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One cannot doubt the positive impact players of this calibre have on their respective clubs both on and off the field, however the A-League needs to be careful not to import average foreign footballers if their signatures are to the detriment of young Australians football careers.
The big three have already heightened interest this season, as shown through the 93 000 fans that flocked to the first round, the highest single round attendance in the A-League’s history. However the hype failed to transfer to the scorecard as none of the big three won their first round and collectively were starved of opportunities. Both Del Piero and Heskey appeared not to be on the same wavelength as their teammates who’s service to their star signings was quite poor.
The time needed to create an effective footballing relationship with their teammates raises the question of whether clubs should focus more on the growth of their local talent, rather than signing average imports that seemingly do the same job. Clubs should only stick with signing big names, as their main advantage is off the field, shown through Heskey’s arrival to the Hunter, which saw an immediate spike in membership numbers.
Mariner’s coach Graeme Arnold believes A-League clubs need to be careful not to inhibit the development of potential Socceroos, claiming the performance of the Socceroos is of paramount importance. Arnold is concerned about the increasing percentage of imports.
“That is probably detrimental to our national team set-ups and that is probably what’s hurt our national teams, but for the A-league it’s good,” he said.
Young Novocastrian midfielder Jacob Pepper was among the best players for the Newcastle Jets last season once he secured a starting spot yet was omitted entirely from Gary Van Egmond’s line up yesterday. Fellow young Newcastle product James Virgili was by far the most dangerous player for the Jets yesterday however could only create the chances he did in the final 20 minutes after coming from the bench.
Current Socceroos coach Holger Osieck reinforced Arnold’s views, “if they are kept away from playing because some average foreign player plays in his position that is definitely the wrong approach.”
As well as the Mariners setting an example by only having three imports to blood young local talent, Wellington Phoenix also consider the national set up as imperative. Coach Ricki Herbert explained how Wellington has established an academy in the last six months, which will “go regional, then national, giving the Phoenix access to New Zealand's best talent.”
Why bother searching for the next Tim Cahill when we can just import the same talent from an overseas academy? It worries me if a similar mentality is adopted in Australian football. A-League clubs need to find a balance.