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Marquees are a must in the A-League, both for publicity and financial reasons, and every club should be aiming to sign top, top players.
The days of Alessandro Del Piero and Shinji Ono are long gone, and now the league is starting to get desperate to sign the likes of those names.
The following players are off contract at the end of the season and could make the A-League as big as it was when ADP and Ono were onboard.
Dimitar Berbatov
The former Manchester United striker used to to be one of the deadliest players in the Premier League.
He recently signed a one-year deal with Greek club PAOK, where former Sydney FC star Terry Antonis is playing his football. Maybe some convincing could attract Berbatov to the A-League?
Preferred club: Adelaide United
Firepower in the number 9 position is a concern at the Reds; Bruce Djite has lost his mojo and Eli Babalj may return to Holland from his loan stint. A clinical striker like Berbatov could promise goals for Guillermo Amor.
Ivica Olic
The Croatian international would bring the same as Berbatov: goals! After a decorated career in Germany, especially with Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV, his experience would be a great influence on young strikers.
Olic still still has good pace at the age of 36, so could play with some of the pacy attackers in Australia.
Preferred club: Sydney FC
Alex Brosque is Sydney’s best attacking player, but age and injuries are having their toll, and Shane Smeltz and Matt Simon aren’t top strikers anymore.
News in Croatia is that he is linked with the Central Coast Mariners, but could they even afford a marquee?
Niko Kranjcar
The former Tottenham Hotspurs and Queens Park Rangers winger is still at the peak of his powers at 31. Currently under contract with Dynamo Kyiv, he could be a ‘cheap’ buy for a marquee considering the club he is coming from.
Preferred club: Melbourne City
Harry Novillo has looked to have sealed his place on the left side, it would be great to have a front three of Kranjcar, Novillo and Bruno Fornaroli.
Dirk Kuyt
The Dutchman was an unsung hero at Liverpool and is still one of the most underrated players in world football. Having played with likes of Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben for Holland, Kuyt would show Dutch class.
He has been in tremendous form with Feyenoord, scoring 13 goals in 16 appearances. A tough buy, but it’s worth a try!
Preferred club: Melbourne City
Marquee Robert Koren is coming off contract at the end of the season, as is Kuyt. It could work out if Koren does leave, but they’d make a good pairing up front.
Andrey Arshavin
Remember a guy scoring four goals for Arsenal in a 4-4 draw against Liverpool? That’s Arshavin.
The Russian spent four years at the Gunners, and is now playing his football back in his homeland.
Preferred club: Wellington Phoenix
The Kiwis need some love! IF the Nix want FFA to keep them in the A-League for the long term, a guest player could aid their survival!
Arshavin would fit with the Phoenix’s playing style of two wingers aiming to the one forward – he could be a star leader for Ernie Merick’s men.
Diego Milito
One of his country’s least talked-about forwards, with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and of course Lionel Messi Argentina’s best frontmen.
Yet having won the treble with Inter Milan, including two goals in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, success is written all over his career.
He is now playing back in Argentina with Racing Club, and at 37 still has lots to offer.
Preferred club: Western Sydney Wanderers
The Wanderers have had some top strikers on their books in their short history – such as Mark Bridge and Tomi Juric – Milito would add to their firepower.
Federico Piovaccari is their marquee at the moment, but inconsistent performers mean new marquee might be the best option.
Esteban Cambiasso
The key to Inter Milan’s treble-winning season, with Javier Zanetti in midfield, Cambiasso has played with some big teams in Europe including Inter and Real Madrid, and even helped Leicester City avoid relegation.
Now contracted with Olympiakos, he could be a star playmaker in the A-League.
Preferred club: Melbourne Victory
Kevin Muscat’s young team would learn from how Cambiasso controls a game in the central midfield. He would also fit nicely with Gui Finkler and Oliver Bozanic.
Rafael van der Vaart
The creative and attacking midfielder is one of the best Dutch players of his generation, playing for huge clubs like Ajax, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur. It would be so exciting to have this guy playing for your club.
Preferred club: Melbourne City
Robert Koren could leave and you never know about Aaron Mooy, so a top marquee in midfield would help City become an excellent football team.
Diego Forlan
The Uruguayan legend ends this marquee list and his career speaks for itself – winning the Premier League with Manchester United, UEFA Europa League with Atletico Madrid, and the Copa America with Uruguay.
He is now playing back in his homeland, but only on a short-term deal.
He could be the next Del Piero in this country.
Preferred club: Sydney FC
Sydney have struggled to replace the goal-scoring Marc Janko, and Diego Forlan would definitely deliver the goals.
Money, commitment and approval could make any of these signings happen. Let’s hope these teams can pull it off.
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