Rudan did get the best goal scoring season for Krishna in his professional career so could definitely seem them linking up again. Just hope Krishna is on the decline if he signs with them
What about Tomi Juric to the Phoenix? Hes still "young" and has some real pedigree. Not sure how he went last season?
Big no thanks from me, he's been pretty rubbish for Adelaide and Macarthur and wouldn't be a starter anyway so would just be taking game time away from Waineo.
In some random speculation, I see 30 yr old Portuguese attacking midfielder Tiago Rodrigues is a free agent after being granted his release from Russian Premier League club Ufa. Looks to have a lot of European pedigree having played 153 games for CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria and 53 for Vitória Guimarães (Tyler Boyd's old club) and recently 16 games in the Saudi Premier League. Looks like he can play AM and CM, could he be a good/affordable Uli replacement?
Adem Ljajic is also due to become a free agent soon after being frozen out by Besiktas (another similarity to one Tyler Boyd). He's a very, very good player and would probably be the most talented player in Nix history. Probably far too expensive for us and reportedly has interest from Italy but it's fun to speculate nonetheless.
It's believed one of the clubs is from Europe's top five leagues (English Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga). The other one sits outside that tier, but is a large club with plenty of history, according to one source
It's believed one of the clubs is from Europe's top five leagues (English Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga). The other one sits outside that tier, but is a large club with plenty of history, according to one source
It's good for us that it's a couple of decent clubs at an excellent level. Let's have a bidding war!
My money is on an Italian or German club. I'd say a club in the Netherlands might also be up there. Wherever it is I think it'll be very well deserved.
Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about but do people rate Oli highly enough to be playing in a top 5 league as soon as next season? He's shown himself to be a very good shot stopper largely because of the ridiculous amount of shots we were giving up last season but doesn't seem that strong with his feet.
Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about but do people rate Oli highly enough to be playing in a top 5 league as soon as next season? He's shown himself to be a very good shot stopper largely because of the ridiculous amount of shots we were giving up last season but doesn't seem that strong with his feet.
He’s very, very good but I was imagining him getting a move to somewhere like the MLS, Belgium or the Netherlands. Wherever he goes, I just hope he starts week in week out.
Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about but do people rate Oli highly enough to be playing in a top 5 league as soon as next season? He's shown himself to be a very good shot stopper largely because of the ridiculous amount of shots we were giving up last season but doesn't seem that strong with his feet.
At the end of the day he's paid to keep them out. Put a half decent defence in front of him and I think he'd do very well.
There's others on here who are more well versed in goalkeeping than I am, but if you're keeping a good percentage of shots out, making minimal errors over the course of a season and have good judgement/awareness as well as the reflexes to pull off spectacular saves when your on a hiding to nothing in between the sticks then you're worth your weight in gold as a keeper in this day and age.
Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about but do people rate Oli highly enough to be playing in a top 5 league as soon as next season? He's shown himself to be a very good shot stopper largely because of the ridiculous amount of shots we were giving up last season but doesn't seem that strong with his feet.
Yes I rate him extremely highly, and genuinely believe he is Premier League quality.
Oli Sail getting closer to European move. 2 club scouts in Barcelona to watch game vs Peru, with one team from Europe's top five leagues & other a 'big club'. Phoenix to receive significant transfer fee if move happens. @NZ_Football@nzheraldsporthttps://t.co/hCtE0XlY9k
Oli Sail getting closer to European move. 2 club scouts in Barcelona to watch game vs Peru, with one team from Europe's top five leagues & other a 'big club'. Phoenix to receive significant transfer fee if move happens. @NZ_Football@nzheraldsporthttps://t.co/hCtE0XlY9k
Oli Sail getting closer to European move. 2 club scouts in Barcelona to watch game vs Peru, with one team from Europe's top five leagues & other a 'big club'. Phoenix to receive significant transfer fee if move happens. @NZ_Football@nzheraldsporthttps://t.co/hCtE0XlY9k
"All Whites goalkeeper Oli Sail is getting closer to a move to Europe, with at least two clubs likely to bid for his services.
