The failure of Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace to agree terms over a transfer fee (or rather the structure of it) has certainly got tongues wagging in Association football circles.
Certainly amongst the Sydney based commentariat, who have been inclined to take a dim view of the outcome and claim the players interests haven’t been in honoured in some way.
But the Milligan affair is rather complex, some have pointed to the fact that in the great ecosystem of the football world, Australia’s is in essence a selling league.
They also like to raise the notion that Melbourne’s stance may be somehow off-putting to any promising youngsters (or rather their parents) from choosing Melbourne over other clubs.
Clubs like Central Coast for example who are under Graham Arnold are developing a reputation for setting players up for successful moves abroad – with Crystal palace captain Mile Jedinak being a good case in point.
Perth under Alistair Edwards may enter into similar territory as “youth development” comes into vogue in the A-League.
As for Victory, the proof is in the pudding, several youngsters like Connor Pain, Scott Galloway, Nick Ansell and Jason Geria all made their first team debuts for Melbourne last season with encouraging signs they will be able to make the grade under Ange Postecoglu’s tutelage.
The mid-season transfer of Jesse Makarounes from Perth suggests that Melbourne is hardly an outfit that is off-putting to promising youngsters.
No the real issue is an inferiority complex that seems to permeate much of the Australian football scene that appears to lead some people to think that Australian clubs are obliged to sell as soon as the first offer comes in.
Perhaps this is a relic from the old amateur era, perhaps it is a sign that the local football fraternity in Melbourne and Sydney are at different stages of maturity.
A good sign of this was shown by the fact that one Exhibition match played in Sydney needs to involve a “league All-Stars” team (which is akin to an admission of inferiority), while an Exhibition match played in Melbourne is able to be set up against a local club side which is to contest the challenge as a form of equal.
At least they both constitute progress from the days when the Socceroos had to play such teams.
And so it should be in the transfer market as it is on the football field, as an exercise in attaining credibility and respect in the football world, A-League clubs need to learn to negotiate in an equal footing rather than just get stars in their eyes whenever a small to middling club from a large European league comes knocking.
Perhaps it’s easier for Melbourne to do this given the average attendances are on par with many of these clubs, with their 40-50,000 crowds on occasion even eclipsing many of their European counterparts.
Either way, Melbourne have shown great maturity in being able to to lay out their terms and have the confidence to assert them.
Far from being petty or anything of that ilk, it is a good sign of self-assuredness that Melbourne Victory should be able to turn around to an EPL club set to get tens of millions in TV broadcast revenue to not have to pay a fee in the region of $1.5 million in installments.
Melbourne’s detractors should also consider that a possible reason for Melbourne having to adapt an assertive stance lies firstly with missing out on a sizeable fee for their role in developing Marco Rojas.
More significantly though, Melbourne’s experience in transfer negotiations and the scenario of being used as a ‘leverage’ club by their prospective marquee acquisitions has taught them to wisen up to the world of player transfer fees.
Part of this lesson that Australian fans need to appreciate is the art of the opening derisory offer. The purpose of this offer which is clearly too low is to formalise a clubs interest in a given player once news of the offer hits the press.
The reasons for this is that clubs can’t approach another teams player without formal permission, so clubs signal their interest to the given player via making a bid. The purpose being to unsettle the player and compel him into making firm noises about being keen on a move if not directly handing in a transfer request.
Having an unsettled player can have a detrimental impact on the team, so clubs reluctant to sell are compelled to be open to the overtures of the often larger club making a bid, but the bargaining position of the prospective buying club has been improved given the player has become unsettled and the transfer price is lower than what it could have been otherwise.
The mooted transfer of Yohan Cabaye from Newcastle to Arsenal in the latest edition of the European transfer window is a good case in point and there is an argument that Crystal Palaces previously low bids that purportedly didn’t even match Billy Celeski’s transfer fee to a Middle-Eastern outfit is of a similar ilk.
