A-League imports bringing new quality and spreading the word about the Australian game
This year’s A-League imports are setting a new bar for quality and consistency and those players are now spreading the word about the growth of the Australian game. PLUS, we reveal this season’s 10 best foreigners.
A-League
Don't miss out on the headlines from A-League. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After almost 200 appearances in the English Premier League, Steven Taylor has turned into an unofficial marketing officer — for the A-League.
The long-time Newcastle United defender has had something of an epiphany since taking up residence with Wellington Phoenix, and wasted no time telling his top-flight friends in England.
“I speak to players back home in the Premier League now about it,” Taylor tells The Daily Telegraph.
“There’s players I want to come out here from the Premier League. It’s good they’re all asking the questions about Wellington and Australia.
“I talk to them on a regular basis, telling them about the A-League, the whole structure out here and how it’s getting better and better.
“A lot of people looked at the MLS maybe five years ago in the same sort of light as they’re looking at the A-League now.
“It’s definitely on the way with the players it’s attracting — World Cup players, European players who’ve played Champions League.”
Melbourne Victory’s World Cup recruits Keisuke Honda and Ola Toivonen top that list, but there’s also a general quality and experience accompanying this season’s string of nearly 50 foreigners.
Most of the 23 new imports have played in the world’s big five leagues and Japan legend Honda agreed his new competition is on the way up.
“Aussie football and rugby, I’ve never seen many sports so popular and soccer is not top,” Honda says.
“But I think soccer is getting (more) famous every year. It’s like the US, so I think it’s very important to watch A-League now.”
That’s not just for the non-natives — a raft of local talent ups the ante at every club and a number of Socceroos have returned, but it’s nicely balanced with those from other countries.
That’s certainly the case for Brisbane Roar striker Adam Taggart, who’s already gelling seamlessly with Danish winger Tobias Mikkelsen.
“Sometimes there’s players you click with,” Taggart says.
“Someone like Tobi, we probably share similar views in football, and when you do, you just tend to move and play the way the other person does.”
Newcastle have added Brazilian striker Jair to the attacking ranks alongside Venezuelan standout Ronny Vargas and Socceroo Dimi Petratos.
The 30-year-old wasn’t in the best physical condition on arrival in September but coach Ernie Merrick’s is sure he’ll give the grand finalists another dimension.
Further south, early signs suggest rookie Sydney FC coach Steve Corica has made intelligent moves in the market to replace record-breaking A-League Golden Boot Bobo and current Johnny Warren Medallist Adrian Mierzejewski.
An untimely hamstring injury has sidelined Dutch marquee Siem de Jong but English striker Adam Le Fondre has already backed himself to break the lofty 27-goal record of Brazilian predecessor Bobo.
And with good reason — the one-time English Premier League striker has already forged a formidable combination with skipper Alex Brosque and 2016-17 Johnny Warren Medallist Milos Ninkovic and has four A-League goals and three FFA Cup games.
“Adam is very easy to link up with, he makes a lot of runs and he’s constantly testing the defence,” Brosque says.
“The most important thing is he scores goals, so he steps into Bobo’s shoes very comfortably.”
Some class has carried over from last campaign including Ninkovic, Diego Castro, lsaias, Ross McCormack and Andy Keogh, the latter who’s scored an equal league-high four goals with Le Fondre after four rounds.
Honda and Ninkovic lead the assist count with three apiece and Honda has two goals to boot.
They aren’t the only playmakers set to shine.
Melbourne City’s 2015-16 golden boot Bruno Fornaroli snapped his seven-month A-League scoring drought last weekend and appears to have plenty more in his pocket.
And Western Sydney’s new German Alex Baumjohann, hailed by Spanish teammate Oriol Riera (three goals) as a potential Johnny Warren Medallist, has a league-high 39 crosses and created 13 chances.
With one more at 14 is Vargas, who’s offered snapshots of individual brilliance on return from injury.
