City Views – Robert Koren
Robert Koren is on the verge of joining cashed up Manchester City on a two year deal that has been met with a mixed reception.
Many have criticised the deal using the argument that Koren isn’t ‘Marquee status’. Football fans across Australia assume because Manchester City has become involved in the club this will instantly attract some hefty names to the league. It a sense this is correct, David Villa has been convinced to play a short stint in the league, whilst Damien Duff will also represent City on a permanent basis.
More recently Frank Lampard has turned his back on coming to Melbourne, opting to play for Manchester City on loan before be joins New York City on a permanent basis. We must remember the A-League is competing against some very attractive options for players around the world, and be reminded when players the ilk of Alessandro Del Pierro come here to play it’s an honour, not an expectation.
Robert Koren played over 250 appearances in the Premier League and Championship with West Bromwich Albion and Hull City. Whilst neither club is well know in Australia they are tough proud clubs in the highly competitive English market. Good players don’t survive in these leagues without a certain quality, I for one am looking forward to what Robert Koren can bring to the new look Melbourne City outfit.
Koren has been described as a ‘model pro’ and will be exactly what the City midfield requires in the league. Last season the midfield was held together by a determined Massimo Murdocca and glimpses of brilliance from former player Orlando Engelaar. Many City fans were surprised the club were prepared to farewell the former Dutch international, but this decision will benefit the club after bringing in Koren who will be a better fit for the club. The leg injury to Engelaar was very unfortunate last season, but we also must factor in his inability to run out a full 90 minutes on a regular basis during the harshness of an Australian summer.
Comparisons to the best A-League player Thomas Broich would be very unfair at this point in time to Koren, but these are very similar type players. Koren has the ability to shape the City midfield around him and bring others into the match. Mate Dugandzic, Massimo Murdocca and the remainder of the City midfield will become better players playing alongside Koren, something I can’t say for Engelaar. The Ned Zelic term of #IndividualBrilliance would be more apt for the former player.
Many expected City to use the International marquee position to attract a ‘big name’ and with it attract another few thousand supporters to the struggling outfit. City may not have attracted the big name player, but they have attracted the right type of player to take the club forward. Wins will bring people through the gates of AAMI Park, not just players on their last legs looking to increase their retirement fund.
The signing of Koren is fantastic business for the club, and one I am very excited about. The former Slovenian international will bring attractive football to Melbourne City and professionalism the young squad will learn from.
Let’s hope over the next few days Robert Koren is announced as the International marquee player for Melbourne City, and who knows he could have an A-League winners and Johnny Warren medal at the remainder of the 2014/15 season.
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