Understanding the art of the transfer market is vital to a mature club and a mature league, Manchester United new Chief Executive Ed Woodward has become the target of ridicule and anger given his perceived failures in the transfer market and the perceived lacks of skill and experience in comparison to his predecessor.
So, Just like Tottenham who used all of their skills to wring a record breaking transfer fee for Gareth Bale, Melbourne have taken some important steps to showing they have learned lessons in their handling of the global transfer market.
The remaining length of Milligans contract means that Melbourne should not be in any hurry to sell, Melbourne may even be able to command a much higher fee for Milligan in the future depending on performances for club and country.
Not to mention the fact that much of the debate is missing the point that there is dual interests in winning the competitions in which a club competes alongside of that of trying to develop and generate good transfer fee revenue from players, and as a player who makes up the core of Melbourne Victory’s trophy campaign, Milligan should not be let go of lightly.
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Welcome to our world, we have all major interstate away trips very close together, which means people will have to choose which in turn means we won't get as many away fans to each big game (Adelaide, Sydney and Western Sydney) as we could
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
This is part and parcel of the dance of the Transfer window, even my other club, Newcastle, which is the 10th best supported club in Europe apparently (doesen't have the Silverware to match!) has to deal with issues when a European or other EPL in the very top echelon becomes interested in one of our strongly performing players, eg Demba Ba last season who went to Chelsea and Arsenal just unsettled Cabaye We can equally say Newcastle playing hardball is ruining those players ambitions for playing for the very top club etc but as many an EPL fan knows it is highly important not to get dudded or even more importantly not be SEEN to come out of it looking like mugs because this can cause a very real impact on perceptions on whether the Manager/Chairman is doing a good job Things have evolved to the point whereas rather than be seen as a curious or exotic destination, the A League or more specifically perhaps Melbourne Victory were used as a viable alternative by Karagounis and Miccoli to leverage their local European preferences. On the one hand this is a sign of progress as it hasn't really happened before to Australian clubs, but it also shows some naivety on an Australian clubs part in dealing with the football world in terms of the global transfer market, so what was good about the stance of the Milligan deal is that MVFC are showing the signs of learning quickly and adapting If we think of ourselves as a backwater we'll be treated as such, and frankly we don't have too especially in our case given MVFC's crowds are on a par with many EPL ones
Ballymore
Guest
"Instead they tried to get a quality, experienced national player with leadership ability for way below market value". Keen observation. IMHO they thought they could pay "unders" and were declined.
j binnie
Guest
Fadida - Agree almst 100% with everything you say except when you say English teams are buying "foreigners" because they are cheaper, I think the talent they are buying would have a huge effect on their purchasing strategy so I dont agree that Hazard and Mata could be matched alongside Downing and Henderson when comparing their effectivness as players but that of course is only my opinion. Cheers jb
Ballymore
Guest
Agree. Perception is reality in terms of HAL's appeal for footballers.
j binnie
Guest
AZ - Some good points. I'll try & explain my thoughts. If a player moves from one HAL club to another there are a few questions to be put - (1) Is he,the individual, going to improve as a player with the move? Now I do appreciate this question could be answered with some good examples where this has apparently happened but there is also an undercurrent that it is just a case of a vacancy being filled by someone who may well be just seen an "easy out" for the team managements involved. So let us take an example at hand,Has Hart Kewell improved as a player over the last few years?,in a true sense probably not but Heart obviously feel he can offer something to their team structure & I would tend to agree. Bur "John Smith "who has played at 3 different HAL clubs without raising his own standard noticeably could be deemed to be filling a vacancy that could be filled by a good youngster with a future. I do agree with your observation that our W of O is always going to be small but to me that is more reason why great care has to be taken not to let it get smaller. You then question my observation about it being "easier and cheaper to accomplish" referring to what I deem "tradesmen" players who have been playing in the HAL for much of it's duration. I would have thought this was self explanatory, for to take a youngster of say 14 & get him ready to play HAL when he is 18 is a much more expensive challenge to take on than signing a 'tradesman" to a 1 year contract. I think we are both on the same wavelength but I do admit I am a little more worried about the "pathways" being created for our young players who should now be emerging from our much vaunted "curriculum". Time will tell. Cheers jb
fadida
Guest
One of the issues in England, as I'm sure you know jb, is that average English players cost a fortune. You can almost buy a Hazard/ Mata for the cost of a Downing/Henderson!This certainly encourages clubs to look for "foreigners" of similar ability, but much cheaper to English players. One of the biggest problems for English football is simply that they don't produce many talented players, and haven't done for years. How many continental clubs are interested in England's best young (or older) talent? None. France, Spain, Germany produce much better young players, which is why EPL clubs chase them. They are both better and cheaper. As I said earlier, when English teams were full of locals they were worse performing internationally than now. They need to look for ways to produce better players from within, hence negating costly transfers.
