WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Jordanamous

Some absolute Moneyball stuff going on with recruitment - I can’t help but think Chiefy is thinking he’s playing a real life version of Football Manager and sees himself as some sort of oracle to turn around a team of unfulfilled talent. 

I’m fully behind him if he can do it, but it’s a terrifying proposition and gamble if it doesn't pay off. 

I think most other squads are streets ahead on quality, leadership, creativity and proven talent. 

Just gotta hope Chiefy can get a real vibe going and pull everyone together like that Covid season. 

I would say that about six A-League sides have recruited new players of a much higher level than the Nix to add to already strong rosters and are on a different level.
But the other five seem to me about the same level as the Phoenix or worse in terms of their foreign players and overall squads.
(1) The squads that are better than the Phoenix:
- Sydney FC:
New signings:They've lost their two excellent Brazilian imports but have recruited new players of a very high level:
Marcel Tisserand: DR Congo international central defender, experienced in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, as well as the African Cup of Nations, signing from the Saudi Pro League, where he was part of the Al-Ettifaq FC squad coached by Steven Gerrard and his teammates included Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Moussa Dembélé. Ex AS Monaco &  Toulouse and in the Bundesliga FC Ingolstadt and VfL Wolfsburg, before a spell at Turkish giants Fenerbahçe saw him regularly feature in European competitions against the continent’s top clubs.

Piero Quispe (loan): Peru international attacking midfielder signed on loan from Mexican giants Pumas UNAM.
Victor Campuzano: former LaLiga striker joins from Spanish club Sporting Gijon, over 200 professional appearances in Spain. Debuted for Espanyol in 2018, making his LaLiga debut; five goals in eight UEFA Europa League appearances. 

- Macarthur FC:
Have recruited very well:
Ins: Ji Dong-won (Suwon FC) major Korean international striker, EPL experience;
Experienced Croatian: Šime Gržan,
Top French defender from Victory: Damien Da Silva,
Top-level Mexican striker:  Rafael Duran Martinez
Some top Aussies:Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC), Callum Talbot (Melbourne City), Harry Politidis (Melbourne City);
- Melbourne City:
Weakened after losing so many players but some good new recruits:
Elbasan Rashani: Kosovo international winger fresh from helping Elche gain promotion to la Liga;
Japanese star Takeshi Kanamori (Avispa Fukuoka), while re-signing Frenchman Samuel Souprayen and already boasting Austrian midfielder Andreas Kuen and Argentinian defender German Ferreyra.
- Melbourne Victory:
Weakened by some major losses such as Machach, and Aussies Teague, Arzani and Casey Bos to Europe
But some good signings:
Sebastian Esposito: Aussie u-20 captain on loan from Serie A outfit Lecce.

Jason Davidson: Socceroos fullback re-joins Victory following years in Europe in the EPL and the top tiers in Holland, Belgium and Portugal.
Denis Genreau: former Melbourne City and Macarthur Bulls from Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruna.
Juan Mata - signed from the Wanderers. 

- Auckland FC: have recruited well to stengthen an already successful squad:
Lachlan Brook, Oli Sail, Sam Cosgrove, Jake Girdwood-Reich (loan)
- Adelaide Utd:
Their new recruits seem a cut above the Phoenix:
  Joshua Smits, Anselmo de Moraes, Juan Muñiz
Plus Craig Goodwin is back.

TEAMS WORSE THAN OR ON A PAR WITH THE NIX:
- the Mariners:
Have lost so many of their best players and look destined to struggle at he bottom end of the table.
Ins: Andrew Redmayne, James Donachie, Will Kennedy, Alexi Houridis, James Houridis
Outs: Brian Kaltak, Alou Kuol, Noah Smith, Will Wilson, Sasha Kuzevski, Jack Warshawsky, Mikael Doka (loan)
- Newcastle Jets:
A mediocre squad last season and not much quality added to replace the many who have left.
Only one decent recruit stands out:
Joe Shaughnessy from Dundee in the SPL, 300 appearances in Scottish football’s top flight for the likes of St. Johnstone, Aberdeen and St. Mirren.

- Perth Glory:
Strong defensive signings but lack quality in other areas:
Brian Kaltak, Sam Sutton (2027-28), Scott Wootton (2026-27)
- WesternSydney Wanderers:
Barbarouses and Thurgate would seem to be their only major signings.
But that won't compensate for the many they have lost.
- Brisbane Roar:
The new recruits don't say to me that they will be significantly better than last season's poor side.
Anyone decent seems to have left.

