Adelaide United’s Chinese recruit given time to develop, as Reds face injury concern ahead of back-to-back Melbourne City clashes
Veteran defender Michael Marrone says Adelaide United will give its Chinese recruit time to develop in a new league. But the Reds face an injury concern for a key man ahead of back-to-back clashes with Melbourne City.
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Adelaide United will give Chinese recruit Yongbin Chen time to develop in a new league and adapt to a different country, according to veteran defender Michael Marrone.
But the Reds might face a key withdrawal ahead of Sunday’s A-League meeting with Melbourne City and next week’s FFA Cup final against the same opponent.
Marrone was in a positive frame of mind, despite his side’s season-opening loss to Sydney FC, when he spoke to media at United’s Playford training ground on Wednesday afternoon:
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NEW BLOOD
Adelaide announced it had signed attacking midfielder Chen from sister club Qingdao Red Lions on Tuesday night, just before the Australian transfer window closed.
Marrone admitted he knew little about the 20-year-old, who had not appeared in the Chinese third-tier this past campaign.
But the 210-game stalwart said he would reserve judgment until Chen had received visa clearance and arrived in SA.
“It’s hard to comment because I haven’t seen him yet,” Marrone, 32, said.
“But hopefully we can develop a good young player.
“With the scouting available, they probably picked the best player that they could develop.
“I’m sure they probably looked at a few things, but you’d want to pick the best player you could.
“We’ll wait until he gets here.”
INJURY CONCERN
Marrone, a second-half substitute in the round-one defeat following Ryan Strain’s red card, might be required to line-up at centre back in the City clashes.
Stopper Jordan Elsey was spotted with strapping on his left knee during Reds training and was restricted to bike work alongside hamstring injury victim Mirko Boland.
Elsey was believed to have picked up a knock during the last-gasp 3-2 reverse to the Sky Blues, but played the full 90 minutes.
Adelaide was expected to make a final call on the SA-born defender on Thursday ahead of naming its squad for the weekend’s league meeting.
Elsey has previously suffered two ACL ruptures during his United career.
FAMILIAR FOE
United will have faced City five times since mid-August by the time its FFA Cup decider at Hindmarsh Stadium concludes next Wednesday.
Marrone, who played for the Victorian club under its Melbourne Heart guise from 2010-13, had been impressed by its progress under new French coach Eric Mombaerts.
“They’re a changed side from last year,” said Marrone, who took on City in three pre-season games with the Reds this term.
“They play really attractive football and they’re very dangerous.
“We’re going to have to play well to get a result.
“But if our last home game is anything to go by, we’ll play nice and free and attacking and do our best to get goals.”