Word is that two unnamed English clubs and Scottish club Rangers are interested in Sydney FC midfielder Brandon O’Neill. But what would that mean for Sydney FC?
The Sky Blues could replace O’Neill with a well-established A-League player, they can fork out a large sum of money and get someone who’s at the end of their career – a big name and possibly even a marquee – or they can replace him with a youngster.
Cameron Devlin seeming the most likely if Sydney opt with the young option.
At the moment, when Sydney struggle with the press, either Josh Brillante or O’Neill comes back to form a back three, and the other plays as a long central midfielder. If Sydney has comfortable possession and are eager to get the ball up into the attacking end of the field, then Rhyan Grant (right back) and Michael Zullo (left back) push up as wingers, then Brillante comes in at right back, and O’Neill comes in at left back.
They then attempt to carry up the ball in that way, and they cut back in to their regular positions when they have moved the ball further up.
Without O’Neill, there is one unanswered question: is Devlin comfortable on the ball like O’Neill when being pressed hard? If he is, then nothing will change and the team will play the same way.
But if Devlin isn’t comfortable on the ball while being pressured, then there are two options: change the play or don’t start Devlin.
Now, it is unlikely Steve Corica would change the way the whole team plays, because Devlin is only 20 years old and this is Corica’s first managing job, so he won’t be looking to change the style Graham Arnold had so much success with yet.
On the other hand, the gaffer is probably not willing to pay big money for someone, as O’Neill was young when he first came and he’s turned into an amazing player. As such, Devlin seems the most likely replacement, and Sydney will use all the power they have to teach the youngster to cope.
As for O’Neill and Brillante’s partnership? As one of the best defensive midfielder partners to ever grace the A-League, Sydney FC can’t afford to lose that. One of the only positives from their game against Melbourne Victory was that Brillante and O’Neill were the best (in terms of their partnership) that I’ve seen all season.
While O’Neill’s will likely leave the A-League at some point, for now it seems like he is fully focused on Sydney FC.
Scott
Guest
With what money would this new Scottish club pay for a player, let alone one born to Irish-Catholic parents who are Celtic-daft? Have the reports of the impending doom of the new entity (flagged by the South African career criminal himself who us running the club) been largely ignored?
lesterlike
Roar Rookie
If O'Neil has ambitions to play for Ireland and settling properly in Europe, then signing for Rangers would be a pretty silly move.
Jack George
Roar Guru
He sounds like a great replacement, but I'd have to see how composed he is in the first team before choosing him or Devlin. But the fact that he's already the u17 captain means he must have a bright future!
Ms Crosby
Guest
Great article Jack! I see a future in sports journalism!!
Barca4life
Guest
With Devlin he used to be in the WSW set up and he’s 20, but Teague probably has bigger upside given he’s the Australia u17 captain and a lot more younger, Apparently Trevor Morgan the coach of the Joeys rates him and Birkan Kirdar who is at Melb Victory highly.
chris
Guest
Playing as a number 8 is not really a defensive midfielder in my opinion. Of course they are meant to defend when not in possession but for me their main role is to push in behind the 10 and 9 and provide spark and support from deeper lying areas. That's where I would see him if the need required.
Fadida
Guest
At Work
Jack George
Roar Guru
Do you mean the Sydney youth team? If so do you think he would be a better replacement then Devlin?
Barca4life
Guest
Keep an eye on Ryan Teague who is from the first batch from the National Curriculum who also was the Joeys captain is a 16-year-old midfielder can also be an option as well. He's with the NYL squad and i expect him in the next 2 seasons to be a future option to replace O'Neill.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Who's AW?
Jack George
Roar Guru
I agree, but he didn't play a full central role. He played in the gap between Brillante and Grant, and I agree, he looked very impressive in that role, but the skills that he showed made me think even more that he is more of a winger than a defensive midfielder.
Fadida
Guest
Brattan is slow and lazy, and like O'Neill only shines when the team he plays in is dominant
Fadida
Guest
Sums up my thoughts AW. He's a player that looks good with good players around him, when the team dominates. I'd be very confident thaf if he played in a team like the CCM we wouldn't be talking about him
Jack George
Roar Guru
How so?
chris
Guest
Jack, Retre looked very comfortable when playing centrally last week. He's still developing but he wanted to get on the ball and what he did when he was on it was pleasing.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Brattan would make Sydney wooden spoon material in combination with the current center backs.
Jack George
Roar Guru
I agree, he doesn't have enough quality to make it into the Manchester City team
Jack George
Roar Guru
I agree, the referees need to be a bit more watchful on Brillante and O'Neill, but I would argue that in England there are even more professional fouls that don't get called.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Yes, but he can manage to hold onto the ball when being pressed, and you have to admit that he has composure.
At work
Roar Rookie
You say "Without O’Neill, there is one unanswered question: is Devlin comfortable on the ball like O’Neill when being pressed hard?" But I would argue that O'Neill isn't actually that capable on the ball when being pressed. His passing suffers when he is put under pressure. Don't get me wrong, I think he does his job well but he isn't really very strong at distributing to attacking players up field.