The A-League’s top 10 new foreigners
RAUL BAENA
A ge: 29
Nationality: Spanish
Club: Melbourne Victory
The former Espanyol midfielder has been likened to Isaias, and if he has half the impact of his Adelaide countryman he’ll be a tidy acquisition for Victory. The Spain under-21 international’s aggressiveness and tidiness on the ball adds depth to a strong midfield.
ALEX BAUMJOHANN
Age: 31
Nationality: German
Club: Western Sydney Wanderers
Already showing signs he could be the best thing since Shinji Ono. And he comes with pedigree, having attended the same high school as Mesut Ozil and Manuel Neuer and been headhunted by Bayern Munich. Though it didn’t work out, the No.10 has played at Schalke, Hertha Berlin and most recently in Brazil, and is a technical talent just waiting to be properly unlocked.
MIRKO BOLAND
Age: 31
Nationality: German
Club: Adelaide United
Spent almost the past decade with one club in Eintracht Braunschweig before moving to Australia. The midfielder may not be stylistically glamorous but Reds fans will appreciate his stamina, work ethic and technical ability. Suffered an early injury but returned last weekend.
RITCHIE DE LAET
Age: 29
Nationality: Belgian
Club: Melbourne City
City jagged a gem on loan from Aston Villa. The former Manchester United and Leicester City defender provides steel, experience, professionalism and versatility to Warren Joyce’s defence. Can play stopper but has so far been menacing on the overlap at right-back.
KEISUKE HONDA
Age: 32
Nationality: Japanese
Club: Melbourne Victory
The unquestionable headline of all the recruits and a genuinely world-class signing. The colourful maestro boasts 98 international caps and three World Cups, and carried the expertise from stints at AC Milan and CSKA Moscow. A dead-ball specialist with wonderful vision.
KEN ILSO
Age: 31
Nationality: Danish
Club: Adelaide United
The brother of Vikings actor Marco Ilso and former teammate of Robbie Kruse was touted as one of Denmark’s best young talents. He never forged an international career but has developed his versatility to the extent he can essentially play anywhere along the front line and deeper in midfield.
ADAM LE FONDRE
Age: 31
Nationality: English
Club: Sydney FC
Well on the way to the golden boot with four goals and often looks more likely to score than not. His peak may have come in a sole English Premier League season with Reading six years ago but after a lonely few years in the Championship he’s got the scorer’s instinct to achieve big things.
ALEX LOPEZ
Age: 30
Nationality: Spanish
Club: Brisbane Roar
A genuine highlight to the Roar’s stuttering start, the former Spain youth international spent seven years at La Liga side Celta Vigo. Comes with excellent forward distribution and scored a belter to help last weekend’s fightback against the Wanderers and former teammate Oriol Riera.
STEVEN TAYLOR
Age: 32
Nationality: English
Club: Wellington Phoenix
The old-school central defender is well known to Australian audiences following more than 200 appearances with Premier League club Newcastle. He means business too and is exactly what the struggling Phoenix needs. Don’t expect him to dazzle with skill — robust is his bag.
OLA TOIVONEN
Age: 32
Nationality: Swedish
Club: Melbourne Victory
Scored a World Cup goal against Germany only five months ago, and the stocky striker brings a wealth of European experience including experience in English Premier League and Dutch and French top flights. Embellished his first 11 minutes against Central Coast with an assist.
Get every match of the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League LIVE. Get 1 month free Sport HD plus Entertainment with no lock-in contract and no iQ4 box fee. T&C apply. SIGN UP NOW!
Originally published as A-League imports bringing new quality and spreading the word about the Australian game
Victory reacts to shareholder’s collapse
Melbourne Victory isn’t concerned by the collapse of one of the A-League club’s shareholders.
Report fears A-League W could collapse within just two years
A scathing report into professional women’s football PFA fears the A-Leagues’ Women’s will crumble within two years if the league doesn’t turn full-time professional by the 2026 Asian Cup.