Sail told the Herald back in April that he felt ready for the northern hemisphere, towards the end of an outstanding A-League campaign with the Wellington Phoenix.
"I feel like I would do well making the step up and I have every intention of pursuing a career in Europe," he said at the time. "Whether I am ready for that is not for me to decide but I have every intention of testing myself against the best."
That dream could be about to become reality.
The Weekend Herald understands that scouts from two clubs attended the All Whites' recent blockbuster match against Peru in Barcelona.
Although Sail made an unfortunate error to gift the South Americans their goal in the 1-0 defeat, his performance was otherwise solid and did nothing to deter his would-be suitors, who have been tracking him for some time.
If the transfer happens, it's likely to put Sail into another stratosphere.
It's believed one of the clubs is from Europe's top five leagues (English Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga). The other one sits outside that tier, but is a large club with plenty of history, according to one source.
Sail is contracted to the Phoenix until the end of next season. If he leaves now, or in the January window, the Phoenix could pocket a significant transfer fee, as they did with the departures of Sarpreet Singh and Liberato Cacace.
Otherwise the 26-year-old could leave at the end of the season on a free transfer, though it is unlikely the club would block any move, given his loyalty over the years.
The prospective move would complete a brilliant 18 months for the keeper.
Sail unseated Stefan Marinovic at the Phoenix last February and was the unquestioned first choice by the start of last season.
He made his All Whites debut in March at the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament, after years of waiting, then got the nod for Peru encounter, before featuring between the sticks in the intercontinental playoff against Costa Rica on Wednesday.
Sail has seemingly edged ahead of Marinovic in the national framework, while he has also gone past Michael Woud, who featured in the recent games against Bahrain and Jordan.
Sail's prospective move to Europe could come at just the right time. The longevity of keepers mean that he has plenty of years ahead of him, while his tough road to professional football (he made just eight A-League appearances in his first six Phoenix seasons) has developed a maturity and resilience that is essential for the challenges to come.
If Sail does leave the capital, the Phoenix will need to replace him. Alex Paulsen proved his worth last season with some strong performances but probably isn't ready to be a full-time number one.
I’m so, so happy for Oli if this move eventuates. He’s been a dead set legend for the club and his resilience, waiting all that time to get his chance, is incredibly admirable. I feel plenty confident in Alex Paulsen and hopefully we’ll sign someone quality to challenge for the starting spot. Paul Izzo is off contract and would be a shout for best keeper in the league. Tom Heward-Belle or Aidan Munford would be quality signings closer to Paulsen’s level too.
It's a shame Marinovic just signed to another club in Israel. Woud is on a 3 year deal in Japan, I wonder if they'd consider loaning him.
Did make that suggestion recently, but in reality a long shot. J League & ALM seasons running at different times of the year among other issues. Looks like Woud maybe up to no 2 keeper status now at Kyoto Sanga, so he just needs to keep plugging away.
The keys shouldn't just be handed to Paulsen if Sail leaves. Think Sail himself has alluded to that, and no one knows better than Oli, the need to be patient. Signing an older keeper to both mentor and push Paulsen makes sense. I'm sure Uffie will have a plan. Has a new keeping coach been appointed with Gothard leaving?
EXPIRES END OF 2021/22: Matthew BOZINOVSKI [Loan] Louis FENTON Gary HOOPER [V] James MCGARRY Kurtis MOGG [Scholarship] George OTT [Scholarship] Reno PISCOPO Gael SANDOVAL [V] [Loan] Jaushua SOTIRIO
EXPIRES END OF 2022/23: David BALL [V] Callan ELLIOTT Joshua LAWS Clayton LEWIS Nicolas PENNINGTON Alex RUFER Oliver SAIL
EXPIRES END OF 2023/24: Ben OLD Alex PAULSEN Ben WAINE
EXPIRES END OF 2024/25: Tim PAYNE Finn SURMAN Sam SUTTON Oskar VAN HATTUM Scott WOOTTON [V]
All the expiring players can go (sans Scholarship boys). My dream squad for next year might look something like this (although I recognise some of these are fairly unrealistic): 510E7612-127E-40D0-8C77-7FB1500A1CFF.jpeg164.41 KB
Schrijvers off to Melbourne Knights? Has he been looked at?
