Pérez a role model at Central Coast Mariners

Patricio Pérez. One half of Central Coast Mariners' creative flair last season, Pérez was at times a revelation for the eventual runners up; controlling the midfield and entertaining both Bluetongue Stadium and Hyundai A-League fans across the country. When injured, coach Graham Arnold would allow youngster Mustafa Amini to step up into the number ten role – to great effect. With Perez now home in Argentina Amini will likely be given the starting spot over recent Mariners signing Adriano Pelegrino.

But how was Amini able to make the transition to playing first team football so easily? The answer lies in his older counterpart.

Patricio Pérez in action. Credit: Nick Guoth

Speaking exclusively to The Football Sack, Arnold revealed that Pérez's influence was an integral part of the young player's development;

“You can't underestimate how much Mustafa learnt off of Pérez whilst he was here. He became like a mentor to the kid and they got on fabulously well. Pérez used to sit and show him stuff on YouTube to show Musti how to play the number ten role.”

Amini, whose red afro haircut has quickly given him cult status, was amongst a wave of youth that was successfully utilized by the Central Coast Mariners last season - Matt Ryan and Bernie Ibini-Isei two other rising talents. Under Arnold's guidance, and perhaps Pérez's as well, Amini has established himself as a household name; a talented individual that we have yet to see the best of.

Whilst Pérez's time on the field was minimal in the 2010/11 season, he managed to rack up an impressive six goals and nine assists in only 15 games and when fit was by far the preferred option over Amini.

“When Pérez was fit Pérez played. There was a big difference between the two. It was mainly when he was injured that Musti played.”

Arnold was notably upset at the loss of his star midfielder. Having personally scouted Pérez from the lower leagues of Argentinian football, Arnold worked hard to get him match-fit and ready to fire in the Hyundai A-League. For the Mariners head coach, seeing the player leave the country is hard to bare.

“It's a real disappointment that the kid couldn't settle here in Australia with his wife and that he's gone back to Argentina to possibly play in the second or maybe even third division which is not the type of league for him”.

“I know Musti will miss him, he was a popular member of the group and a totally different style number ten to what we've had before.”

Despite the loss, Arnold remained upbeat for the players he has managed to retain – Amini in particular, who has been loaned back from Borussia Dortmund on a one year deal after signing with the Bundesliga giants last month.

“I'm very happy though – Musti has developed. He has a big year ahead of him. A lot of times with kids that age the second year is the toughest. Everyone now knows who Mustafa Amini is and who Matt Ryan is, so that's a challenge for them to perform to the same level this coming season.”

Arnold also weighed into the ongoing Harry Kewell saga, which looks to be coming to a close – at least for Melbourne Victory.

“If there's one player who can really add some finesse to the league, put bums on seats and give it a real kick along it's Harry.”

Victory released a statement on Friday confirming they were in the final stages of discussions with Kewell but would not comment further as to whether that was to complete the signing.