It’s a long shot. But Sydney FC should be applauded for having a crack at Thomas Müller

You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take. Whoever actually came up with those famous words, be it Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Wayne Gretzky’s old man, Michael Scott from The Office ... they were onto something.

Which brings us to Sydney FC’s ambitious pursuit of Thomas Müller. Ambitious might be an understatement.

Thomas Müller and Harry Kane after one of Bayern Munich’s matches at the Club World Cup.Credit: AP

First revealed by this masthead, the Sky Blues have been in talks with the Bayern Munich legend’s management about coming to the A-League next season - and if they somehow manage to pull it off, it’d be one of the greatest coups in domestic soccer history.

Even though they’ve been told they’re down to the final two - as German outlets have since reported, as well - it’s more unlikely than likely. Those in the know, plus a variety of overseas reports, say that Müller is probably bound for Major League Soccer, and the money he could earn there will trump whatever Sydney’s offer is many times over.

Not to mention the post-career opportunities that the 35-year-old will be exposed to in a country that is about to co-host the World Cup, if he wants to go into the media once he hangs up his boots.

But there’s still a chance. And however remote it is, the Sky Blues were right to explore the possibilities. As one of the A-League’s biggest clubs, it’s incumbent upon them to do so.

Juan Mata and Douglas Costa.Credit: Getty Images

Times have changed since they landed Alessandro Del Piero more than a decade ago. Back then, it felt like the A-League was almost on par with MLS, in terms of being a late-career destination for global superstars; not anymore.

Not even close, actually. Los Angeles FC, who have reportedly shown the strongest interest in Müller, are also attempting to sign Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur. Such is their financial power, they could probably sign both. And then there’s the financial monster that is Saudi Arabia to contend with. It has never been more difficult for Australian clubs to compete for marquee imports.

Domestically, the Australian football economy continues to shrink. Club distributions are down from over $3 million per season to an all-time low of $530,000, and so most clubs don’t even bother trying to sign big names.

It’s beyond them, and there is little appetite from club owners to dig their hands even further into their pockets. And when they do, they have to settle for the likes of Douglas Costa, who had already had his run through MLS by the time he washed up at the Sky Blues last season, but has proved to be a worthy signing, or Juan Mata, who was many years past his peak when Western Sydney Wanderers had the chance to grab him - as evidenced by his on-field output.

Emile Heskey (Newcastle Jets), Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC), Thomas Broich (Brisbane Roar) and Marcos Flores (Central Coast Mariners).Credit: Marco Del Grande

Mata might yet return next season, but if he does, he’ll be a luxury add-on for the Wanderers, rather than a key starting player.

A-League clubs have largely pivoted towards bringing through academy players - and so they should. They’ve finally learned how to turn young, homegrown talent into sizeable transfer fees, and flipping kids for cash is the only way they can be sustainable in the long term. It’s good for the game, too.

It’s a shift that is already benefiting the Socceroos and, in turn, will reinforce the A-League’s legitimacy as a breeding ground and relevance for the many fans in Australia who follow European football but not the local product. The more that A-League alumni players can reach the top levels, the more it says to the unconverted that our competition is worth keeping a close eye on.

But that can’t be all that the A-League is, or will be. For one thing, those youngsters need to have hardened pros next to them in the dressing room to learn from. If the A-League was too reliant on experienced players in the past, it now runs the risk of going too far the other way. A careful balance has to be struck.

Thomas Muller lifts the World Cup in 2014.Credit: Getty Images

Star power has always been the thing that moves the needle in this country, but it’s never been more true than today. As mass culture continues to splinter into a million micro-niches, the need to have something - or someone - with cut-through power is critical. Müller is that sort of someone.

And for every player who opts for the megabucks, there might be one per cent of them who are happy to forego those earnings for the glorious Australian lifestyle, of which the appeal to foreigners we sometimes underestimate because we’re so lucky to experience it 24/7. Del Piero, don’t forget, turned down more money elsewhere - and even a contract offer from Liverpool - because he was so attracted by the wonders of Sydney.

To ask the question of Müller is to send a message to the rest of the football world - and to sceptical local fans - that the A-League still has ambition. There’s no risk in trying. In fact, the risk is not trying, and never knowing if he might have been the next Del Piero.

At worst, you get a polite rejection. At best, you spark the sort of rare moment that can reignite interest in the domestic game, especially at a time when eyeballs are hard to win.

Is Müller part of that one per cent? We’ll soon find out. Even if he’s not, he’s 100 per cent worth the punt for Sydney. Good on ’em for having a crack.