I don’t think anyone has ever said they have an obligation. Address the point raised rather than construct a straw man please.

Nelfoos

There are thousands of kids in the Nix patch that they don't want and the same is true of every professional club.

More pathways is good no doubt, but the Nix are under no obligation to sign every local player who shows some promise (especially when their scouting will be far more detailed than mine!).

Marto

reg22

Nelfoos

There are thousands of kids in the Nix patch that they don't want and the same is true of every professional club.

More pathways is good no doubt, but the Nix are under no obligation to sign every local player who shows some promise (especially when their scouting will be far more detailed than mine!).

there's a dude i used to follow on twitter, before i left for ethical reasons ;-). he and his other followers used to complain about every player that liverpool fc could have signed, who had eventully gone on to make something of themselves elsewhere.

he would constantly repost his prior selections from years ago; players who liverpool hadn't signed. he was a very frustrated dude.

very naive. there's only so much budget and so much room. they know what they're doing for the most part. and it's gone ok hasn't it? 

I work with guys in their 20s who were at Arsenal and Watford. Both played for the U21s and were loaned out to clubs at levels that we would view as decent yet they are now aircraft mechanics under me. 

If these two were in NZ they would have been spoken about a lot of this forum. The UK and Europe has so many potentials floating about, its not hard for clubs to let people slip through the net.

Hope those two are still playing football 

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Marto

reg22

Nelfoos

There are thousands of kids in the Nix patch that they don't want and the same is true of every professional club.

More pathways is good no doubt, but the Nix are under no obligation to sign every local player who shows some promise (especially when their scouting will be far more detailed than mine!).

there's a dude i used to follow on twitter, before i left for ethical reasons ;-). he and his other followers used to complain about every player that liverpool fc could have signed, who had eventully gone on to make something of themselves elsewhere.

he would constantly repost his prior selections from years ago; players who liverpool hadn't signed. he was a very frustrated dude.

very naive. there's only so much budget and so much room. they know what they're doing for the most part. and it's gone ok hasn't it? 

I work with guys in their 20s who were at Arsenal and Watford. Both played for the U21s and were loaned out to clubs at levels that we would view as decent yet they are now aircraft mechanics under me. 

If these two were in NZ they would have been spoken about a lot of this forum. The UK and Europe has so many potentials floating about, its not hard for clubs to let people slip through the net.

Hope those two are still playing football 

pop them in a plane and send them over!

Marto

reg22

Nelfoos

There are thousands of kids in the Nix patch that they don't want and the same is true of every professional club.

More pathways is good no doubt, but the Nix are under no obligation to sign every local player who shows some promise (especially when their scouting will be far more detailed than mine!).

there's a dude i used to follow on twitter, before i left for ethical reasons ;-). he and his other followers used to complain about every player that liverpool fc could have signed, who had eventully gone on to make something of themselves elsewhere.

he would constantly repost his prior selections from years ago; players who liverpool hadn't signed. he was a very frustrated dude.

very naive. there's only so much budget and so much room. they know what they're doing for the most part. and it's gone ok hasn't it? 

I work with guys in their 20s who were at Arsenal and Watford. Both played for the U21s and were loaned out to clubs at levels that we would view as decent yet they are now aircraft mechanics under me. 

If these two were in NZ they would have been spoken about a lot of this forum. The UK and Europe has so many potentials floating about, its not hard for clubs to let people slip through the net.

That is true for the national teams, too.  We would likely rate Oskar Zawada as one of our better imports, and conversely his time at the Nix features probably his best scoring stats.  He is back at the Eredivisie and doing, reportedly, well (now at Groningen).  Yet (although he is just 29) he is not even mentioned as an option for the very mediocre Polish national team.  

Poland 36th in the FIFA rankings, drew 1-1 with Holland in Amsterdam in the last window. If they are very mediocre, I'd hate to read how the All Whites are described. And yeah Zawada doesn't seem to be near being picked for them. Baze would grab him in a heart beat.

FYI - Ukraine who beat us 2-1 in June, are ranked 28th.

coochiee

Poland 36th in the FIFA rankings, drew 1-1 with Holland in Amsterdam in the last window. If they are very mediocre, I'd hate to read how the All Whites are described. And yeah Zawada doesn't seem to be near being picked for them. Baze would grab him in a heart beat.

FYI - Ukraine who beat us 2-1 in June, are ranked 28th.

