Most Melbourne Victory fans will be aware that rising star Robbie Kruse’s contract expires at the end of this campaign. The striker, who has just returned from Socceroo duty at the Asian Cup, has delayed contract talks with the club – a sign he is perhaps weighing up a more lucrative deal in Asia or Europe.
Thanks to his goal scoring form in the A-League, Kruse attracted the attention of new Socceroos coach Holger Osieck, who happily took the youngster to Qatar. And while Kruse didn’t get much game time, the experience will have done wonders for his development. He is going to be a top player and someone the Victory will want to hold onto. Here are five reasons why this is so:
1. Archie Thompson isn’t getting younger.
Archie has been brilliant for the Victory since the first A-League season. His devastating five goal haul in the 2007 grand final against Adelaide was the kind of performance only a champion could produce. However, of late injuries have dragged the striker down and he hasn’t been able to find consistent form.
While I’m not saying Thompson won’t bounce back again, it must be pointed out that if he continues to get struck down by injury then it is hard to see him having the same kind of impact on games that he has had in the past. Kruse shapes up as the ideal man to lead Victory’s attack into the future as his skill and pace are reminiscent of a fit and firing Thompson.
2. His style of play suits Danny Allsopp.
Allsopp is a very physical front man who uses his big build and strength against defenders. Kruse, on the other hand, isn’t as big and has a greater reliance on speed and a good first touch. The two distinct styles of play come together well and provide Melbourne with more attacking opportunities.
Allsopp combined so well with Archie Thompson in the first three seasons he was at the club, so it’s already evident the former Manchester City striker enjoys partnering up with a smaller, quicker player. The Kruse/Allsopp pairing got its first run in last Wednesday’s game against the Newcastle Jets and showed some very promising signs.
The potentially deadly combination could take the league by storm if the duo get a good chance to work together, and is definitely one to watch for Victory fans.
3. He is a future Socceroos regular.
Kruse’s selection for the Asian Cup must be considered the start of what could be a long and successful international career. Harry Kewell showed some great form for the national side in the tournament in last month’s tournament, however at 32 years of age and with a history of injuries, it would take a mammoth effort for the veteran to front up for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
While Kewell is best known for his performances on the left wing for Australia, of late he was shifted up the pitch, playing as an attacking midfielder or up front alongside Tim Cahill. Kruse is a very similar kind of player and would perfectly fit into the Socceroos line-up when Kewell hangs up the boots.
Only one A-League side can boast having a regular Socceroo amongst the ranks. That honour lies with the Gold Coast, who are captained by Jason Culina, however should Kruse stay with Melbourne then it won’t be long before the Victory can make a similar claim.
4. It is a little early for him to head overseas.
At only 22 years of age, Kruse has his best years ahead of him. Rushing overseas could be a poor career choice as he could easily find himself benchwarming for a top club or even moving around lower league clubs on loan deals. It is all too common for players to rush off to bigger things too quickly and find they can’t cut it at a higher level.
Just look at former Melbourne Victory defender Michael Thwaite, who is currently on the books at Gold Coast United. As a 21-year-old he left Australia to pursue a career overseas, signing for Romanian outfit National Bucurest where he made 34 appearances in two seasons before trying his luck in Poland with Wisla Krakow.
His time in Poland was even less successful and he soon found himself at SK Brann in Norway where he could manage just one senior run. After a poor run of 46 games in four years he returned home on a loan deal to Melbourne before signing for the Gold Coast in 2009.
If Kruse moves too quickly he could suffer the same fate. It would be wiser to play another year or two here in Australia and prove to European clubs that this season was no fluke.
That way, he continues to develop and learn from Allsopp, Thompson and the more established strikers in the Socceroos squad should he hold his place in the national side.
5. The fans love him.
The Melbourne Victory faithful have taken to Kruse since he signed for the club from Brisbane back in 2009. His transformation from wayward winger into an exciting goal machine in the last two seasons has meant he has been quickly elevated to one of the fans’ favourites.
He has the potential to draw people to games who would pay to watch his flair and skill, in the knowledge that they are watching one of Australian football’s future stars. If he stays on at the Victory and continues to play the way he is, it will be no time before he became a legend of the club.
Ensuring Kruse signs a new contract must be high on Melbourne’s to do list as it means there will be plenty of number 21s walking through the turnstiles for the years to come.
Losing Robbie Kruse is inevitable as unfortunately the A-League doesn’t hold the same prestige as top European clubs, so it is understandable that a player of Kruse’s calibre will want to try his hand in a league of higher quality.
Whatever happens, the name Robbie Kruse will always be fondly remembered by the supporters of Melbourne Victory. Let’s hope we can watch his brilliance for a few more seasons yet.
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