Starting a club from scratch is a huge task but Tony Popovic’s kids might bring the magic.
With six weeks to go until season 2012/13, we’re looking at the best breakthrough talent ready to make their name in the Hyundai A-League.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Starting up a new club is never easy and from the start, club CEO Lyall Gorman and head coach, Tony Popovic have promised their team will bring style to the Hyundai A-League.
They hit the mark with the inaugural kits and have landed some big sponsors, but the big question remains can they get the job done on the park?
In bringing his squad together, Tony Popovic has opted for a blend of experience and youth, and while his more seasoned campaigners can be described as solid footballers it is the youngsters that could deliver some real excitement.
Aaron Mooy: The softly spoken midfielder admits he wants to let his football do the talking, but when he does finally take the pitch in the A-League there is every chance the media might just be clamouring for a piece of him. Talented and creative, he will be the general in the Wanderers midfield.
Tony Popovic says: “He-s a young player that has come back from Scotland, he has had experience of professional football in terms of expectations at the highest level.
“He is a creative player who is good on the ball and we hope he can excite the fans this season.”
Zac Elrich: Tarek Elrich might be a senior player in the squad, but his pacey cousin might just be the one to watch. He recently set a trial alight with his pace and flair and bagged himself four goals in one half of football and has plenty of swagger to go with it. He is a Youth League player that might just get his chance.
Popa says: “He is a young player that is a raw talent, we have brought him in to the youth team.
“He is exciting but he still has a lot of work to do, a lot to learn about the game, but he is someone that we are looking forward to working with and see him get better and better.”
Reece Caira: Trading an EPL dream for a chance to play more football at home might be seen as a risk but in Caira, Popovic has bagged a young defender who can provide some dash, that the likes of Michael Beauchamp and Nikolai Topor-Stanley no longer possess, he should bring plenty of attack from the back to the side.
Popa says: “He is a winner, he has been in England and has that winning attitude, which we really like. He is a tough young man, he is versatile, can play a few different positions on the left and also midfield and we are looking forward to helping him get stronger and hopefully he becomes a big part of this squad.”
