If reports that surfaced last night are to be believed, Newcastle Jets management are currently in the UK attempting to negotiate a deal to bring former England striker Emile Heskey to the club. It would be a colossal mistake.
Twitter was abuzz last night following a report that Heskey, who is currently without a club after being released by Aston Villa last season, could be heading to the A-League.
Throughout the seven-year history of the A-League there has always been the thirst for former EPL stars to become marquee signings, and it is understandable that demand is high at the moment, with clubs wanting to try and emulate (to a very minor extent, at least) Sydney FC’s signing of Alessandro Del Piero.
But past experience illustrates that strikers well over the 30-years-old mark often miss the mark, and the Jets should know this as well as anybody.
In 2007, the Newcastle club signed former Galatasaray and Porto striker Mario Jardel on the wishes of the owner at the time, Con Constantine.
The then 34-year-old barely made a ripple in his time with the Jets, managing just 11 appearances and failing to hit the net once.
If that wasn’t enough, the following season they then went with the – admittedly much younger, at 25 – Ecuadorian striker Edmundo Zura.
Zura came to Australia with the reputation of scoring goals and producing his famed ‘Spiderman mask’ celebration, but Jets fans failed to see him celebrate even once during his nine-game spell at the club.
To Heskey. For the uninitiated, Heskey burst onto to scene in England during the late 90s as an old-fashioned target man for Leicester City.
By the turn of the century Heskey had begun to appear for the national side, and joined Liverpool in 2000 in an £11m move, and went on to manage 39 goals in 150 appearances for the Merseyside club in a relatively successful spell.
Heskey was still a relative force when he joined Birmingham in 2004, and was a crucial part of the newly promoted Wigan Atheletic in the three seasons he spent there.
But his career has been well and truly on the wane since his move to Aston Villa in 2009, a fact highlighted by his meagre return of 15 goals in 111 matches for the club.
As mobility and fitness began to abandon him, Heskey often went through long, barren goalless droughts and was often a target of opposition fans.
Not exactly desirable for any club trying to sign him, even in a less established competition such as the A-League.
What makes this so puzzling is the fact that Jets boss Gary van Egmond has spent the off-season stockpiling his squad with young, athletic players capable of playing a high-tempo, high-pressing brand of football.
As somebody who has made his name around being the number nine for teams favouring route-one English football in recent years, Heskey hardly seems compatible with the style of the Jets are aiming to play.
Potentially, fingers point to owner Nathan Tinkler demanding that management trying and bring in somebody to attempt to match the publicity surrounding Del Piero.
That said, his indifference to football and his current problems over his other businesses makes you question whether Tinkler would even know who Del Piero was before he signed for Sydney FC.
You’d expect that Jets CEO Robbie Middleby, who should have considerable football knowledge accumulated over a distinguished professional career, would be in sync with what van Egmond is trying to do at Newcastle.
While Jets management should be applauded for taking a proactive approach in trying to land a big fish, they must not let Tinkler’s money burn a hole in their pocket and grab the first available ‘name player’.
Heskey will become another headstone in the graveyard of A-League marquee failures, a prospect that would cause the Jets considerable embarrassment should Del Piero succeed at their Sky Blue rivals.
EnglishMark
Guest
Chad, Please tell all about the taste of humble pie! The reason Gary van Egmond has spent the off-season recruiting his squad with 'young, athletic players capable of playing a high-tempo' is for the excat reason Heskeys endurance is not what it used to be, but his strenght is. And if you have young players covering every blade of grass creating chances, an experienced international pro will put those chances away. Good on you Emile, England legend
mathias kjems-møller
Guest
@Mintox I agree that heskey is good with his feet. which is why he easily could be a succes in the a league, even if he isnt fit..... maybe even as attacking midfielder??
Freddie
Guest
"As somebody who has made his name around being the number nine for teams favouring route-one English football in recent years, Heskey hardly seems compatible with the style of the Jets are aiming to play." This is the crux of what the writer is trying to say, and unfortunately, it underlines the influence SBS have on impressionable minds. This is the stuff they have been preaching for years, so its hardly surprising they are being repeated, parrot-fashion online. Heskey will do well in the A-League. He's fit and has a good attitude, and if anyone thinks he is going to be sub-standard they are delusional. He has never been prolific its true, but that has rarely been his primary role, certainly with England. I'm willing to bet he'll do better than the oil tanker that was Mario Jardel though, who came here with poor fitness levels and then slagged off his team-mates when he left. Imagine the slating he'd have received had he been English and not Brazilian?
Walesy
Roar Rookie
Yes he would be a popular big name signing but wasnt kewell? these big name signings dont work in the A-league. what the a-league needs are more aussies, arent they always the ones that do the best in the a-league? look at kruse and thompson from vitroy they have/are playing well almost every game.
Mick H
Roar Rookie
I think you're underestimating two important points; 1) The popularity of Hesky/ any big name, young or old within Australia's football community 2) The difference between the EPL and A-League in terms of quality. It's astronomical. Heskey will score plenty in this league. He was being shopped around the EPL so he still has that fitness at that level and will demolish the A-League's level.
Mintox
Guest
That was in reference to weather he is going to have the attitude that it's going to be easy or realize that he isn't just going to walk in and be a superstar!
