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?
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.
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?
Orly
Guest
The difference between MV and the likes of CCM, Heart etc is that MV simply don't need to sell players to keep the club afloat. Every A-League club would love to be in this position. With 20K+ members and the new TV deal covering the salary cap, the club is now surely in a cashed up position and can play hardball with European clubs who have been paying a pittance for Aussie players since the late 80s.
Bondy
Guest
Fussball A bloody great " Victory" personally , you'll never takes us alive. Lol.
AVictory
Guest
I'm from Melbourne and I agree, it's a meaningless poll and i haven't quoted it since I was 15 No-one cares about some obscure popularity contest
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Match in Gosford on 29 Nov is the one I want to win ... Still reeling from the humiliating loss from last season when Nathan Coe had several brain fades!
Bondy
Guest
I agree Griffo with Ryan thats how we break even moving them on for a fee. Mid as a Mariners supporter I understand that Arnie will try to move kids onto their big dream,supporters dont feel overjoyed when they leave I can assure you,but I understand, the only thing is that I see an undeveloped Ryan Rogic Amini, Griffiths and so on then really never see them again until the National Team if they get there. Does the supporter ever get thought of in this country ?, No.
Midfielder
Guest
Off topic .. from the Drive bys forum ... just enjoy.... http://www.westsydneyfootball.com/topic/1971-amazing-pictures-thread/page-3
kurt
Guest
im not saying that they should, but i am saying if he wants to go and they wont let him go, be prepared to have people sit there and say ill go where the release is more likely
Kasey
Guest
I know in a small league such as ours the idea of a ‘second club’ is illogical at best. But there is also a strong “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” factor and I must admit I do enjoy the continued existence of MHT simply because on various boards the sheer annoyance their very existence seems to generate amongst MBV fans. I would *never* cheer for them, but I do hope they sort out their issues and somehow have a winning season (just not against my club) so that we can see how much and if there is a measure of support for them out there. Its hard to gauge when they’ve been mostly mediocre since joining the comp except when they’ve beaten Victory, where I dare say they had a lot of ‘game-day’ on the couch fans.
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Wouldn't take anything Heart say all that seriously, they can barely break even let alone invest in an Academy type setup (there are few clubs that can although the extra TV money will help), and that's without going into Munn saying they are a "youth policy" club when Harry went to MVFC and then they end up with players 30+ years of age etc As far as MVFC go, think our youth orientation has more to do with Ange and his history of working with youth players as the Australian youth coach, WSW still in the establishment phase and it would be a few years before they could start to focus on something like an Academy, even then it is up to whoever ends up buying them Perth may be going that direction under Edwards given his previous youth related roles (I think)
AZ_RBB
Guest
is the WIlliam Gallas chase going anywhere?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ nickoldschool I agree the player discontent can be an issue if the transfer is rejected, but MVFC has the ultimate carrot for Mark Milligan ... .. play well this year & you are on the park when the whistle sounds for the AUS NT opening match in Brasil 2014. ... play badly this year & you're on the beach at Copacabana watching the World Cup with the rest of those, who didn't take their chance. Additionally, I'd assume a player who doesn't perform & pouts will lose their market value. Suarez wanted to leave Liverpool, but I bet he gives 100% this season to ensure his market appeal doesn't diminish.
Midfielder
Guest
Shock you actually believe that News reporters would make something up ... shock horror...
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss 2- Middy 1 ... you win...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Middy, apparently the parties couldn't reach mutually agreeable terms for the sponsorship. However, I've also read that "Cheap As Chips" are keen to become a major investor in CCM. ... apparently the majority shareholding is currently on sale at "The $2 Shop". Stay tuned for more details ...
mahonjt
Guest
Agree - it has been alleged by journalists many times - but I am yet to see the club sugest this was the reason. I may be wrong. But given the centrality of this point to the entire article - it seems like an important point of clarification.
mahonjt
Guest
The problem with the scenarios painted in this article is that they each require a different response. There is no 'one size fits all' club who has a preferred place in a players mind. It depends on: 1. player cost (this matters more to some clubs than others). 2. player relationships (i.e. with the current or future coach). 3, player age (i.e. relative potential / experience trade off which impacts on price). 4. player field position (i.e. is the player needed here/away and will he play?). 5. player source location (i.e. where are they returning from/going to which impacts price). 6. player family preference (i.e. 'a happy wife it a happy life'). 7. player NT position (i.e. the need for football or otherwise). and much, much more..... Ultimately, in a 'like for like' comparison – the clubs with more money and better facilities can afford the better players. This is hardly a secret in world football - however it is rarely true that 'like for like' comparisons can be made. The mercenary marquee (however talented) being the main exception.
Midfielder
Guest
NUFCMVFC & Fuss Any truth to the rumour that MV has a new sponsor ... Trade Me.com ...
pete4
Guest
That's right if Milligan has a solid World Cup MVFC could get $4-5M plus transfer fee easily
fadida
Guest
Agree. Can't believe so many people think clubs should let contracted players leave whenever they want, regardless of how it may negatively affect the host club
Midfielder
Guest
Was in news reports yesterday ... to busy right now to find it...