I'm sure they will be watching to see how he goes. 8 games left (after the one they are currently playing) + Finals left (what the Knight's look at long odds of making). So might be around to trial in pre-season ahead of the proposed October start to the season.
News item on the MLS webby today says Carlos Vela hasn't signed a new deal & is off contract at the end of June. Uffie likes a Mexican, maybe he needs to ask WelNix to find some cash for this one.
Did some squad speculation like I tend to spend the whole off season doing.3DF7729B-8400-4EC4-833A-6468ABE35EE3.jpeg447.42 KB- I don’t see it happening but I’d love to see Izzo between the sticks, he’s off contract from Xanthi. If we can’t get him then maybe Tom Heward-Belle or Aidan Munford?
- Local back up CB could be Schrijvers, NPL season should be finished in time for a trial.
- Local LB back up is hard to call. Corey Brown and Ivan Vujica are both off contract but neither are that flash. Michael Zullo’s solid but still injured, don’t know anything about Dylan Murnane but he’s leaving the Jets. Deklan Wynne the only kiwi off contract whilst Zac Zoricich is at the Mariners Youth and Dan Morgan is playing NPL. No idea who we’ll pick up for this spot tbh but I reckon Dan Morgan might be the best shout.
- I’d like to see us pick up Kelvin Kalua to replace Fenton as well, can play all over the backline and might genuinely make a push to start.
- In addition to the midfielders I’ve got on the team sheet I’d like to see us pick up a kiwi like Dane Schnell and maybe a young Aussie for depth.
- Import Left AM, I’d really like to see us pick up Riku Danzaki on loan. He was immense for Brisbane but hasn’t kicked on back in Japan. Probably wouldn’t be very expensive and at 22 would be a young improvement on Piscopo.
- Import Right AM. The dream would be Adem Ljajic but he’s probably way too expensive. Another other option I found is Tiago Rodrigues. 30 year old Portuguese AM/CM with lots of European experience, played heaps for CSKA Sofia. Recently released from Ufa in Russia because of, well, you know.
- Local AM. Ramy Najjarine is off contract and could be a really quality player. He’s probably looking for a starting spot though. Could try bring Ollie Whyte back from Finland but I think someone said he trialled last season? Young Oliver Colloty has been balling for Melville recently with 9 goals in 13 games in the Northern League. Transfermarkt lists him as a CM but could be worth a look for either of those spots?
- Local back-up striker. Quite a few options to replace Sotirio here. There’s the linked Kosta but he might be a bit pricey for a back up. Joey Champness is an option too, as is Trent Buhagiar. Jordan Murray, Al Hassan Toure and Max Mata are all off contract, as well as one Andre de Jong. Would quite like to see Andre given a go, but there’s a few good options there.
- Import Striker is the big one, we need someone who can stay fit and consistently bury chances. Found a few decent options, would’ve loved Charlie Austin but looks like he’s off to Brisbane. Benik Afobe, Harry Cornick, Lewis Grabban and (maybe?) Tom Bradshaw are all off contract from the Championship. There’s some other Champo boys off contract but they either don’t inspire much confidence or don’t fit the no dickheads policy. There’s a few League One boys off contract like Saido Berahino too but no one super exciting. There’s also Danny Welbeck, Andre Gray and Cenk Tosun leaving the Prem, but not sure how doable their wages are.
In terms of free agent strikers, there’s Diego Costa (lol) and 29yr old Chilean Nicolas Castillo, who looks very decent, but has had a rough time of it with injuries and thrombosis.
There’s also loads of other off contract lads like Bas Dost, Fredrik Gulbrandsen, Deyverson, Mattia Destro, Milan Djiric etc. Who knows who we’ll get but hopefully Uffie and co can work their magic.
Overall, if we can get some high quality imports to plug those gaps and some solid local back ups, we could win the whole damn league this season.
