Over the past 16 years, 83 different nationalities have taken part in the A-League.
Players from England have represented a very high percentage of these visa players. However there have been more failures then successes from the old country.
Could Jack Wilshere be the next one to try his luck down under?
The Newcastle Jets have held informal discussions with Wilshere’s agent Neil Fewings about the possibility of bringing the mercurial Englishman to the Hunter region as a marquee player.
Arthur Papas has done a wonderful job transforming the Jets this off-season. They have seen 13 new faces come through the door while several have exited.
It is a squad that is not spectacular on paper but should be extremely competitive and capable of making opposition teams lives’ difficult this season.
One thing they are missing is a marquee player though. Could Jack Wilshere fit that description?
Wilshere is best known for his time with English Premier League side Arsenal, where he spent several years winning two FA Cups and a host of individual awards like the best young player in the Premier League.
“Spanish technique, but an English heart” is a famous quote his ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger used to once describe his talented protege.
Wilshere was one of the best young technical central midfielders to come at a time when English players were not known for their technical abilities with the ball.
(Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
He seamlessly could go from playing as an attacking midfielder one match, to a deep-lying midfielder the next or even a box-to-box type the following.
The possibilities seemed endless for the budding young star, but like many prodigies, his world came crashing down.
His hard-partying lifestyle and smoking habits were constantly splashed on the UK gossip pages, but it was something else – he seemed to have been hexed with the dreaded injury curse.
Wilshere’s injury list while at Arsenal was lengthy, with eight of the 16 injuries picked up being related to his ankle.
Even after his departure from Arsenal, the former England international missed countless games at West Ham United and Bournemouth due to serious injuries.
Over 1400 days have been missed in his career, which is a staggering four years.
Rival fans over the years have had a field day with the ‘Jack wheelchair’ chants that are sung when he is on the field.
Wilshere is still only 29 years old and currently unemployed – but has been training with his old club Arsenal to stay fit.
A move away from the country of his birth might be best for Wilshere though. The constant taunts have not only mentally taken their toll on the player, but also his young family.
Wilshere’s recent comments about potentially retiring show a man that has become jaded with the attention and scrutiny received during his career.
Clubs from the Middle East and Championship in England have made enquiries, but seem to have baulked at Wilshere’s large six-figure-a-week wage demands.
The Jets’ interest has come from nowhere. They are still being propped up by several A-League teams and the cost, let alone Wilshere’s awful injury record, should make any form of deal prohibitive for the club.
English players have generally struggled on the pitch in Australia. Success stories like Adam Le Fondre are minimal compared to the usual dime-a-dozen failures like Ryan Shotton.
Jack Wilshere moving to the Jets is more than likely a pipe dream. It’s not without merit though. It’s given the embattled club’s fans hope and brought some much-needed overseas attention to the A-League.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
Agreed, forget the wage; his injury record alone shoukd be a turn off especially when European players struggle on our hard pitches
chris
Guest
Navas is scared of flying so I don't think he'd get on a plane to Aus :)
Bendtner52
Roar Pro
Agree with your article and also the points made by Grem and Tim Carter. The points on him not demanding a six figure salary are also valid, you would hope the Jets management would be sensible enough to structure the deal as a pay per play deal with a lower base salary A fit Jack Wilshere is worth a six or maybe even a seven figure salary, but if he only plays 4 games, then obviously not. People forget he ran rings around Xavi and Iniesta in 2011, he could be, fitness permitting, as good as Diamanti
Grem
Roar Rookie
I agree, even though my comments below are different. I'd still love our A League to sign him, but as he's already financially sound I am hoping he'll come for a good salary and the experience of being in Australia. Siem De Jong did quite well with Sydney and he was injury prone when he came.
Waz
Roar Rookie
He looks exactly the sort of player our competition should NOT be signing.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I'm sure they'd do medicals before signing off.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Yep lets sign a injured English back packer over youth and he can limp on and off the field for 6 games of the season just for the sake of having a BIG NAME!!.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
six figures per week? I think its insane to pay a player 20 times more than their marketing value. A lack of emerging world wide talent has meant old players are being hung on to and being overpaid. When the A-league first started old players overseas were discarded quite rightly. The list of names the A-league got was incredible, but then you had China, the MLS all get in on the act and now all these famous older players are expecting top dollar. Dwight Yorke was paid a third of Honda, and Honda had little marquee value. The FFA putting money into Honda was a disaster, while the marketing was non existent at the same time. The marquee boat has sailed its no longer viable. Bolt would have been cheaper and attracted huge crowds and ratings. Single dumbest decision in A-league history not to have Bolt as a marquee, the AFL would have been soiling its pants at the prospect of Bolt being in the A-league.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Love to see it happen - we need some names in the A League to attract the casual viewer and supporter and add interest for our rusted on supporters, too. And, like most A League followers I'd like to see Newcastle do well - he would be great for the club. The more successful Newcastle is will give the group holding them together a better chance of selling the club to a serious investor as well.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Even if Newcastle don't land Wilshire, the A-League should be chasing disillusioned players who are young enough to get back to (or close to) their peaks as top players in European leagues. Thomas Broich was a prime example. Jesus Navas would've been a good option, though I'm happy he got back on track in Spain. Despite his injuries and behaviour, Wilshire would be a leader on-field, and a marketer's dream off it. There is no player in the world that can be guaranteed not to be struck down by injury.