With his short-term future now secured, Bernie Ibini is now hoping Sydney FC will sign a big name marquee to help propel his career even further forward.
With his short-term future now secured, Bernie Ibini is now hoping Sydney FC will sign a big name marquee to help propel his career even further forward.
The Sky Blues haven’t finished their recruitment drive, with as many as nine spots still available on the roster, including the two marquee roles.
“I’ve seen a couple of big names like (Didier) Drogba and that. If someone of his stature could come to the club I’d be happy to play with him,” Ibini told www.footballaustralia.com.au on Tuesday.
Although the club later denied Drogba was on their shopping list there’s little doubt the club has the clout and cash to find a big overseas name.
“I guess it’s up to Arnie (Arnold) if he would want to bring him in. If he was to come back to the A-League then yeah definitely it would be good for the league.”
Ibini became new Sky Blues coach Graham Arnold’s first major signing this week, signing a one-year loan deal with the club from his Chinese side Shanghai Dongya.
A consistent Hyundai A-League performer over the last few seasons, the 21-year-old attacker is part of an impressive group of Aussie talent coming through the domestic competition.
With Arnold as the new boss at Sydney, Andrew Clark the club’s new strength and conditioning coach and Pedj Bojic and Ibini amongst the playing group, there is a real Mariners flavour flowing through the halls of the club.
And it might not end there with reports Michael McGlinchey is unsettled at Arnold’s former J-League club Vegalta Sendai and may be keen on a return to Australia.
“…I’d definitely like to see (McGlinchey) back in the A-league. He did very well for us at the Mariners,” added Ibini.
Ibini has represented Australia at both under-20 and under-23 level and believes he’s in the perfect place to enhance his game and progress towards his dream of a Socceroos cap.
“If we are to have a very good season next season I don’t see why not,” Ibini said when asked if the Sky Blues could launch his international aspirations.
“We’re the biggest club in the A-League and with Arnie being here and the plans going forward are something I’m really excited to be a part of.
“I really want to improve in playing 90 minutes of high quality football, especially in second half’s [of games].
“That’s something I would have to do in pre-season to make sure my base fitness is very high. I also want to be able to score some more goals, carrying on from (the end of) last season and hopefully I can emulate that for the whole season.”
Ibini said it was a difficult decision to leave Central Coast, where he won an A-League championship in 2013, but said the chance to be closer to his family in Western Sydney couldn’t be turned down.
“Being close to my family was very important to me and a massive factor,” he said.
“I’m happy (Shanghai) have allowed me not to go back to China and go on loan at Sydney.
“It was very tough to leave the Mariners. I always had good times there and I’m very close with all the boys but the plans Sydney have for me going forward is something I wanted to be a part of.”
Ibini said he is looking forward to some time off before the Sky Blues return to pre-season training on June 16.
