Marquee signings are sometimes considered as “sugar hits” however APL chief government Danny Townsend says the A-Leagues need to carry in additional high-profile stars, and have a listing of 35 target gamers.
Bar Daniel Sturridge’s powerful time at Perth Glory and Alessandro Diamanti’s wonderful stint for Western United, real massive names have been few and much between just lately.
Townsend famous in his time at Sydney FC, the likes of Milos Ninkovic and Bobo had delivered on the sphere however weren’t “household names”.
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“I look at marquee players as ‘bums on seats’ players and with all due respect to Milos and Bobo, they’re not those guys. Marquees are genuine world class stars and our game needs it,” Townsend mentioned at Western United’s pre-finals perform on Thursday.
“It gets criticised historically as being a bit of a sugar hit – our game needs a sugar hit.
“So let’s get a number of sugar into it over the following low season and you may begin to see a bunch of gamers are available to the league subsequent season that can put bums on seats.”
Townsend elaborated further to reporters, indicating the leagues would help fund clubs in attaining marquee players – both in the men’s and women’s leagues – that would drive more interest.
“What we’re doing strategically is taking a look at 35 gamers on our listing that we would like to discuss to and we’re speaking to them for the time being around the globe to appeal to them to our league,” he mentioned.
He confused no coaches would have a participant “compelled upon them”, rather the league would help find high-profile players that fit their recruiting needs.
Townsend believed between structural reform and the current broadcast deal, the leagues were in a more stable place to capitalise on marquees.
“We’re ready now as a league that we have got the foundations in place to reap the benefits of a sugar hit,” he mentioned.
“Prior to now, perhaps we have had sugar hits, and we did not have every part else so as to carry that ahead.”
Townsend stressed it was important to target big names, citing former Sydney FC star Alessandro Del Piero.
“You have obtained to assume massive. For those who’re going to do that you have obtained to attain as excessive as you’ll be able to,” he mentioned.
“However clearly there are monetary constraints that you simply want to work inside.
“But in reality, sometimes it’s easier to get the bigger name than it is the smaller name, because they’ve got to a stage in their career where money is not their main priority and they’re looking for a way of making a difference.”
