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The recent exodus of Western Sydney Wanderers players after a successful first two seasons has raised many an eyebrow.
One of those players leaving is defender Jerome Polenz, who blames salary cap restrictions for the exodus.
Polenz admitted that financial inflexibility from the club lead to his departure, “…we couldn’t agree financially and that’s why I’m not there any longer. The A-League is a fantastic league and is definitely improving but it needs to look at the salary cap.”
Currently sitting at $2.7 million for each club, not including one international and local marquee player, the Wanderers and A-League face a tough time drawing and retaining talented footballers.
Major League Soccer in America have similar restrictions but give clubs $3.1 million in spending, along with three marquee players that don’t contribute to the salary cap.
While I’m not keen on an any significant increases to the salary cap, I think the MLS have struck a good middle ground where young players that surpass an amateur level can be retained for the higher price tag their skill demands.
Both differences the MLS has allow for a sense of progression within clubs, players that prove themselves can challenge for a marquee listing or increased wage. This is instead of forcing players to look for a bigger pay packet at another club and ultimately another country.
With the likes of Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand looking for clubs, I can’t help but feel the A-League’s hopes of making these signings are close to none. A-League clubs aren’t willing to gamble their one marquee signing on players that are potentially past their prime.
It is in this that I believe increasing the number of marquee players will increase the likelihood of clubs taking the gamble on such players and in turn ensure the popularity of the A-League only continues to rise.
Because whether you like it or not, it is these players that will draw the crowds rain, hail or shine to the A-League and right now that’s the type of dedication our game needs.
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