A-League: Wanderers star Mitchell Duke may be forced out

He’s one of the A-League’s hottest strikers, but Wanderers star Mitchell Duke could be forced out of the competition.

Wanderers striker Mitchell Duke has confirmed interest from clubs in Europe.

He’s one of the A-League’s hottest strikers, but Western Sydney Wanderers star Mitchell Duke could be forced out of the competition — with a European move looking likely.

The Wanderers skipper has already netted 11 goals, putting him equal fifth in the race for this year’s Golden Boot, but is yet to secure a contract beyond this season, with the Socceroo confirming interest from clubs in Germany, Denmark, Belgium and Cyprus.

Duke and the Wanderers were beginning to find form before the forced shutdown of the league, with the 29-year-old attributing his goal rush – scoring six in seven games – to the sacking of coach Markus Babbel in January.

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Under Jean-Paul de Marigny, who was last week installed as the club’s head coach after holding the interim tag for the past six months, Duke and the Wanderers have gone from strength to strength – and now loom as a dark horse in the A-League’s run to the finals.

But while Duke has made it clear he would like to stay on next season, his hand may be forced if no approach is made soon.

“(I) haven’t really had much contact, no one has reached out to me about wanting to keep me,” Duke told News Corp.

“I’ve been quite surprised that I haven’t had too much interest in Australia, but that could be due to the virus and the financial side of things.

“I have had offers from Europe come in but I also think Asia is an exciting market. Recently I have had a bit more interest and those conversations are starting to get into more detail.

“I’m the captain and we’re doing well, but I have to weigh up all options and what is best for my family. In two or three weeks I think we could see a decision being made.”

A tactical change by de Marigny has resulted in the big man switching from playing out wide on the left into his favoured position up front.

The move paid dividends not only for Duke but for the whole team, with the Wanderers losing just once in their past seven games.

“JP has been a bit more particular with the finer details and the intensity and standard in training. Making sure we don’t get complacent and pushing us,” he said.

“It just felt like there was something lacking (under Babbel). That’s not to talk lowly of him, I have a lot of respect for Markus, he just couldn’t get that extra 10 per cent and the direction with his philosophy.”

“There were too many players on different wavelengths and it didn’t mesh well unfortunately.”

With the Wanderers’ first game now five days later than originally scheduled, Duke believes the extra time will allow the team to fine tune their chemistry ahead of their finals charge.

“If we can keep putting in consistent performances I think teams, especially Sydney FC, will be worried to come up against us,” he said. “We can cause a lot of problems.”