“It was one of the most dominant performances I’ve seen in a long time,” KEEPUP‘s Campbell Johnson said in the aftermath of Maria Jose Rojas’ performance in Round 5 of the Liberty A-League.
While Rojas did not find the back of the net, the Chilean star was a constant threat for Melbourne City – hitting the crossbar – in a 3-1 loss to Western United in Saturday’s top-of-the-table blockbuster at AAMI Park.
Rojas – who won the Premiership with Sydney FC last season – has been a class above since joining City as an injury replacement for Hannah Wilkinson, scoring three goals in four appearances.
But the former Sydney and Canberra United forward is only contracted to City until the end of December. So what does the future hold for the in-form 35-year-old?
Network Ten’s Grace Gill & Liberty A-League appearance record holder Teresa Polias joined the Official A-Leagues Podcast to talk about Rojas and what could be next.
Listen below, or via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you consume your podcasts
Johnson asked: “How do they [City] try to make it work? Can they drop a visa player to fit her in on a more permanent contract?”
Gill responded: “The answer needs to be they need to figure out a way to make it work. If Maria’s contract ends with City and she becomes a free agent, she will be picked up by another team given the form she is in.
“City, Dario Vidosic and the management have to be doing all they can. I don’t know what the right permeation around that is. Whether it’s dropping a visa player or a workaround on a guest contract.
Whatever the case may be, City need to be working pretty hard to retain her.
Where could Rojas land should she leave City at the end of the month?
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“There’s obviously plenty of sides within the competition that would be looking at her services,” Johnson said. “It’s no secret she has been one of, if not arguably the best player in the competition this season.
She should have had a hat-trick [against Western]. I’ve never seen probably a more confident display, especially in the Liberty A-League.
Western Sydney Wanderers have lost all of of their matches this season to sit winless alongside Wellington Phoenix at the foot of the table.
The Wanderers have only found the back of the net twice through four fixtures.
“Someone will pick her up if City don’t keep her,” Polias said.
“She is an incredible player. She has to make a living and if she can’t stay at City, she will end up somewhere else for sure.
“After five rounds, I’m not sure if they’re on the hunt but they need to be and it’s the Wanderers. They need an out-and-out striker.
Throw Rojas in there and it’s a different story for the Wanderers. That’s my opinion on who needs her. I hope they’re given the resources to go on the hunt for her or someone else.
“I reckon all clubs are rubbing their hands together at the moment if City can’t figure something out.”
Gill added: “There was speculation a couple of weeks ago when Catherine Zimmerman went down at Melbourne Victory and we thought, well there’s a spot opening up there but they have since signed Denmark international Rikke Madsen. That’s since closed up.
“Where Rojas is needed – Wanderers absolutely. They need a striker and a player like Rojas could change the complexion of that team. It’s not that the Wanderers aren’t getting into those positions, they just don’t have a finisher.”
Could Brisbane Roar or Western United also be in the mix should Rojas become available?
FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning striker Jess McDonald joined Western on a guest contract that includes nine matches.
“Brisbane if they have a visa spot could probably use her. Whether it’s through the middle or out wide,” Johnson said.
“Even Western United if Jess McDonald and her guest contract finishes, and they can get another visa in or however it might work. Maybe? What an addition that would be.”
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