With the implosion of Gold Coast United and prized youngster James Brown heading to the Newcastle Jets next season, a carve up of the United squad is on the cards.
The Jets have already made a snappy buy in the goal-scoring midfielder with the great name, but there are plenty of other talented players on the Glitter Strip, despite the club currently anchoring the bottom of the A-League table.
Instability raging across Gold Coast, along with their refusal to hand anything longer than one-year contracts, means the United players are now prime targets for hungry A-League clubs.
Heading that list has to be captain Michael Thwaite. The 28-year-old has been a rock for the club, a consistent performer with European experienced and a leader for the outfit, who has the talent to to play either centre back or in midfield. The former Victory player would be a handy acquisition for the likes of Sydney FC or even his former Melbourne club.
Also up there is 19-year-old Ben Halloran. The Cairns-born boy has been one of Gold Coast’s best players all season and has been a revelation in his attacking midfield spot. Capped for the Young Socceroos, Halloran is destined for big things.
He has been described as the most fouled player in the competition, highlighting his ability as a threat to the opposition. Reportedly, he is the only United player on a two-year deal, but if the club goes belly up, then it will be a mad scramble for one of the A-League’s most promising young players.
Goalkeeper Glen Moss has 19 caps for the All Whites and is a proven entity. Spells at the Knights, Phoenix, Victory and United have showed his class, although injury has robbed him of a lot of game-time this season. Moss would be handy as a number one or as a back up keeper for many A-League clubs.
Like his teammate Halloran, Chris Harold is a youth league star who is starting to make waves on the first grade scene. After scoring on debut, Harold has found goals harder to come by but remains a player with a lot of potential.
The best of the rest? Specialist left-sided defenders are spare in the A-League and Adama Traore would surely be in demand. The Ivorian is known for his attacking runs and at only 21 years of age has plenty of football left in him.
It’s a similar story with Gol-Gol Mebrahtu, a fellow Gold Coast player with African-heritage. This forward is blessed with technical skills and pace, and is also just 21. Another one for the future, and his contract with United is up in June.
Then there is striker Dylan Macallister, an experienced European and A-league journeyman who has seemingly had more clubs than hot dinners in his long career. The 29-year old has a nose for goal and is a great target man.
According to some reports, fellow striker Maceo Ritgers may head back overseas, while Aussie defender Dylan McGowan is only on loan from Scottish side Hearts. After winning the national youth league in 2010 and 2011, Gold Coast has a host of other young players in its ranks that could potentially make the step up to senior football successfully.
Whether United are cut from the comp or not, the fact they have signed no players to any long-term (apart from Halloran) deals means their roster is ripe to be targeted.
Brown was one of the jewels in the crown and with his departure, coupled with the exit of head coach Miron Bleiberg, its now open season on the Gold Coast cattle.
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