Perth Glory coach David Mitchell rates flamboyant striker Eugene Dadi one of the best imports to grace the Hyundai A-League – but still won’t commit to a new contract for the former Ivory Coast international.
Dadi’s future remains unclear beyond the season, with talks between the player and club postponed until Perth Glory are finished for the year.
The 35-year-old has been doing his best to ensure that end comes later rather than sooner, scoring three goals in his last two outings to take his season tally to eight, one behind the league’s leading goal scorer Shane Smeltz.
But things are strangely quiet on the negotiating front.
“I’m just waiting to see how things pan out for the season,” Mitchell explained after putting the Glory squad through its paces at Sydney University on Tuesday.
“Once we can’t make (the finals) or once we make it I’ll direct things from there.”
“Eugene’s been great for us. A lot of people questioned his age but I just looked at his technical ability, which is very good, and his finishing, which is very good.”
“He’s level headed, he lights up the league, he’s been one of the best imports to come to the league.”
“But I’m not jumping into anything just yet.”
Dadi was initially reluctant to discuss where contracts talks were at, asking reporters: “What did he (Mitchell) say?”
Told no decision would be forthcoming until the end of Glory’s campaign, Dadi continued: “From my point of view I’m happy with my situation.”
“At the moment I’m committed to the end of the contract.”
“If they want me to stay we will sit and have a chat about everything.”
Either way, Dadi appears set to stay in Australia.
He and his family love their new home and the clever striker, who has had stints in Scotland and England, is enamoured with the Hyundai A-League.
“The A-League is great. I’m really enjoying it,” he said.
“Since I joined I’ve been asking (myself) why I didn’t come earlier.”
“If Perth doesn’t want me then (I will move clubs).At the end of the season I hope to extend my stay in the A-League.”
“There are one or two other possibilities but I’m just concentrating on the play-offs and trying to do my best for the team.”
“We will talk about things later.”
Glory’s late-season run to the finals hit a speed bump when they were held 1-1 at Wellington last weekend.
Mitchell’s men are six points out of the four with six rounds remaining and desperately need a result against Sydney FC at the SFS on Sunday night.
“We’re going to know after this game whether our season is over or not,” Dadi declared.
“We’ve got a massive game Sunday and we’ve got to do everything to try and get three points and keep our finals hopes alive.”