AZ_RBB
Guest
"existing HAL players moving from club to club within the HAL itself" you need to explain this to me a little more. i'm a little lost on why this is a problem. football talent in Australia is enormously skewed towards NSW and Vic yet only 6 of the 10 clubs are from that part of the world so it's natural that some will be shipped off to those 4 other clubs. "window of opportunity” for young players playing in lower leagues ,striving for improvement, is severely curtailed." in a nation with only 9 professional football teams that window will always be a small one even if we are to restrict foreign numbers. "How much easier & cheaper is this to accomplish" but at the same time this will push up the quality of football in this country. instead of simply testing our kids against Australia's best we have a system where you need to be at a world standard if you are to be successful. depending on foreigners isn't exactly cheap either. would i right to assume that the foreigners in the A League are generally the highest paid as well? have no fear. once Mr Abbott takes power tomorrow night we won't need to worry too much about foreigners ;) lol
j binnie
Guest
Fadida -Some good questions & observations but a word of warning,,do not believe all the figures flying around, do the simple exercise of looking up starting elevens & check their nationalities. Last week in the EPL 10 clubs started 110 players in 5 matches and out of the 110 starters 33 were English born. That matches your 30% but if you remove Man Utd with their 6, out of that equation the other 9 clubs fielded 99 players and only 27 were "natives" dropping the % figure to 27%. Among the 30 substitutes named or used,only 7 were English again dropping the % to 23%. So that 'money" is not given as an excuse the clubs checked were Arsenal,Spurs,Man Utd,Norwich,Swansea,WBA,Sthpton,Newcastle,Liv.Fulham, a good cross section I think you'll agree.The new chief of the FA is obviously worried by the trend. Yours jb
mahonjt
Guest
Thats fair enough!
fadida
Guest
I share your concerns about young Australian talent getting opportunities above average "foreigners" jb, though a number of clubs are really looking to promote youth now. Interestingly from an English POV there is much gnashing and wailing about the number of foreign players (70%) in the league. What I find really interesting is that in the 70's and 80's when there were no non-British players (or close enough to none), England (plus Scotland, Ireland,Wales) failed to qualify for 2 world cups, and again in 94 when 70% of top division players were English. England's results have actually been better/more consistent in the years of greater foreign presence. Coincidence, or is it quality over quantity, and are English players benefitting from playing and against better players? Without foreigners would there be 100% of players who are English but with poor technique, diets, tactics etc? Finally, I notice 2 of the 15 (yes 15) players that Crystal Palace signed haven't made the 25 man squad for the EPL. Madness. I think Milligan has dodged a bullet.
Gordon
Guest
It has been overlooked that first-team football at MV will put MM in better stead for a WC spot under Holger than possibly warming a bench at Crystal Palace. Also consider the shorter season, better injury recovery in a warmer climate, access to sports medicine and the comforts of home, the last one important when you have a young family. MM may have his reasons for not wanting to jump on QF9 to London.