Piscopo. Still not signed with anyone. He's clearly waiting for the July window to open in Europe. I still think that he's got a fair chance to go back to the Serie A (despite injuries). His agent must be telling him to wait and see what comes up in Europe.
News item on the MLS webby today says Carlos Vela hasn't signed a new deal & is off contract at the end of June. Uffie likes a Mexican, maybe he needs to ask WelNix to find some cash for this one.
His most recent salary was $4,000,000 USD. Would be nice, but would bankrupt the club so not going to happen.
We all love Winnie but I don't believe bringing him home would make much sense for anyone. He is probably quite happy in the northern hemisphere and we wouldn't want to risk a significant (even on reduced wages) salary on a player whose career had been plagued by injury for the last 4 years. Let's give him a big hand if he can makes it to the Auckland game but let's be smart about this. I'd rather we spent the money on a Championship striker
Piscopo. Still not signed with anyone. He's clearly waiting for the July window to open in Europe. I still think that he's got a fair chance to go back to the Serie A (despite injuries). His agent must be telling him to wait and see what comes up in Europe.
the nix announced that he'd signed with another a league club, so he's somewhere. Maybe they have a clause that he can leave though so don't want to announce him, or are just waiting to announce closer to the season.
News item on the MLS webby today says Carlos Vela hasn't signed a new deal & is off contract at the end of June. Uffie likes a Mexican, maybe he needs to ask WelNix to find some cash for this one.
His most recent salary was $4,000,000 USD. Would be nice, but would bankrupt the club so not going to happen.
Did some squad speculation like I tend to spend the whole off season doing.3DF7729B-8400-4EC4-833A-6468ABE35EE3.jpeg447.42 KB- I don’t see it happening but I’d love to see Izzo between the sticks, he’s off contract from Xanthi. If we can’t get him then maybe Tom Heward-Belle or Aidan Munford?
- Local back up CB could be Schrijvers, NPL season should be finished in time for a trial.
- Local LB back up is hard to call. Corey Brown and Ivan Vujica are both off contract but neither are that flash. Michael Zullo’s solid but still injured, don’t know anything about Dylan Murnane but he’s leaving the Jets. Deklan Wynne the only kiwi off contract whilst Zac Zoricich is at the Mariners Youth and Dan Morgan is playing NPL. No idea who we’ll pick up for this spot tbh but I reckon Dan Morgan might be the best shout.
- I’d like to see us pick up Kelvin Kalua to replace Fenton as well, can play all over the backline and might genuinely make a push to start.
- In addition to the midfielders I’ve got on the team sheet I’d like to see us pick up a kiwi like Dane Schnell and maybe a young Aussie for depth.
- Import Left AM, I’d really like to see us pick up Riku Danzaki on loan. He was immense for Brisbane but hasn’t kicked on back in Japan. Probably wouldn’t be very expensive and at 22 would be a young improvement on Piscopo.
- Import Right AM. The dream would be Adem Ljajic but he’s probably way too expensive. Another other option I found is Tiago Rodrigues. 30 year old Portuguese AM/CM with lots of European experience, played heaps for CSKA Sofia. Recently released from Ufa in Russia because of, well, you know.
- Local AM. Ramy Najjarine is off contract and could be a really quality player. He’s probably looking for a starting spot though. Could try bring Ollie Whyte back from Finland but I think someone said he trialled last season? Young Oliver Colloty has been balling for Melville recently with 9 goals in 13 games in the Northern League. Transfermarkt lists him as a CM but could be worth a look for either of those spots?
- Local back-up striker. Quite a few options to replace Sotirio here. There’s the linked Kosta but he might be a bit pricey for a back up. Joey Champness is an option too, as is Trent Buhagiar. Jordan Murray, Al Hassan Toure and Max Mata are all off contract, as well as one Andre de Jong. Would quite like to see Andre given a go, but there’s a few good options there.
