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Nicky Carle must be desperate to get back into the Socceroos set-up or Sydney FC have lined up a big marquee signing, as news breaks that the playmaker is heading to the UAE.
The Sky Blues announced yesterday afternoon that they are loaning Carle to United Arab Emirates-based Baniyas Sports Club for the next 12 months.
This seems a very strange move to make on the eve of the A-League season.
Is Carle unhappy in the Harbour City? Or do Sydney FC and Ian Crook not see the 30-year old in their plans in the future?
Are they letting him leave on compassionate grounds, as surely the UAE club can offer Carle a bigger salary than what he receives in Australia? Or is the move about helping him break back into Holger Osieck’s team?
Nicholas Alberto Carle has been with Sydney FC for the past two seasons, racking up 42 A-League games and 8 goals. The former Johnny Warren medal winner really hit his straps last season, recapturing some of the form that he displayed at the Newcastle Jets from 2005-2007.
Carle’s signing for the Sky Blues back in 2010 was a big move, a returning Socceroo (with 13 caps) from the UK on reported three-year deal worth $1.9 million. Along with Brett Emerton, Carle took up one of the marquee spots.
His departure allows Sydney FC to jump back into the player market and sign an overseas star. Is there a big-name transfer in the wings? The Sky Blues supporters will certainly hope so.
The midfielder of Chilean descent will need to be replaced. Carle will certainly be a loss.
He is one of the few genuine Australian-born players who can play in that number 10 position, who can score and create goals, and artfully unlock defences. He has guile and smarts. Many football fans believe he is the kind of technically-gifted player the Socceroos need.
It is hard to begrudge Carle his move to the UAE. He will set himself up financially, probably for the rest of his career.
Carle clearly thinks the move will also put him higher up on Osieck’s radar. Lucas Neill has played in the Middle East, but is now without a club, while Bresciano, Spiranovic and Ognenovski also play in the region. But it’s very debatable that a transfer to the UAE will help his Socceroo’s chances more than a fantastic season in the A-League would. Sure, there is a lot more money in the UAE, but is the standard of football better than we have here?
I don’t think so. It’s not like he is heading to a much better competition.
Still, Australia has to contend with another Asian league snapping up our best and brightest. If it’s not the J or K-League, or the Chinese Super League, it’s now the cash-rich competitions of the Middle East.
The A-League is in need of a bigger rights deal, and the positive affects that come with it, more than ever.
Twitter: @johnnyddavidson
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