Wanderers prowl for foreign players
Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic expects to begin filling up to five foreign player spots on his roster soon as he continues to build the fledgling A-League squad.
The Wanderers have officially signed nine players ahead of their inaugural season, which begins on October 6 against Central Coast.
They include former Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Ante Covic, ex-Newcastle Jets striker Labinot Haliti, Mark Bridge from Sydney FC and veteran Michael Beauchamp.
But Popovic is in no doubt his team will also include international recruits.
“We’re definitely going to be bringing in visa players,” Popovic told AAP on Thursday after a wet training session at Blacktown.
“We’re speaking to a lot of players around Europe and South America, we’re working through that process and trying to bring a few players out on trial as well.”
The former Socceroos defender said while it was an added bonus that some of his early signings were from western Sydney, his focus was on sourcing quality – even if that means using the maximum number of foreign recruits allowed by Football Federation Australia.
“If we feel that that five visa players will improve the quality of our team, we’ll bring them in,” Popovic said.
“If we feel they won’t, then we’ll limit it to one or two.”
The Wanderers’ coach is hoping to have a decent squad by mid-August but is in no rush to sign players just to make up the numbers.
“I want to take my time with it and make sure that they’re the right player and the right character for this club,” Popovic said.
“That obviously means it takes more time to get that, but I’ll be quite pleased with the number we’ll have in about a month’s time.”
Former Newcastle captain Tarek Elrich, one of the club’s earliest recruits, said confidence among his teammates was high and praised Popovic for the team he’s assembled to date.
“I think he’s done a great job so far,” Elrich said.
“We’ve got plenty of experience and, with the young guys coming through, it’s very exciting for the club.
“I’m sure Poppa’s got a few more players to come in and, with those players coming in, I think it’s going to make us stronger.”
Despite the pressure of being the A-League’s newest franchise, Elrich is confident the team will be competitive from game one.
“We’re going for the No.1 spot and hopefully we can get some silverware at the end of it,” he said.
© AAP 2013The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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July 15th 2012 @ 3:18pm
Cameron said | July 15th 2012 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Wth A League lovers crowing about how Western Sydney is the home of more professional footballers produced than by any other region in Australia, why are the Wanderers hunting for foreign players to fill it’s ranks?
July 15th 2012 @ 3:26pm
Titus said | July 15th 2012 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
Ummm……because players leave these shores to play where Football is treated with respect and the wages are generous. It is also easy to find imports of a high quality due to the prolific number of footballers worldwide.
July 15th 2012 @ 3:27pm
nordster said | July 15th 2012 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
Way of the football world i guess, players come in, others go out. Makes transfers more interesting, given how many different places they can draw from.
Edit: beat me to it titus! I mean how boring would fifa career mode be without those pesky foreigners …speaking of….bye
July 15th 2012 @ 3:35pm
Daniel said | July 15th 2012 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
It was said by their manager that they may use their 5 visa slots to maybe sign player if they are a good standard. If they could sign Nathan Burns (school at Westfields sports high) they most likely would but given he would most likely earn more then A-league club can offer. The other player right now that they can sign are either trialing, to young or signed to other club. The will need 2 years before they could field a pure Western Sydney team. First season is always going to next 1 or 2 exciting signings to ensure fans continue to support the club.
July 15th 2012 @ 3:58pm
Titus said | July 15th 2012 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
Being linked with Adam Sarota, with Utrecht offering to pay some of his wages on loan.
Would be a good pick up for them and Mooy and Sarota would make for an exciting midfield.
Not sure where Sarota is from, QLD?
July 16th 2012 @ 8:55pm
Nobby Stiles said | July 16th 2012 @ 8:55pm | Report comment
I’m always concerned about the calibre of foreign players. I’d prefer veteran Aussies in squads unless of high calibre, like Flores, Cassio, Broich and Zwanzuik.
There have been too many journeymen in the A League, not decidedly better than young local players. They cost more money and aren’t eligible to represent Australia. Also, young Aussie players can make rapid progress.
July 18th 2012 @ 11:03pm
Midfielder said | July 18th 2012 @ 11:03pm | Report comment
WSW chant …. hope some see it before the thread gets lost…
July 23rd 2012 @ 2:01am
Cameron said | July 23rd 2012 @ 2:01am | Report comment
Is this a joke? This is absolute tripe.