- Import Striker is the big one, we need someone who can stay fit and consistently bury chances. Found a few decent options, would’ve loved Charlie Austin but looks like he’s off to Brisbane. Benik Afobe, Harry Cornick, Lewis Grabban and (maybe?) Tom Bradshaw are all off contract from the Championship. There’s some other Champo boys off contract but they either don’t inspire much confidence or don’t fit the no dickheads policy. There’s a few League One boys off contract like Saido Berahino too but no one super exciting. There’s also Danny Welbeck, Andre Gray and Cenk Tosun leaving the Prem, but not sure how doable their wages are.
In terms of free agent strikers, there’s Diego Costa (lol) and 29yr old Chilean Nicolas Castillo, who looks very decent, but has had a rough time of it with injuries and thrombosis.
There’s also loads of other off contract lads like Bas Dost, Fredrik Gulbrandsen, Deyverson, Mattia Destro, Milan Djiric etc. Who knows who we’ll get but hopefully Uffie and co can work their magic.
Overall, if we can get some high quality imports to plug those gaps and some solid local back ups, we could win the whole damn league this season.
Pretty sure I saw Schrijvers play left and right back for Team Wellington at times. Some one else may be able to confirm this. Definitely has the speed.Ollie Whyte was always handy, but I thought there was something about a trial a way back, having more experience by playing in Finland may be beneficial.
Piscopo. Still not signed with anyone. He's clearly waiting for the July window to open in Europe. I still think that he's got a fair chance to go back to the Serie A (despite injuries). His agent must be telling him to wait and see what comes up in Europe.
the nix announced that he'd signed with another a league club, so he's somewhere. Maybe they have a clause that he can leave though so don't want to announce him, or are just waiting to announce closer to the season.
Whenever I've known of a player to actually sign with a new club, there's always been a photo of the signing on twitter. I don't believe that's happened yet. Piscopo will be a free agent on 1st July. In my opinion, he's 24 (good age), he knows Italian football well, he's borderline a full Australia international. The Italian clubs, scouts, coaches etc know him. Maybe there won't be interest from Serie A, there are issues with his play. But if I was him or his agent, I definitely wouldn't sign anything before knowing what's possible.
One thing is certain, there will be approaches from Italian clubs after July 1st if he hasn't signed with anyone in Australia.
Piscopo. Still not signed with anyone. He's clearly waiting for the July window to open in Europe. I still think that he's got a fair chance to go back to the Serie A (despite injuries). His agent must be telling him to wait and see what comes up in Europe.
the nix announced that he'd signed with another a league club, so he's somewhere. Maybe they have a clause that he can leave though so don't want to announce him, or are just waiting to announce closer to the season.
Whenever I've known of a player to actually sign with a new club, there's always been a photo of the signing on twitter. I don't believe that's happened yet. Piscopo will be a free agent on 1st July. In my opinion, he's 24 (good age), he knows Italian football well, he's borderline a full Australia international. The Italian clubs, scouts, coaches etc know him. Maybe there won't be interest from Serie A, there are issues with his play. But if I was him or his agent, I definitely wouldn't sign anything before knowing what's possible.
One thing is certain, there will be approaches from Italian clubs after July 1st if he hasn't signed with anyone in Australia.
teams don't announce signings straight away, they often sign players and wait to announce them. There's a number of reasons for a club not to want to announce a player, just because a player is signed doesn't mean they have to put a photo in twitter. Remember Sotirio and McGarry are also rumoured to have signed elsewhere and also haven't been announced.
Why would the nix say he has signed to another a league club if he was a free agent?
We all love Winnie but I don't believe bringing him home would make much sense for anyone. He is probably quite happy in the northern hemisphere and we wouldn't want to risk a significant (even on reduced wages) salary on a player whose career had been plagued by injury for the last 4 years. Let's give him a big hand if he can makes it to the Auckland game but let's be smart about this. I'd rather we spent the money on a Championship striker
We did it on Hooper twice!
Did we though? Hoops in his first stint was amazing once he got going and I doubt Winnie would settle for similar wages. Also yes Hoops has had his fair of injuries but Reed is on another level. It's been 4 years since he's has any sort of continuity. In the last year he's basically played only for the National team, and got injured a couple of times in the process.
