The Marquee player dream

To date, the international marquee spot in the A-League has been grossly misused, with only Dwight Yorke and Robbie Fowler bringing the star power and media coverage the spot was initially designed for.

There have been some great players on the marquee list but for every Fred there has been a Mario Jardel. Here at The Football Sack we've made our own list of future candidates for marquee positions. To qualify for that list the criteria is simple.

We are going with players over the age of 30 only (sure, we could put that Lionel Messi up front for Melbourne Heart or Christiano Ronaldo on the wing at Dairy Farmers stadium but we're trying to be a little realistic here). The players must have represented their country at a World Cup (aiming to tap into the once-every-four-years-fans on side). Also, they must be still playing at some sort of competitive level (oooh just missed out on Figo). Each team has been designated an "A" Marquee and a "B" Marquee.

In creating this list we are aiming high and understand that the majority would probably be out of reach financially. But, for a moment, just close your eyes, suspend your disbelief and dream...

Adelaide United

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Gianluca Zambrotta	33	Fullback	98	2	Milan	Fyfe's transfer means Zambrotta would slot nicely into the center of defense for the Reds
Alessandro Del Piero	36	Striker	91	29	Juventus	With over 500 appearances for Juve, Del Piero would be an ideal addition to the reds line up, even if it was for just a season given his age.

Melbourne Victory

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Alessandro Nesta	34	Centreback	78	0	Milan	With Muscat leaving at season's end and Leijer possibly trying a second European stint Nesta would be a great pick up, and given Melbourne's huge Italian population the crowds would flock (as well as the women)
Mikael Silvestre	33	Defender	40	2	Werder Bremen	The former Man Utd and Arsenal defender Silvestre would be an ideal fit if Nesta was to turn down the offer

Melbourne Heart

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Michael Ballack	34	Midfielder	98	42	Bayer Leverkusen	Possibly the biggest name on the list, Ballack would draw a crowd at every ground in Aus and at 34 not totally out of the question for a year or two.
Nuno Gomes	34	Striker	77	29	Benfica	Superb record at Benfica, would fit right in with Hearts philosophy on football and a hit with the ladies too.

Brisbane Roar

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Djibril Cisse	30	Striker	40	13	Panathinaikos	Possibly with another stint in the big leagues possible, Cisse would be an awesome signing at Brisbane
Andre Ooijer	35	Central Defender	55	3	Ajax	With Smith and Devere likely to go overseas sooner rather than later Ooijer would be a great replacement. and we all know he looks great in orange

Central Coast Mariners

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
David Trezeguet	33	Striker	71	34	Hercules	Not sure he'd fit into Arnies method but would surely get the fans in and score bucket loads of goals
Denilson	33	Winger	61	9	AO Kavala	Although well past his best, Denilson is a world cup winner, and a quality crosser of the ball

Wellington Phoenix

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Hernan Crespo	35	Striker	64	35	Parma	Crespo is Quality and has been to the biggest clubs in both Italy and England. a goal scoring record of nearly a goal every two games would be great for the yellow fever.
Emre	30	Midfielder	71	7	Fenerbahce	Brilliant passer and set piece maker. Emre's best and worst are poles are part, if anything near his best in the A-League then he would be an awesome signing

Newcastle Jets

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Michael Owen	31	Striker	89	40	Manchester United	Isn't seeing much game time, just what the Jets need too, another child prodigy from England who is injury prone. If fit and with the right service he would tear the A League apart
John Dahl Thomasson	34	Striker/Midfielder	112	52	Feyenoord	A great record of goals at whatever club he has been at (aside from Newcastle United)

Sydney FC

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Ronaldinho	30	Forward	88	32	Flamengo	The Sky Blues need to get there bling back and Ronaldinho would bring it in one swoop. Once the best player in the world, he would set the SFS alight.
Papa Bouba Diop	32	Central Midfield	63	11	AEK Athens	Sydney's problem has been in their Midfield all year, Diop would fit in perfectly.

North Queensland Fury

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Francesco Totti	34	Attacking Midfielder	58	9	Roma	Totti is a household name worldwide and would be a welcome addition to the Fury midfield, the conversations between Franz Straka and Totti would be some awesome listening too
Giovanni van Bronckhorst	35	Leftback/Midfielder	106	6	Feyenoord	Why not give NQF two "A" Marquee players? They need it.

Perth Glory

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Miroslav Klose	32	Striker	105	58	Bayern Munich	A World Cup record that is up there with the best, imagine Klose and Fowler in full flight in-front of the Shed
Christoph Metzelder	30	Centreback	47	0	Schalke 04	Perth struggle at the back and Metzelder would be ideal

Gold Coast United

Name	Age	Position	Int. Caps	Int. Goals	Current Club	Details
Raul	33	Striker	102	44	Schalke 04	The club with the deepest pockets and the smallest crowd deserves what i think is the best and most expensive player on our list. If Raul cant get bums on seats then they may as well pack up the Gold Coast now.
Nwankwo Kanu	34	Forward	84	13	Portsmouth	With Smeltz only signed onto the end of the year, Kanu up front wouldn't be that far out of the question

What other international players do you dream of seeing play on Australian shores? Who do you think would light up the A-League and draw spectators in droves?