As soon as Aaron Mooy really hit his straps this year, everyone wrote him off as a certainty to leave and go to Europe.
Everyone seemed convinced that Mooy would leave during the January Transfer window, but after many rumours and speculation, he didn’t.
Yes it is obvious Mooy has the ability to play in nearly any top European competition, and after his stellar season with Melbourne City and with the Socceroos any team would be barking mad not to want his services, City included. However, I’m going to look at the situation differently.
First of all, Aaron is still contracted with City for the 2016-17 season, so City would have to sell him. Any team in the A-League would not hesitate to accept a potential $2-4 million transfer fee for the Socceroos midfielder – all except City.
For the CFG, four million is peanuts, City needs quality players, they don’t need money. City will do all they can to keep Aaron’s services, they will not want to sell him.
The other angle to this story is Aaron’s. He has a young family and would, I presume, love a healthy weekly wage.
Most players in the A-League receive a significant pay when they move on overseas, A-League clubs can’t compete with other leagues pay wages. That is, all clubs bar City.
Mooy can practically name his wage, a luxury he wouldn’t be able to have in Europe. City can pay him whatever he wants, as Aaron is already occupying a Marquee spot. I personally believe Aaron has it very good down at AAMI Park, he can get whatever pay he wants and has the run of the midfield.
What do you think Roarers? Could Aaron follow suit of such Asian players as Omar abdulrahman and Nasser Al-Shamran, who both rejected Europe to continue to dominate their local league, on huge wagers? Or is this just a City supporter’s dream?
Is Aaron Mooy practically out the door?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
C'mon Waz, that's a huge exaggeration, on the whole, the Eredivisie is streaks ahead of the A-League. You might be able to make an argument for the clubs battling to stave off relegation - but the top half of the table is quality.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
I tend to agree, i've watched much more Eredivisie over the last few years following Aussies playing there. You only have to look at the league table to see theres a big gap between the top sides and the rest.
Tom
Guest
rumour is he's on 1.3 million already.
Waz
Guest
I'm going to be controversial now and say the Dutch league isn't a big step up from the HAL, they're very similar imo. In fact, the only times there's a real difference is with those clubs playing in Europe
Uncle Junior
Guest
Mooy's Dutch background is extremely important to him. This article from 2013 explains a lot about Aaron Mooy, the man, off -the-pitch: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/tough-look-hides-a-grand-design-20130216-2eju2.html
marron
Guest
Bang. I don't know how close he is to his dutch roots but that would be a great move regardless. As others have said he's a confidence player who benefits from a bit more of an open style and a bit if space. The Netherlands is a great option in terms of culturally fitting in for Australians; it's also a league where mooys style of play would be suitable and there'd be a number of clubs who'd be able to take him even further, ajax being top of the pile in that respect. It'd be interesting to see if he'd get a lot of game time though.
tully101
Roar Guru
luongo and mooy are very different players, Luongo is much better in tight areas
Tom
Guest
I hope he stays. city has been amazing for his career, he has improved remarkably in the last 2 years. I think its highly unlikely however.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Yeah Davidson's average, it never really happened for Oar for whatever reason. I don't believe it was a case of ability as Ipswich wanted him to stay. Loungo is doing well in that league i'd certainly put Mooy at his level.
Peter Cotton
Guest
From a purely selfish point of view, I hope Mooy stays here until after Russia 2018. Would hate to see him move to Europe and become a benchwarmer. Would not be good for him or The Socceroos.
tully101
Roar Guru
Australian players have gone well in Hollard, but when they move away they have really struggled, i.e. Oar & davidson, both cant really crack it in the 2nd division of england
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
That would be perfect, most A-league players who have moved there in recent times haven't had much trouble adjusting. Ajax though is just that little bit higher in standard to take Mooy to the next level if he's good enough,which i believe he is.
tully101
Roar Guru
i swear in the past few years we have had numerous Australians linked to Ajax, but not a single one has worked out. however a team playing european football constantly would be ideal for mooy
tully101
Roar Guru
i agree with that point, Mooy thrives with time and space, something which is not readily available in England, as i said in a previous conversation, Italy would be perfect for Mooy, he could easly fit into a mid table side in the serie A
Uncle Junior
Guest
Yes, I've heard he's moving to the Netherlands. If it's Ajax that's just perfect. Also reported Craig Goodwin has signed for Sparta Rotterdam, who are almost certain to be in Eredivisie next season. Holland, Belgium, Portugal.. or less fashionable clubs in Germany and France should be destinations for all Aussies making a move to Europe. If Goodwin and Mooy make the move to Holland they'll join Juric & De Silva in the Eredivise. Adam Sarota's team currently in the playoffs for promotion to Eredivisie
asanchez
Roar Guru
My mail is that Mooy has already signed a contract to go to Ajax at the end of this season. Not sure on transfer fees, but this is what I've heard. If this is the case, it's a good move for Aaron. IMO the EPL is not the panacea, he's a very technical player, much more suited to a Holland, Germany, Spain or Italy. Good luck to him.
Bob
Guest
Even in somewhere like Italy he would have to deal with man-to-man marking. It is telling that the only serious rumour of an overseas move came not from Europe but from the Middle East. Me I hope he stays the rest of his career here, great to watch :)
Bob
Guest
It is very, very debatable if Aaron entirely makes the space himself. The EPL guest commentator Fox Sports used a few weeks back made the comment himself that there is "more space" and the games a slower pace than over in England which is where he might struggle if he went there. Cold, wet January's in blighty are not ideal for Aarons sort.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
That's my only question mark over him, i have no doubts he's good enough ability wise. He's obviously very introverted and i think a big part of why he came home in the first place was he found it difficult, especially after his chronic back injury, to settle in Scotland.
SVB
Guest
Mooy is a confidence player from what I saw at the Wanderers. If the coach and other players don't believe in him, his confidence tends to get shattered. He needs to have the right people around him, otherwise he is nowhere near as effective. A lower Serie A or EPL manager might not see what he wants in him, and that could be bad for Mooy's career. He needs to be careful about where he chooses to go, if he does so.