Jamie Maclaren addressed speculation regarding his future with Melbourne City and interest from elsewhere, while discussing his own form in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season.
Heading into Thursday night’s Round 14 showdown against Adelaide United at AAMI Park, the Socceroos forward was once again asked about the speculation and his future as he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
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“I call it how I see it and how it is – there is obviously negotiations with myself, the club and other interested parties,” Maclaren told reporters.
“But my sole focus is I’m still contracted to Melbourne City. I have the captaincy at this club. This is my fifth year coming up. I’ve always shown loyalty and that won’t waver.
“As it stands, nothing is agreed, nothing is turned down and nothing is accepted. As it stands, my contract runs out in June. My sole focus is getting us back up the ladder because our form hasn’t been ideal and I’ve been used to high standards. We’ve been pretty short of that.”
Pressed on how many clubs are interested, Maclaren – who has previously played abroad with Darmstadt in Germany and Hibernian in Scotland – replied: “How long’s a piece of string?
“It’s one of those cases where it can be domestically or internationally. Until it’s something is in writing, it’s down with my agent.
“All I can do is make sure my body feels good going into games and keeping myself fit. Showing the boys I’m not distracted.
“The talk going on at the moment, I’m not the only player coming off contract. Lets make that very clear. We have a lot of boys on loan.
“There will be a lot of changes at City next season, whether I stay or go. That’s not really something I want to delve into too much. I’ve made it pretty open as much as I can by saying that statement was false and I’m sure City can back that up.”
Maclaren also reacted to his own form this season as three-time reigning premiers City struggle for consistency.
On the back of his 24-goal campaign en route to the 2022-23 Grand Final, Maclaren has scored seven goals in 13 games for City – who have lost back-to-back games and sit eighth in the standings.
Asked about his performances this term, the 30-year-old pointed to external expectations and his collection of five Golden Boots, with four won during his time at City.
“I always want to improve daily. I try to improve daily,” he said.
“I sort of get painted with a different brush as opposed to every other player for some reason. Maybe that’s because I have five Golden Boots at home and everybody thinks at the start of the season I’m just going to click my fingers and at the end, I’ll be at the top. It doesn’t work like that. It’s professional sport.
“It doesn’t mean it’s through a lack of trying. I think my stats right now, if you asked hte coach – if you could have a striker who could score one goal every two games that’s what I’m sitting on at the moment.
“My stats have been higher than that in the past. It’s something I can’t explain as a striker. I don’t really believe in form. I believe in quality and I think I have the quality. I’ve scored the most goals in 2023 and I have the record for most goals in the league.
“So I’m not stressed. Other people might want to talk about the form and things not going well. But if there’s chances coming my way, I’ll put them in the back of the net.
“That’s something we’ve been lacking at the moment. Once they come, I’ll hit the barn door so to speak and just roll on as I have been doing.”
