He’s not exactly known as a prolific goal scorer but Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond predicts his star recruit Emile Heskey will “shock a few people” in the A-League.
The Jets landed a major coup on Friday after completing the signing of the 34-year-old former England international, who only last season was still playing in the English Premier League with Aston Villa.
The striker is likely to arrive in the steel city early next week and is a decent chance of playing in the Jets’ season opener against Adelaide on October 7.
Van Egmond said Heskey’s crowd-pulling ability, experience, strength and ability to hold up the ball made him an ideal marquee signing.
And he also predicted he could be a menace in front of goal, despite a strike rate of one goal every 4.6 games in English football in his time with Leicester City, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan and Villa.
Heskey also managed only seven goals in 62 appearance for England but van Egmond – citing the example of Brisbane striker Besart Berisha – tipped Heskey would enjoy a better strike rate in Australia.
“I think we have to get things in perspective here,” van Egmond told AAP.
“We’re talking from the EPL to the A-League and if you want to compare him not getting as many goals in the EPL to him not maybe getting as many goals in the A-League, I think that’s a pretty tough comparison.
“You have a look (2011/12 top scorer) Berisha’s stats prior to getting to the Brisbane Roar you definitely wouldn’t have thought that he was setting the world alight in the second division in Germany.
“I think he (Heskey) is going to shock a few people with the technical ability he has … I think some people may get surprised.”
Van Egmond hoped Heskey’s signing would help get more “bums on seats” in Newcastle, and around the league, and was confident he was in good condition, having spent time training with Wigan recently.
Heskey is best known for his time at Liverpool, where he played 150 league matches and scored 39 goals during five seasons at the famous club.
His best season came in 2000-01, when he scored 22 goals in all competitions as the Reds won the FA Cup, Football League Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2000-01.
He has played in two World Cups for the Three Lions, and played in every match of England’s 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa.
“This is an exciting new period in my life and I am looking forward to making a special contribution to the A-League and most importantly, to the Jets,” Heskey said in a statement.
“I hope I can help grow football at the grassroots level and also provide advice to young players at the Jets.
“The season isn’t far away, so I will be in Newcastle soon, training with my new teammates and be ready for kick off on October 7.”
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