City Views | Mooy – Move or Marquee?
What’s happening to Melbourne City’s player of the 2014/15 season Aaron Mooy? With the Australian marquee spot open with the retirement of Josh Kennedy speculation is growing he’s received an offer to extend his current contract and be duly rewarded for his stand out season. With the financial reach of the City Football Group and the future of the club at its brightest few would argue that Mooy isn’t deserving of the marquee position.
On the flip side does Aaron Mooy want to extend his stay in the A-League beyond a third season? With his omission from the Socceroos squad for the successful Asian Cup campaign last season still burning, Mooy must now make a decisive decision regarding his career both domestically and internationally. An attractive offer back to Europe can’t be far away for the creative midfielder but with Mooy turning 25 in September opportunities will start to dry up sooner rather than later.
A new contract at Melbourne City could set Mooy up for the remainder of his professional career, but if he chooses to stay at home he will always wonder if he was could enough to make it playing football in Europe. For Australian footballers, Europe is still considered the pinnacle of any career, but financial opportunities are starting to open up around the rich Middle Eastern and Chinese leagues. Sadly, whilst the A-League is rapidly improving the standard is still behind many leagues around the globe and with the league wanting to freeze the salary cap the improvements could potentially freeze with it.
Seven of the Twenty three man Asian Cup squad played under the pro A-League manager Ange Postecoglou, but four have already moved on. Matthew Spiranovic (China), Nathan Burns (Japan), Mark Milligan (UAE), and Tomi Juric (Unattached) have all changed clubs during the off season and have severely dented the local talent pool of our domestic competition. Few would begrudge Mooy if he also decided to make the move.
If Mooy was to turn down the marquee offer and make the move overseas it’s very important to choose the right club, not only for his future development but his current playing future. Last season Mooy played consistent minutes at Melbourne City and featured in 25 games (scoring 7 goals). One only has to remember the move of Jason Davidson to Premier League club West Bromwich Albion. Admittedly Davidson signed with the club before preferred left back Belgian Sebastien Pocognoli arrived, but with only two premier league appearances it emphasises how important choosing the right club if for players. Davidson has now signed with Championship club Huddersfield Town and appears to be far more suited at that level.
With 74 A-League appearances and career best form Mooy now has the most important decision to make in his career. After his lukewarm stint with St Mirren (Scotland), Mooy was brave enough to come home and seek an A-League contract with new club Western Sydney Wanderers. There was no tail between the legs for Mooy, just grit and determination to make good of his football talent. A return to Australia is still looked down upon from many of our finest youngest talent, almost as though a return home is signalling the white flag of any overseas career. Many should look towards Aaron Mooy and now realise a move back to the A-League can be used as a positive and the opportunities to play abroad isn’t closed as it was previously. Clubs in Australia need to do more to make this happen, and to ensure fans in Australia can witness some of our brightest stars.
If Mooy decides to stay at City he will be a very welcome addition amongst the squad and fans, if he doesn’t no fan could deny Mooy his opportunity for his talent to shine brightest combined with a return to national team duties.
Image: theworldgame.sbs.com.au
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