As Neymar exited Camp Nou stroppily, stamping his feet and shouting rude expletives at the hierachy, the footballing landscape changed seismically.
The creme de la creme of football’s elite have been forced to sell, getting a taste of their own medicine in the process. It’s been proven: everyones a selling club now, regardless of stature.
While we might be in a league of our own, Aussie players aren’t exempt to the machinations of the global market either. In this vein, here are three A-League players most likely to be poached from their respective clubs by more cashed up sides.
1) Lawrence Thomas
All hail the bandage man! While his heroics in last seasons Grand Final have been well documented, Thomas is hardly a one-hit wonder.
With a save style reminiscent of the great Lev ‘Black Spider’ Yashin, the stylish shot stopper should be moving on to greener pastures in the near future.
2) Vedran Janjetovic
Derby brain fart aside, the quietly unassuming Janjetovic is a seriously underrated keeper. While he did lose the title of league’s best to Young last season, he actually shades Jamie in many facets – not least his stellar reflexes and one-on-one presence.
He could command his area better, though, as evidenced by the error in the derby. That said there are plenty of clubs overseas who need a new keeper.
What is it with Australia and great keepers?
3) Adam Taggart
Ah, Taggs man. Australia’s answer to Jack Wilshere. The immensely talented forward is perpetually hamstrung by a seemingly endless litany of fitness issues. On his day, though, he is one of Australia’s finest. He should be our Asian Cup No.9 if fit and firing.
What do you think of the players listed? Are they the genuine article or just flattering to deceive?
Australia has seen the last of its golden generation, but these players give Socceroos fans hope for the future. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Vanessa
Guest
Good stuff!
Chen Yang
Roar Pro
Epl players should always be a step up from the a league. Would rather have tomi juric back though if thats the kind of striker we need, costs less in wages and is more versatile
Richv
Roar Rookie
I think Wood would be a regular starter. Just what the Nix need. Tall strong striker that can hold the ball up and feed off to the smaller quicker guys like Krishna. Also a target man for crosses.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
So a question, Do you think the NZ striker, Chris Wood is good enough for the A League? He's a big lad, strong and was the top scorer in the Championship playing for Leeds last season. Now he's playing EPL for Burnley but he's no star in that league. Personally, I don't think he'd be a regular starter at Phoenix.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Agree. Both Taggart and Thomas are very good, but need to take the next step. Janjetovic is overrated; consistently prone to error. It's no coincidence that both SFC and WSW have struggled when he has been number 1
Waz
Roar Rookie
I would disagree with all three. Thomas and Taggart are one piece missing from being “too good for their clubs” but both are young enough to fix these, but can they? The A League is full of players with potential but unable to kick on. Janjetovic is not even in the top 3 keepers in the competition so I don’t get his inclusion here?
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I’m inclined to say that Thomas and Janjetovic are solid (for the most part) but nothing exceptional, or perhaps they don’t do anything to get noticed by overseas clubs in the way that Matt Ryan has achieved in recent times. There again, that has to be good for the A League as nobody really wants to watch a player develop in a short period of time and then disappear to europe or south america for a decade before perhaps returning in their twilight years even if it is slightly inevitable in some cases.