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Tim Cahill disappointed many Australian football fans when he moved to MLS side New York Red Bulls from Everton earlier this year, convincing many that we would never see one of Australia’s great footballers play in the A-League.
Following the transfer, Cahill commented that moving to the A-League would have been a “step backwards”.
However, with Cahill’s New York schedule finishing a few weeks ago, and the new MLS season not returning until March, there remains an obvious opportunity for an A-League club to negotiate a loan deal for the midfielder.
English media is currently reporting that Sunderland, Newcastle, Tottenham and QPR are all interested in making a play for Cahill. Everton is an obvious option as well, but with David Moyes’ men enjoying such a good start to the season, the Scottish manager may not feel a further boost to his squad is necessary.
While this season 33-year-old Cahill may be more interested in returning to the Premier League, it is disappointing that A-League clubs have shown no interest at all in him.
Various Australian clubs indicated that the Cahill opportunity was closed following his move to the States that will keep him at Red Bull Arena until he is 36.
A loan deal in the American off-season could change this, however. If Cahill arrived this January, a month long deal (ensuring the contract remained inside the transfer window) would see him play up to five matches as a guest player.
The marketing potential would be impressive – Heskey, Del Piero, Ono, Cahill and perhaps even David Beckham locking horns in the middle of summer at a key time in the A-League season.
Cahill’s temporary club would be able to sign Cahill as a guest player and avoid salary cap issues, and would surely see greater media coverage, shirt sales and crowd increases.
But even if such a deal is not for this season, surely a loan move for Cahill would be a distinct possibility in years to come. By January next season, Cahill will be 34 with Premier League clubs less likely to approach him for another loan stint.
The World Cup would be kicking off in five months and with the MLS season not starting until mid-March, Cahill may see a month-long loan deal in Australia as an opportunity to stay fit and visible to Socceroos manager Holger Osieck.
The benefits for the A-League are clear, and such a move may encourage Socceroos playing in the Middle East to take up similar short-term deals.
Cahill coming to the A-League, if only for a short-term deal, would have benefits for all involved, whether it would be this season or next.
A-League clubs should be showing a little more ambition, and making the most of opportunities like this.
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