I would not consider that Polish result against the Netherlands as a benchmark.  It is probably more of a one-off lift following the change from a very unpopular coach to a fairly likeable one.  They may indeed play better from now on, but I do not expect them to suddenly become world-beaters.
I would be very keen to watch the upcoming game to gain a better idea where we (AWs) are now as a team. For all you know it can be a close game despite the current rankings. 

I know we’re done with recruitment until January, but should we be looking at Liam Jordan?

Would fill a gap in the striker position if Supyk doesn’t step up and/or if Eze struggles. Dual national so would count as a kiwi.

I see his contract was terminated in July due to injuries, but maybe he would be healthy by January?

Worth a mention, but if he's to leave Europe you imagine it will be for a PSL club.

Either Waine or Mata are far more of a chance. From a Nix perspective disappointing Luke Supyk seems to be behind Keegan Kelly re the NZ U20s.

https://www.facebook.com/100089878196925/posts/swedish-top-tier-side-offloads-four-cap-bafana-bafana-attacker-liam-jordan-is-a-/702586289413971/

Where does Kelly play club wise?

MetalLegNZ

Where does Kelly play club wise?

At a US College

Keep hearing about Luka Coveny not getting a U20 WC callup (despite being captain in qualifying) due to lack of fitness (WU administrative issues). I wonder have we had a look at him?

LKH looking solid as a CB. Also winning headers.

MetalLegNZ

LKH looking solid as a CB. Also winning headers.

Probably better than as a LB.

LT01

Keep hearing about Luka Coveny not getting a U20 WC callup (despite being captain in qualifying) due to lack of fitness (WU administrative issues). I wonder have we had a look at him?

He also missed a lot of the back end of the Victorian NPL season due to an unspecified knee injury. Hadn't played since start of June, but the VPL1 season only finished late August.

MetalLegNZ

LKH looking solid as a CB. Also winning headers.

He's winning them by virtue of height at the U20s, but they sometimes seem to be hitting him more than him attacking them. Still work to do there, I'm sure Piper can show him a thing or two.

Nelfoos

MetalLegNZ

LKH looking solid as a CB. Also winning headers.

He's winning them by virtue of height at the U20s, but they sometimes seem to be hitting him more than him attacking them. Still work to do there, I'm sure Piper can show him a thing or two.

Him and Bulkeley could have done better I think re Egypt's goal. 

As a captain LKH also doesn't quite have that follow me inspiration & hard edged toughness of a Surman.

Agreed, he seems to lack that hard edge... but have you ever seen him look flustered?

Reminds me of Mr Flatline, Satner for the black caps. And perhaps that's what he brings, a calmness?!

MetalLegNZ

Agreed, he seems to lack that hard edge... but have you ever seen him look flustered?

Reminds me of Mr Flatline, Satner for the black caps. And perhaps that's what he brings, a calmness?!

Yes some truth in that. But football is a contact sport especially at pro senior mens level. You need an amount of physicality and hardness. LKH is still young and that should improve with time.

Not sure if I have seen many tall players with a hard edge.  The Siggy body type, the Piper body type (or the Cam Devlin body type) are/were average height but made up for it in core strength and also speed (Irankunda is another example but then he is an outlier in many ways).

Looking forward to seeing how LKH and Walker go this season.

Hopefully the younger wingers are kept on the bench by quality from the older players, but do well in cameos.

In saying that though, the team did well to hold out for a very long period of time without conceding. There was plenty of talk coming over the broadcast feed (don’t know how much was from him), so I think it might be a little harsh to criticise his leadership style at this point.

I haven’t seen him interviewed after either game, has anyone? And if so, impressions?

coochiee

Nelfoos

MetalLegNZ

LKH looking solid as a CB. Also winning headers.

He's winning them by virtue of height at the U20s, but they sometimes seem to be hitting him more than him attacking them. Still work to do there, I'm sure Piper can show him a thing or two.

Him and Bulkeley could have done better I think re Egypt's goal. 

As a captain LKH also doesn't quite have that follow me inspiration & hard edged toughness of a Surman.

LKH, he's "our" Peter Crouch! (Well Size wise anyway), I must ask him at practice if he can do "The Robot". Now that would be funny if he scores a goal at the right end of the field.

