Australian media reports that the Western Sydney Wanderers are in discussions with Japanese playmaker Shinji Ono to make him the club’s inaugural marquee player.
The reports increase speculation that former Germany captain Michael Ballack – who is an attacking midfielder like Ono and is also linked with the Wanderers – will not be signing for the A-League’s newest club.
Ono currently plays for Shimizu S-Pulse in the J-League, but he has fallen out with that club’s coaching staff and it is believed that he wants a move away from Japan.
It is understood that Wanderers manager Tony Popovic, as well as the Wanderers board, would prefer signing Ono over Ballack. Popovic played in the J-League at the same time as Ono and experienced his ability first-hand.
At 32, Ono is also three years younger than Ballack, and wants only $800,000 per season – roughly half the amount demanded by Ballack and significantly less than the reported salaries of the A-League’s other high-profile foreign marquees, Emile Heskey and Alessandro Del Piero.
Any money spent by the FFA, who fund the Wanderers, in attaining Ono, would also be more than repaid by the subsequent sale of A-League TV rights to Japan, where Ono and Del Piero both enjoy cult status.
Ono playing for the Wanderers could also encourage Sydney’s large Japanese community to support the A-League.
Ono is regarded as one of Asia’s greatest ever footballers, and is known by the nickname ‘Tensai’, or ‘genius’, in Japan. He has played 56 times for Japan, including at three World Cups and one Asian Cup.
Between his stints at Urawa Reds in Japan, he spent four years at Feyenoord in the Netherlands and then three years at Vfl Bochum in the German Bundesliga, before returning to hometown club Shimizu in 2010.
Cappuccino
Roar Guru
But no! Now the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that discussions with Ballack continue.
Cappuccino
Roar Guru
Daily Telegraph reporting that discussions with Ballack have been terminated- Shinji Ono is the Wanderers' first ever marquee. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/wanderers-poised-to-snare-japanese-ace-shinji-ono-as-michael-ballack-talks-terminated/story-fndb5nmd-1226480616768
Tigranes
Guest
I didnt realise Sydney had a large Japanese community?
KHAN
Guest
No Way!!! I want Ballack.
Realfootball
Guest
This has to be a troll. No one can really be this thick.
oly09
Guest
How can you compare Ono to Hiro? That's like comparing Cahill to Matt Simon!
Ash
Guest
Are we trying to build soccer/football over here... or in Japan. Ono won't spark the interest, Japanese people can watch Japanese people play in the J-League. They may get excited about watching Del Piero because of their big cult following of him over there. Wanderers will only get Ono to justify FFA putting up the cash for him. If they really want to boost our brand all over the world... Ballack is the way to go. If we have Del Piero, Heskey AND Ballack in the league, that would speak volumes to all countries all over the world. We are already a part of Asia in the Asian Champions League. I know what I would be doing. As if Ballack wouldnt draw big enough sponsorship deals anyway.
Evan Askew
Guest
True, though it doesn't sound as awesome in the way we're thinking of when Les Murray pronounces it.Lol.
Mantis
Roar Guru
I used Invincible just because most soccer fans probably wouldnt have heard of him. And he has an awesome name
Evan Askew
Guest
Likening Moriyasu who at that stage had never played profesionally, with Invincible is a bit harsh toward Invincible. Invincible has had a long professional career in Scotland. Our version of Moriyasu would be someone like Hamlet Armenian or Tolgay Ozbey.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Japan didnt 'give a crap' about Moriyasu playing in the A-League because none of them knew who he was. He is currently in Japan, playing for F.C Gifu, who just gained promotion to J2. Before that he had never played professionally in Japan. Comparing him to Ono is like comparing Harry Kewell to Danny Invincible (who also has the best name in world sport). And Kazu was on loan at Sydney FC for 2 months, and was 38 at the time. Hard to get too worked up about that.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your input Mr Optimism.
Cappuccino
Roar Guru
According to various sites (like 442, smh) there have already been discussions about the FFA selling TV rights to Japan and Italy, based on Del Piero's status alone. With Ono, the likelihood of a rights deal in Japan would only be increased.
Aki
Guest
If FFA think they're going to be able to sell A-League TV rights in Japan............they're smoking crack. Nobody in Japan gives a crap about the A-League. Hirofumi Moriyasu played in the A-League and nobody gave a crap, Kazu played for Sydney FC (perhaps Japan's most famous ever player) and nobody gave a crap.
NY
Guest
Wanderers just drew 1-1 with Wellington Phoenix in a trial at Christchurch today. If we can add Ono to our squad, I think it would make us very competitive. Some players to watch this year for us. In defence Nicolai Topor Stanley, in midfield Aaron Mooy, and in attack the Croatian Dino Kresinger. Saying that the team works well together as a unit, and I think that;s what will be our main strength. Hopefully if we do sign Ono we will have some support from the Japanese community in Sydney coming to our games.