Outside90’s Aaron Dahmen analyses why Wellington can challenge for A-League supremacy.
Fresh faces
It is what dominates the press during the offseason in Europe with millions of dollars flying in and out of top-flight clubs, but in the A-League, many new signings simply want to get away from it all, are not interested in the money, or, alternatively, are just looking for an adventure.
Look at Kostas Katsouranis, the 2014 Greece World Cup captain, playing one match for semi-pro club Heidelberg United. Who would have thought?
But back to the Phoenix. Some handy recruiting has been implemented to cover the loss of last season’s top scorer and Australian international Nathan Burns. Blake Powell, formerly of Sydney FC, brings a clinical edge to the front order, scoring over 25 goals in 31 games for APIA Leichhardt in the NSW Premier League last season. Meanwhile, Kwabena Appiah, who was actually born in New Zealand, is a pacy winger who made 25 appearances for Asian Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers and brings much needed speed to the outer channels of the Phoenix midfield.
But amidst this talent, it is Jeffrey Sarpong who could prove to be one of the biggest coups of the summer. Since 2013 until recently, he had made over 55 appearances for top-flight dutch side NAC Breda and has played for the Netherlands under-21 team as well as scoring for Real Sociedad in the Spanish La Liga and current Dutch Wellington midfielder Roly Bonevacia could well have had an impact in Sarpong’s decision to head south.
So, a truckload of talent, Powell, Appiah and Sarpong, also Troy Danaskos, a largely unknown defender signed from Sydney Olympic – how to mould these together into an A-League winning side? Ernie Merrick, it is your time.
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