked out. It just means the deal with the Chinese club didn’t start.
Australian Football said | July 18th 2010 @ 6:59pm | Report comment
Smeltz is still under contract to GCU—luckily the paperwork for his transfer was not summated to the FFA and now won’t be..
Mega said | July 18th 2010 @ 7:02pm | Report comment
If his buyout clause is so low ($300,000) surely other clubs will take a look at that.
Australian Football said | July 18th 2010 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
“But a Football Federation Australia source yesterday confirmed that since Smeltz’s International Transfer Clearance form was never dispatched by United, he is free to rejoin them without any possibility of an international tug-of-war over his services.”
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/07/17/239501_sport.html#comment
Mega said | July 18th 2010 @ 7:08pm | Report comment
That doesn’t mean he can’t get out of whatever deal he has and that he is a certainty to rejoin them.
Australian Football said | July 18th 2010 @ 7:21pm | Report comment
No but if he stays in Australia he has to really want to leave the Gold Coast. He and his family are from the Gold Coast and if he does really want to leave GCU FC he has to fit within the salary cap of an Australian club.. Sydney and Melbourne are looking for bigger fish.
Katipo said | July 18th 2010 @ 9:49pm | Report comment
I understand how Jinan could be a major culture shock. If it has to be China at least go to Shanghai where you can get by speaking English and there is a large ex-pat community for your family to fit in with. Otherwise, if it’s Asia, Japan or Singapore are much easier destinations. I hope Shane Smeltz gets the opportunity to pick up a big pay cheque. He deserves it.
Ben of Phnom Penh said | July 19th 2010 @ 10:57am | Report comment
From my understanding Jinan is quite a nice city and something of a tourist destination with its mountains and history. I think it may be China in general that was overpowering. If he’d been there a few months and wanted to come back I’d agree with you, but 5 days suggests he’d have just as much trouble in Shanghai or Beijing……. or possibly even Tokyo.