|
|
Five A-League players who European clubs should take a look at this transfer window
Big European clubs have snapped up A-League talent such as Mustafa Amini, Michael Zullo and Tommy Oar in recent times, so who else is on the radar for a continental switch?
Jan 19, 2012 9:30:00 AM
Getty Images
SPECIAL
By Ben Somerford | Asian Football Editor
Central Coast's teenage goalkeeper Mathew Ryan put in a display in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Melbourne Heart which had his coach Graham Arnold pleading with him to ignore any offers from Europe and stick with the A-League club. Indeed, the youngster is hot property right now and with the January transfer window open, European teams are on the lookout for emerging stars.
In fact in the past two years, A-League products such as Mustafa Amini, Tommy Oar, Michael Zullo, Mathew Leckie, Robbie Kruse and Mitchell Langerak have all signed with big European clubs, so the scouts are certainly taking notice.
So Goal.com has put together a list of five current A-League players who European clubs should monitor and perhaps make a move for during the January transfer window;
The Sarajevo-born talent may have only really made his breakthrough at A-League level this season but already he's invoking comparisons with a young Mark Viduka. The teenager comes in at 194 cm tall giving him great aerial strength but he has quick feet as well. The Australian Institute of Sport product may still be raw, but he has the characteristics needed to go a long way in football.
The ex-Melbourne Victory man has been a revelation since his switch across town. Ironically, while Victory have struggled this term, he's thrived at his new home. The Melbourne-born attacking midfielder has pace to burn, an eye for goal, plus skill along with a creative streak which sets him apart from the rest. Dugandzic turned down interest from a Belgian club last year but surely a European move isn't far away after a fine 2011-12 campaign with Heart.
The Nigeria-born talent is another teenager who is making great strides under Graham Arnold at Central Coast Mariners. After the pacy striker won the 2010-11 National Youth Player topscorer award, he has gone on to enjoy a breakout 2011-12 term at senior level having won the A-League Young Player of the Month award for November. He has the ability to change matches in an instant with his devastating mix of pace and power and could be a real X-factor in Europe.
The emerging Brisbane midfielder is a player winning a lot of plaudits in Australia. Nichols' performances for the A-League champions, as well as Australian youth sides have impressed many. His recent call-up to the Socceroos squad is a sure sign of his development and at 22-years-old, a move to Europe must be on the radar. Nichols' guile, creativity and positional sense in midfield make him a big attacking threat and he's beginning to develop as an athlete.
Ryan burst onto the scene out of nowhere during the 2010-11 season. Given a chance at Central Coast after injuries to other keepers, Ryan grabbed his opportunity with both hands, keeping a record 12 clean sheets during the season, before winning the Joe Marston Medal for best player in the Mariners' losing Grand Final. He also won the 2010-11 A-League Young Player of the Year award and hasn't let up there, with more fine displays this term. Mariners boss Graham Arnold this week labelled him Australia's future number one.
Join in the poll and tell us which player you think is most ready to make the move to Europe?
Follow Ben Somerford on
Follow Goal.com Asia onand 
By Ben Somerford | Asian Football Editor
Central Coast's teenage goalkeeper Mathew Ryan put in a display in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Melbourne Heart which had his coach Graham Arnold pleading with him to ignore any offers from Europe and stick with the A-League club. Indeed, the youngster is hot property right now and with the January transfer window open, European teams are on the lookout for emerging stars.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
In fact in the past two years, A-League products such as Mustafa Amini, Tommy Oar, Michael Zullo, Mathew Leckie, Robbie Kruse and Mitchell Langerak have all signed with big European clubs, so the scouts are certainly taking notice.
So Goal.com has put together a list of five current A-League players who European clubs should monitor and perhaps make a move for during the January transfer window;
| ELI BABALJ | Melbourne Heart, Striker, 19 |
 |
|
||||||||||
The Sarajevo-born talent may have only really made his breakthrough at A-League level this season but already he's invoking comparisons with a young Mark Viduka. The teenager comes in at 194 cm tall giving him great aerial strength but he has quick feet as well. The Australian Institute of Sport product may still be raw, but he has the characteristics needed to go a long way in football.
| MATE DUGANDZIC | Melbourne Heart, Attacker, 22 |
 |
|
||||||||||
The ex-Melbourne Victory man has been a revelation since his switch across town. Ironically, while Victory have struggled this term, he's thrived at his new home. The Melbourne-born attacking midfielder has pace to burn, an eye for goal, plus skill along with a creative streak which sets him apart from the rest. Dugandzic turned down interest from a Belgian club last year but surely a European move isn't far away after a fine 2011-12 campaign with Heart.
| BERNIE IBINI-ISEI | Central Coast, Striker, 19 |
 |
|
||||||||||
The Nigeria-born talent is another teenager who is making great strides under Graham Arnold at Central Coast Mariners. After the pacy striker won the 2010-11 National Youth Player topscorer award, he has gone on to enjoy a breakout 2011-12 term at senior level having won the A-League Young Player of the Month award for November. He has the ability to change matches in an instant with his devastating mix of pace and power and could be a real X-factor in Europe.
| MITCH NICHOLS | Brisbane Roar, Midfielder, 22 |
 |
|
||||||||||
The emerging Brisbane midfielder is a player winning a lot of plaudits in Australia. Nichols' performances for the A-League champions, as well as Australian youth sides have impressed many. His recent call-up to the Socceroos squad is a sure sign of his development and at 22-years-old, a move to Europe must be on the radar. Nichols' guile, creativity and positional sense in midfield make him a big attacking threat and he's beginning to develop as an athlete.
| MAT RYAN | Central Coast, Goalkeeper, 19 |
 |
|
||||||||||
Ryan burst onto the scene out of nowhere during the 2010-11 season. Given a chance at Central Coast after injuries to other keepers, Ryan grabbed his opportunity with both hands, keeping a record 12 clean sheets during the season, before winning the Joe Marston Medal for best player in the Mariners' losing Grand Final. He also won the 2010-11 A-League Young Player of the Year award and hasn't let up there, with more fine displays this term. Mariners boss Graham Arnold this week labelled him Australia's future number one.
Join in the poll and tell us which player you think is most ready to make the move to Europe?
Follow Ben Somerford on
Follow Goal.com Asia on
and for the latest in Asian footballing news, features, and analysis
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from Jan 19, 2012 to Jan 21, 2012
Poll runs from Jan 19, 2012 to Jan 21, 2012
Which of these five A-League players is most ready for a European move?
Mat Ryan (Central Coast)
28.09%
Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar)
22.64%
Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart)
19.71%
Eli Babalj (Melbourne Heart)
14.88%
Bernie Ibini-Isei (Central Coast)
14.68%
Inside Goal.Com
-
Discover football's best & worst pledges
Goal.com takes a look back at some of the best and worst promises made by members of the football fraternity over the years
-
All the players available for free in Spain
With the exception of Real Madrid and Barcelona, all of the clubs in the Primera Division will be releasing first-team footballers imminently. Goal.com takes a closer look
-
Spain's Euro 2012 hopes hit hard by Villa blow
The Barcelona striker will be out of the continental competition after failing to fully recover from a broken tibia sustained in December's Club World Cup. He will be sorely missed
-
Cartoon: Drogba waves goodbye to Chelsea
The Ivorian confirmed his intention to leave Stamford Bridge on Tuesday after eight years at the club, meaning his final kick for the Blues sealed Champions League glory
-
Conte claims Serie A Coach of the Season award
The Italian led Juventus to the Scudetto with an unbeaten record and is deemed the best trainer on the peninsula by the readers in our end-of-term vote