Simon, Melbourne (from Leicester)
Guest
Heskey is a legend at Leicester, looking forward to seeing him over here. he's not prolific but strikers love playing alongside him. he'll do well in this league. the league needs to get alot better before you can expect to attract the best - del piero was great and kewell was half decent but they get frustrated in average teams - dont expect too much from del piero except increased gates.
Bondy.
Guest
Their behaviour will never change, for the countries that decide to play the game that way, Bunyodkor offered nothing and were a complete joke prior to the sending off ,that behaviour has illistrated that thats how you win games to those people,and apart form the goal that insued from the red that was the only other thing they really did. In watching that game I thought to myself they threw D Carney out,he would have been one of their best players.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Transformed yes, but still need to work on their habit of spurning chances, from the look of it :) As far as supporting goes... Against Uzbekistan, I'd support Adelaide. Against Melbourne anything, I'd support Adelaide. Against anything apart from Perth, well, I'll negotiate that on a case by case. Against Perth - for Glory 100%!
dasilva
Guest
Yeah Adelaide seems like a side transform and I'm pretty confident that we will do well this year. I think this game as well as the results in the friendly (6-2 victory over Brisbane Roar, that's just seem ridiculous). also the new signing of Neumann looks like a decent signing allready By the way, i'm not that confident of Adelaide winning the ACL especially when Adelaide are behind in this leg and we need to go to Uzbekistan and win away from home which will be atough task (although we did manage to do that in the group stage. Personally I think Eugene has to be man of the tournament for Adelaide to progress far in the knockout stage I'm just surprise that you seem to be "supporting" Adelaide
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
From what I saw on the replay there was a hold on the shoulder and a hint of a heel clip. Gotta be careful with those one on ones when you're a defender and know that sometimes its better to hope your keeper and stop it and possibly eat the goal rather than do something to risk the red. Can't really argue with the send-off except that they might have been a little generous to the Bunyodkor striker in terms of whether he had possession before-hand. But wow, up until then Adelaide, where have you been hiding that performance? 70% of possession, absolutely bossing the game! Really turned it on. The send-off was such a shame. Was telling my missus "this is *not* going to stay 2:0" but obviously I had no idea it was going to turn like that. Could so easily have put the game completely beyond reach. Props to "Hugene" as well, amazing display in goals. Pulled off some absolutely cracking saves. Great play, if unrewarded, by Djite too, very impressed by his lone-hand work up front. Great hold up play and possession football. As for replacing Perth, haha, well, tell you what; you guy's go out and win it and then we can talk about who goes into the next ACL!
dasilva
Guest
Bloody red card due to a dive (it was a dive from what I saw live ,I haven't seen a replay yet). He just touch his shoulder and that guy collapse to the ground That's how Yeah we should have been 4-0 up at half time but due to wasteful finishing we failed to punish them for our complete dominance (must be one of the best performance I have seen for a while.). Vidosic just completely dominated the match and was absolutely brilliant pulling out superb pass after superb pass. However playing with 10 men and an inexplicable substitution of Vidosic in the 2nd half reduce to us playing long balls to Djite. It only took some great saves byGalekovic for us to escape from this (by the way Nathan, although I appreciate the support, if Adelaide United go on to win the champions league , I'm wondering whether there will be calls for Adelaide to replace Perth in the next ACL similar to how Chelsea replace Tottenham)
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Obviously not the thread for it, but then there is no proper thread yet... But all the same... HOW DID YOU SCREW THAT UP ADELAIDE???
Mantis
Roar Guru
I agree. Everyone is judging Heskey on what they hear from the English press, and the fact that he has struggled in recent times. Name one A-League player (ADP excluded) who would not struggle in the top league in the world. I'm not saying that he will be a success, but I think that people have to remember he is going a fair step down in quality. He played for England in the 2010 World Cup too. Don't be too quick too write him off.
Colin N
Guest
His work ethic is/should never be in question
Mintox
Guest
Heskey was always unfairly criticised because of his height, like Peter Crouch, he was assumed to be a target man for route one football when in reality he was much better with the ball at his feet. He was and still remains a mobile big man though again, playing up front his lack of goals was often pointed to despite his ability to bring other players into the game. Micheal Owen was at his best for Liverpool and England when he played alongside Heakey. I think he'll be a moderate success, depending on how hard he is willing to work
Futbanous
Guest
The only question Jets fans should be asking is can Tinkles afford him. If he can, what have you got to lose? He may be a champion,he may be a flop,GVE will decide. For the fan you've lost nothing. If he cant different story, seeing as the clubs current existence depends on his moolah.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Well, as I'm sure all are aware Heskey has now signed a one-year deal bringing him to Hunter Stadium. We can see for ourselves now, time will tell I guess. @Ant. Fair point, to an extent. Relative to Jardel and Zura they were successful, but by no means were they great, and both have had significant spells on the sideline due to injury. By no means are they templates for marquee/overseas signings, particularly not when the sum the Jets have reportedly paid for Heskey is factored into the equation.
pete4
Guest
Yeah not sure I would put Heskey in the same bracket as Jardel and Zura. Heskey played for England at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and played 28 games in the EPL for Villa last season so not sure it'll be that big a mistake
Ant
Guest
Silly article - why do you mention Jardel and Zura but not the far more apt comparisons in Jeffers & Bridge? (who were relatively successful for the Jets)