Gordon
Guest
Erroneous double post
j binnie
Guest
AZ RBB - Thank you for your intelligent & well debated view point. Faith in my ability to pick a "good" blogger has been restored & I will again enioy reading your future contributions. Now to your reply. There ARE,as you suggest, huge differences between the EPL & the HAL, "money" being the biggest of those differences, & that money will continue to attract the best players to that country. It is here you & I differentiate slightly in opinion for I am not totally against HAL clubs importing players but am wary of the fact that we have a high incidence of our 10 clubs seeking replacements overseas & even scarier the same high incidence of existing HAL players moving from club to club within the HAL itself. Combine these 2 factors & the "window of opportunity" for young players playing in lower leagues ,striving for improvement, is severely curtailed. AZ, ask yourself this question, If you have an imported player, or even 3, from overseas & are pleased with his/their performance, you can enjoy his/their talent for 3 years, encourage him/them to apply for citizenship, & if successful have a (foreign) player/or 3, outwith your quota.(In the case of Traore perhaps even filling a Socceroo spot very soon). A simple equation is that in 3 years you coud have 3 " new Australians" in your team joined by another 3 "new foreigners" in the quota system. Six tried & tested HAL players in your team with not a cent spent on them during their formative years of development (6-16). How much easier & cheaper is this to accomplish than spend the necessaries that will see the emergence of another Golden Generation ,only this time , a GG, created within our own HAL system, & that my friend is the basis of my worry. Good to hear from you. jb
ciudadmarron
Guest
Has there been a statement from Milligan on this? People seem to assume that he was desperate to go, but it would have been a risk in a WC year of not getting first team football and also having to move his family half way across the world.
Lachie
Guest
I am very glad Milligan stayed, as I am a victory supporter, and want melbourne to win which he will help with. A League clubs are often guilty of forgetting their supporters. Getting more supporters is how to grow a club, not all this BS about getting recognised in the global market, and supporters are drawn to success more than anything else. Unless the deal was at a level where the money would actually benefit melbourne on-field, then Ange should not (and thankfully did not) sell.
AZ_RBB
Guest
There's one enormous difference between EPL and A League. England's best are not plying their trade in other leagues around the world. EPL is essentially the be all and end all for them. The odd player travels but it's a rarity nowadays. On the other hand our best are scattered around the world with a select few in the local league. The A League could be saturated with foreigners but our best still can go excel in other countries like they have for so many years now including our "Golden Generation" whereas EPL will always keep its place at the heart of English football as its primary source of players for the NT. In good time I hope FFA further restricts foreign player numbers but right now they are essential for the growth of our league. See it almost as a form of positive discrimination.
j binnie
Guest
Mid - To a discussion point you made back in August 18th I had offered an opinion on how I worried about the number of "foreign" players starting to fill positions in our HAL teams & was "set upon" by 2 of your fellow contributors for darIng to suggest this could grow into a problem. I went on to say it was already a huge problem in the EPL & that opinion was immediately scoffed at by these 2 learned gentlemen. I do hope they were party to the inaugural speech the new FA top man made yesterday in which he outlined his opinion that unless something drastic was done there might well be no English born players playing in the EPL in a few years if the present trend continued unabated. He went on to say this would have an immeasureable affect on England's ability to produce a World Cup international 11 !!! . So maybe he is wrong?? Should we write & tell him???? Your mate jb.
AZ_RBB
Guest
MVFC v WSW has moved from February to January 14 meaning that two will meet in Melbourne twice within a couple of weeks almost. The change is due to Bruce Springsteen adding extra dates to his 2014 tour. The new date falls on a Tuesday night which means it will be tough for a lot of the WSW fans wanting to travel down. But it works out well for MVFC because they expect to play an ACL qualifier in mid Feb. Also gives the pitch more time to recover after The Boss.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
Blimey, alright I'm done debating. My points are out there and I feel they are still valid.