Watching LKH's playing style, he looks like a small skillful midfielder trapped in a big man's body. He has a nice touch, and can keep an intricate midfield move going but those long limbs make skills that much harder to execute. He doesn't have the natural aggression or self belief that big guys often have.
Good to hear he's performing well at CB in the under 20s but IMHO he's not best suited there. DM or LWB better.

nixin

Watching LKH's playing style, he looks like a small skillful midfielder trapped in a big man's body. He has a nice touch, and can keep an intricate midfield move going but those long limbs make skills that much harder to execute. He doesn't have the natural aggression or self belief that big guys often have.
Good to hear he's performing well at CB in the under 20s but IMHO he's not best suited there. DM or LWB better.

There is a good point here.  Watching LKH I do not see a big guy, I see a tall guy.

 In his final year of college, Kelly could be signing for the future. After a decent World Cup campaign. If he can bang a few goals at college level, he might just earn himself a train-and-trial.

Hutcho137

 In his final year of college, Kelly could be signing for the future. After a decent World Cup campaign. If he can bang a few goals at college level, he might just earn himself a train-and-trial.

While it shouldn't stop the Phoenix from pursuing him in January (at least IMO), he is only in his second year of college.

andrewvoerman

Hutcho137

 In his final year of college, Kelly could be signing for the future. After a decent World Cup campaign. If he can bang a few goals at college level, he might just earn himself a train-and-trial.

Well it shouldn't stop the Phoenix from pursuing him in January (at least IMO), he is only in his second year of college.

Ahhhh yes, he is only a sophomore I read it as Senior.

10 games - no goals and 1 assist... so hardly setting the world on fire. However, I did like the look of him at the u20's.

LKH is still just 20 - give him time to bulk up and find his angry self. Another 10 - 15kg of muscle on that frame and he will be hard for anyone to move.

Perhaps if any interest/offer does again come out of the UK for Supyk, the Nix just take it, and turn their focus to trying to develop Wrexham match hero Flowerdew?

Luke S with the magical UK passport, and was some rumoured interest from Stoke City(?) last season. Supyk's current Nic contract expires June next year.

Which Luke has the cooler hand, aka greater upside?

Wicked movement from Luke Flowerdew leading directly to a couple of goals for the Wellington Phoenix Reserves #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/eIaJuMAzL1

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 13, 2025

I haven't seen enough of Flowerdew to comment, but don't put much weight on his goal vs Wrexham or the scrappy effort below. Nice through ball by Walker was the highlight there.
Supyk on the other hand has had chances and has yet to impress. Reserves seems about right.

coochiee

Perhaps if any interest/offer does again come out of the UK for Supyk, the Nix just take it, and turn their focus to trying to develop Wrexham match hero Flowerdew?

Luke S with the magical UK passport, and was some rumoured interest from Stoke City(?) last season. Supyk's current Nic contract expires June next year.

Which Luke has the cooler hand, aka greater upside?

Wicked movement from Luke Flowerdew leading directly to a couple of goals for the Wellington Phoenix Reserves #NZNationalLeague pic.twitter.com/eIaJuMAzL1

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 13, 2025

Whatever happened to Matty Ellis?

KiwiMancunian

Whatever happened to Matty Ellis?

Comes off the bench for AKL City

Idk but I think Ishige needs to go

KiwiMancunian

Whatever happened to Matty Ellis?

We signed Dan Edwards instead.

Congratulations Anaru 👏

First pro contract for Anaru Cassidy 👏

Anaru has already made his A-League debut and says “It’s a dream come true to sign a pro contract with the Wellington Phoenix.”

Cassidy is the 11th academy graduate in the men’s now 25-strong first team squad. pic.twitter.com/Uz02zony1O

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) November 12, 2025

YoungHeartHM

Congratulations Anaru 👏

First pro contract for Anaru Cassidy 👏

Anaru has already made his A-League debut and says “It’s a dream come true to sign a pro contract with the Wellington Phoenix.”

Cassidy is the 11th academy graduate in the men’s now 25-strong first team squad. pic.twitter.com/Uz02zony1O

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) November 12, 2025

Whats the benefits of signing him to a pro contract? Not critiquing it but is it a security thing like another team can poach him on a scholarship or get a smaller fee?

Clearly the club is seeing something in him that merits that, plus potentially some circumstantial stuff that we won't know about. 

Can only imagine the stink on here if the club didnt sign him and he was picked up by AFC. 

Great signing - I expect him to push Conchie out if the team by the middle of the year.

Honestly I think this guy will be a gun and have the best career of any of the current first team squad.