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Will Victory's transfer stance hurt the club?

Roar Guru
3rd September, 2013
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Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou reacts with the crowd. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt).
Roar Guru
3rd September, 2013
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1727 Reads

Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou has come out strongly in defence of the club’s refusal to let Mark Milligan join English Premier League club Crystal Palace, despite $1.4m on the table for the player.

The official reason from the club is that the payment was to be over two instalments, rather than all in one.

So, hang on, Milligan doesn’t get to play in the EPL because of a payment timing issue? Is this smart?

Or does this win Victory a battle over Mark Milligan, and lose the war for signing talented juniors and/or players returning to Australia to ignite their careers?

Last week the Central Coast Mariners signed two juniors who, according to Graham Arnold, are some of the best juniors we have ever had – and that includes Mustafa Amini.

One lives across the road from where Sydney FC train, and the other lives the other side of Liverpool, well over a two hour drive each way to training. But he is too young to drive.

Imagine your son was a prodigy – a hugely talented boy between 14 and 16. Would you consider Melbourne Victory now?

Imagine you were a talented Australian player currently overseas and want to return to Australia to develop your career. Would you now consider Melbourne Victory?

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Into the foreseeable future, Australia’s A-League will always be a development league. The best players we have will always go overseas to where the quality and pay cheques are higher.

Multiple Socceroos have returned to Australia, each seeking something different. An end of career farewell across Australia in front of appreciative crowds. A way to get maximum game-time and impress the national coach. Even just a way to start over and pick up the pieces.

From Harry Kewell to Nathan Burns to Richard Garcia, the A-League has a big part to play.

Looking to ensure that clubs aren’t disadvantaged on the player transfer market is not a moot point. Some of our best have gone for small amounts.

Postecoglou correctly argues Australia must get adequate returns for players. Milligan, at $1.4 million, is not bad and he is 28.

However, this action by the club to cling on to Milligan means quality juniors and players returning from overseas will not have Melbourne Victory high on their list of clubs to play for.

Where would I go as a junior? Melbourne Heart and Newcastle Jets have both given juniors starts and sold them overseas. The Mariners arguably lead in this area.

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Both Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers have coaches renowned for developing young players, especially Frank Farina who, when at the Brisbane Roar, developed many players.

Which team would you choose as your first preference if you were first a returning player or you were that child prodigy?

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