Perth Glory FC have announced that they have mutually parted ways with super-sub striker Jamie Maclaren, to allow the 21-year-old to “pursue alternate football opportunities.”
The former Perth utility scored 11 goals from 20 starts and produced time and time again as a substitute, which eventually forced Kenny Lowe to reward him a spot in the starting eleven towards the conclusion of the 2014-15 A-League season.
There are rumours linking Maclaren Melbourne Victory and the Newcastle Jets, but the player in question was tight lipped about his future on Monday.
“As far as my future is concerned, I don’t have any immediate plans, but I would like to wish the club (Perth Glory) the best of luck in the forthcoming campaign,” Maclaren said.
Which A-League club requires the services of Maclaren the most?
Adelaide United
The Reds were known for a couple things last season. The first was their excellent synergy when in possession, however all of that brilliant build-up was let down by wastefulness in front of goal. By Round 14, Adelaide had 193 shots on goal and had only converted 22 of those efforts into goals.
Bruce Djite started 22 matches in 2014-15 and netted just six goals, in comparison Maclaren with 11 from 20 starts.
Another reason why Josep Gombau should have a look at the 21-year-old is because of his partnership with Andy Keogh. That combination with the Irishman was seamless, and that fluency is exactly what Adelaide are all about. There is no doubt Maclaren would combine well with the beefy structure of Djite, but he could also provide a different option for the creative types of Sergio Cirio and Marcelo Carrusca.
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne is probably the most likely destination within Australia for Maclaren. Besart Berisha dominates the frontline, but Kosta Barbarouses was inconsistent throughout the title winning run and that could be what has sparked Kevin Muscat’s interest.
On paper, that is the only suitable position for Maclaren unless the departure of Mark Milligan to Middle Eastern club Baniyas FC will see Guilherme Finkler pushed back deeper into the midfield, although that is a stretch.
Newcastle Jets
Scoring goals was easily the biggest problem on field for the Jets last season, managing a league low of just of 23 goals. Edson Montano was the lead in that role and scored just six.
Perhaps, the best facet of a potential Maclaren move to Newcastle would be his ability to play off a powerhouse forward, which was evident in his constant link-up with Keogh. With recent rumours linking the Jets’ to former Fulham front-man Bobby Zamora and ex-Socceroo Scott McDonald there could be a prosperous partnership on the horizon.
Western Sydney Wanderers
The Wanderers love an impact player. Shinji Ono and Youssouf Hersi’s heroics almost led them to an A-League crown, while Tomi Juric has worn the cape more recently with a scrappy goal against Al Hilal that sealed an Asian Champions League crown and made Australian football history. With those names no longer plastered in red and black it is time for a new character.
As it stands the Wanderers only have Brendon Santalab and Mark Bridge who could play that position, although the former missed the majority of last season through injury and does not have a devastating goal record, whereas Tony Popovic utilised Bridge mostly out-wide.
One of the best attributes in Maclaren’s arsenal is his versatility, and that would serve well across the Wanderers disjointed frontline. The recently departed Nikita Rukavytsya was the only regular member in that onslaught and perhaps one of the reasons Western Sydney recorded the third lowest goal tally.
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