Eli Babalj’s decision to enhance his development by moving to Europe, despite only experiencing one productive A-League season, certainly stunted the 23-year-old’s progression as a footballer. However, the player is now determined to get his career back on track with the Reds and revitalise a still very promising future.
When Adelaide United announced the signing of former Melbourne Heart forward Eli Babalj on a season long loan from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar it signalled a statement of intent by the United hierarchy. One of the primary reasons why Josep Gombau’s men failed to finish in the top two last campaign was attributed to the noticeable lack of striking options in the club’s ranks. Incumbent front-man Bruce Djite started the 2014-15 season with genuine goal-scoring potential, but gradually fizzled as the year endured – scoring his last goal way back in February.
However, like many naïve yet equally talented A-League players who embark on a journey abroad there is the likelihood of encountering some set backs. Babalj appropriately falls in this category, as he like so many others often found it difficult to make the seamless transition from Australia to Europe or Asia the first time of asking. Consequently, many return Down Under in search of regaining confidence, self-belief and game time – to try their fate again; or conversely, are content on merely playing professionally in the A-League.
Johnny Warren recipient Nathan Burns is a perfect paradigm of persistence, after struggling to play regularly overseas. Burns returned to Australia and following his scintillating year with the Wellington Phoenix, the 27-year-old earned a coup with FC Tokyo. Babalj will probably hope for the same outcome.
After netting nine times in the league for the now defunct Melbourne Heart during the 2011-12 campaign, Babalj decided the time was right to seek pastures new. A move to Red Star Belgrade ultimately proved fruitless, as the then 20-year-old managed just six league appearances, before re-joining Heart six months later.
The striker’s second coming with the Victorian outfit was a far cry from his prolific best. Nevertheless, he secured a transfer to Eredivisie team AZ Alkmaar for the beginning of the 2013/14 season. A combination of injuries limited the attacker to a handful of matches with the reserves and did not make his senior debut in the Dutch league until a loan move to fellow Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle in early February 2015 was completed.
Ending a rather nightmare spell in the Netherlands, Babalj is a man on a mission to once again showcase his worth. And the choice to relocate to Adelaide should facilitate the Bosnian-born Australian in experiencing success in the City of Churches.
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In his first press conference Babalj expressed his delight in putting pen to paper with the Reds, which will no doubt be music to the ears of United fans.
“I’m really looking forward to spending the season at Adelaide United working with Guillermo Amor the coaching staff and players,” Babalj said.
“I’ve always admired the way Adelaide plays football and excited for the challenge this opportunity presents.”
The ex-Red Star Belgrade man provides newly appointed coach Guillermo Amor another dynamic as well as an obvious selection headache. Babalj’s movement in the final third is exceptional and spectators of Adelaide were already given glimpses from his substitute appearance against Darwin Olympic in the FFA Cup. The natural number nine executed various runs into the opponent’s box, in addition to dragging defenders out of position and thus creating space in behind for his teammates. Not to mention, he also found the back-of-the-net on debut against Olympic, which ought to do a world of good for his self-assurance.
Babalj’s energy on the field can also be lauded and will likely have little trouble linking up with the already imposing Sergio Cirio, Craig Goodwin and Marcelo Carrusca. While Djite offers a more direct and physical approach, the 23-year-old is much more apt on the ball and is also capable of scoring with his head.
If Babalj receives consistent playing time and can return to the blistering goal-scoring form he once demonstrated a couple of years ago, the sky is the limit for the Socceroo international. With the likes of Carrusca, Goodwin, Cirio and Jeggo in close proximity to the once PEC Zwolle forward, fitting into the Coopers Stadium attack should not be a problem for Babalj, as he thrives on service. Over the previous few seasons an out-and-out striker has been missing at the franchise’s disposal and Babalj could just be the antidote in solving Adelaide’s elusive A-League title aspirations.
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