We all love Winnie but I don't believe bringing him home would make much sense for anyone. He is probably quite happy in the northern hemisphere and we wouldn't want to risk a significant (even on reduced wages) salary on a player whose career had been plagued by injury for the last 4 years. Let's give him a big hand if he can makes it to the Auckland game but let's be smart about this. I'd rather we spent the money on a Championship striker
We did it on Hooper twice!
Did we though? Hoops in his first stint was amazing once he got going and I doubt Winnie would settle for similar wages. Also yes Hoops has had his fair of injuries but Reed is on another level. It's been 4 years since he's has any sort of continuity. In the last year he's basically played only for the National team, and got injured a couple of times in the process.
Injury prone scarcely begins to describe Winston. When he's fit he's a terrific player but he's a big risk for any club signing him. Which could explain why no club has signed him yet.
Do you really want to sign players that can’t make their club team on a regular basis? We need to aim higher than that to win titles.MetalLegNZ
Musa doesn't seem to be getting the minutes this season... would offer cover in CB and DM. Would not demand stupid wages.
Time to come home.
Is there a single kiwi DM/CM we could sign as a squad player behind Ugarkovic, Lewis, Rufer and Pennington in the pecking order better than Musa? Schnell and Howieson maybe but they’re different players to Musa. We’ve already signed the better players (Ugarkovic, Lewis, Wootton) in CM/DM/CB that we need to challenge for titles.
Do you really want to sign players that can’t make their club team on a regular basis? We need to aim higher than that to win titles.MetalLegNZ
Musa doesn't seem to be getting the minutes this season... would offer cover in CB and DM. Would not demand stupid wages.
Time to come home.
Is there a single kiwi DM/CM we could sign as a squad player behind Ugarkovic, Lewis, Rufer and Pennington in the pecking order better than Musa? Schnell and Howieson maybe but they’re different players to Musa. We’ve already signed the better players (Ugarkovic, Lewis, Wootton) in CM/DM/CB that we need to challenge for titles.
Musa's 30 now with an American wife/partner. He's probably pretty settled Stateside. If he does spend this season at Phoenix Rising on the outer, and moves on, there is 26 USL teams he could sign for. Rising is already his 3rd USL club.
Is also another 21 MLS Next Pro teams (MLS reserve sides) though they maybe only for MLS prospects. Why would he haul his family all the way over to little ole NZ to be a squaddie, unless he was really missing his whanau.
Do you really want to sign players that can’t make their club team on a regular basis? We need to aim higher than that to win titles.MetalLegNZ
Musa doesn't seem to be getting the minutes this season... would offer cover in CB and DM. Would not demand stupid wages.
Time to come home.
Is there a single kiwi DM/CM we could sign as a squad player behind Ugarkovic, Lewis, Rufer and Pennington in the pecking order better than Musa? Schnell and Howieson maybe but they’re different players to Musa. We’ve already signed the better players (Ugarkovic, Lewis, Wootton) in CM/DM/CB that we need to challenge for titles.
Musa's 30 now with an American wife/partner. He's probably pretty settled Stateside. If he does spend this season at Phoenix Rising on the outer, and moves on, there is 26 USL teams he could sign for. Rising is already his 3rd USL club.
Is also another 21 MLS Next Pro teams (MLS reserve sides) though they maybe only for MLS prospects. Why would he haul his family all the way over to little ole NZ to be a squaddie, unless he was really missing his whanau.
This interview is a year old. But Musa definitely entertaining the idea of moving back to play for the Nix. Talks about potentially returning to the A league, But timing hasn't worked out so far.
He does tick a lot of boxes. As I think the squad needs another left footed player that can cover/play left CB or left FB and cover in midfield. In case of injuries to Laws or Sutton. Edit. He'd probably give Laws a run for a starting spot at L CB. And if any of Lewis or Ugakovic is injured in midfield.
Yes remember that pod with Goran from a year ago. Seemed like he would be 'open to the idea', but more because other people were throwing the suggestion around, rather than some underlying drive to return to NZ on his part.
