To date, the international marquee spot in the A-League has been grossly misused, with only Dwight Yorke and Robbie Fowler bringing the star power and media coverage the spot was initially designed for.
There have been some great players on the marquee list but for every Fred there has been a Mario Jardel. Here at The Football Sack we’ve made our own list of future candidates for marquee positions. To qualify for that list the criteria is simple.
Also, they must be still playing at some sort of competitive level (oooh just missed out on Figo). Each team has been designated an “A” Marquee and a “B” Marquee.
In creating this list we are aiming high and understand that the majority would probably be out of reach financially. But, for a moment, just close your eyes, suspend your disbelief and dream…
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Gianluca Zambrotta | 33 | Fullback | 98 | 2 | Milan | Fyfe’s transfer means Zambrotta would slot nicely into the center of defense for the Reds |
| Alessandro Del Piero | 36 | Striker | 91 | 29 | Juventus | With over 500 appearances for Juve, Del Piero would be an ideal addition to the reds line up, even if it was for just a season given his age. |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Alessandro Nesta | 34 | Centreback | 78 | 0 | Milan | With Muscat leaving at season’s end and Leijer possibly trying a second European stint Nesta would be a great pick up, and given Melbourne’s huge Italian population the crowds would flock (as well as the women) |
| Mikael Silvestre | 33 | Defender | 40 | 2 | Werder Bremen | The former Man Utd and Arsenal defender Silvestre would be an ideal fit if Nesta was to turn down the offer |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Michael Ballack | 34 | Midfielder | 98 | 42 | Bayer Leverkusen | Possibly the biggest name on the list, Ballack would draw a crowd at every ground in Aus and at 34 not totally out of the question for a year or two. |
| Nuno Gomes | 34 | Striker | 77 | 29 | Benfica | Superb record at Benfica, would fit right in with Hearts philosophy on football and a hit with the ladies too. |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Djibril Cisse | 30 | Striker | 40 | 13 | Panathinaikos | Possibly with another stint in the big leagues possible, Cisse would be an awesome signing at Brisbane |
| Andre Ooijer | 35 | Central Defender | 55 | 3 | Ajax | With Smith and Devere likely to go overseas sooner rather than later Ooijer would be a great replacement. and we all know he looks great in orange |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| David Trezeguet | 33 | Striker | 71 | 34 | Hercules | Not sure he’d fit into Arnies method but would surely get the fans in and score bucket loads of goals |
| Denilson | 33 | Winger | 61 | 9 | AO Kavala | Although well past his best, Denilson is a world cup winner, and a quality crosser of the ball |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Hernan Crespo | 35 | Striker | 64 | 35 | Parma | Crespo is Quality and has been to the biggest clubs in both Italy and England. a goal scoring record of nearly a goal every two games would be great for the yellow fever. |
| Emre | 30 | Midfielder | 71 | 7 | Fenerbahce | Brilliant passer and set piece maker. Emre’s best and worst are poles are part, if anything near his best in the A-League then he would be an awesome signing |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Michael Owen | 31 | Striker | 89 | 40 | Manchester United | Isn’t seeing much game time, just what the Jets need too, another child prodigy from England who is injury prone. If fit and with the right service he would tear the A League apart |
John Dahl Thomasson | 34 | Striker/Midfielder | 112 | 52 | Feyenoord | A great record of goals at whatever club he has been at (aside from Newcastle United) |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Ronaldinho | 30 | Forward | 88 | 32 | Flamengo | The Sky Blues need to get there bling back and Ronaldinho would bring it in one swoop. Once the best player in the world, he would set the SFS alight. |
Papa Bouba Diop | 32 | Central Midfield | 63 | 11 | AEK Athens | Sydney’s problem has been in their Midfield all year, Diop would fit in perfectly. |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Francesco Totti | 34 | Attacking Midfielder | 58 | 9 | Roma | Totti is a household name worldwide and would be a welcome addition to the Fury midfield, the conversations between Franz Straka and Totti would be some awesome listening too |
| Giovanni van Bronckhorst | 35 | Leftback/Midfielder | 106 | 6 | Feyenoord | Why not give NQF two “A” Marquee players? They need it. |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Miroslav Klose | 32 | Striker | 105 | 58 | Bayern Munich | A World Cup record that is up there with the best, imagine Klose and Fowler in full flight in-front of the Shed |
| Christoph Metzelder | 30 | Centreback | 47 | 0 | Schalke 04 | Perth struggle at the back and Metzelder would be ideal |
| Name | Age | Position | Int. Caps | Int. Goals | Current Club | Details |
| Raul | 33 | Striker | 102 | 44 | Schalke 04 | The club with the deepest pockets and the smallest crowd deserves what i think is the best and most expensive player on our list. If Raul cant get bums on seats then they may as well pack up the Gold Coast now. online pharmacy https://www.sterlingchiropractortherapy.com/wp-content/themes/twentytwentythree/parts/html/ivermectin.html no prescription |
| Nwankwo Kanu | 34 | Forward | 84 | 13 | Portsmouth | With Smeltz only signed onto the end of the year, Kanu up front wouldn’t be that far out of the question |
What other international players do you dream of seeing play on Australian shores? Who do you think would light up the A-League and draw spectators in droves?
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