Sapreet Singh’s move to Bayern Munich earlier in the year was the biggest transfer New Zealand football has ever seen and with it came a new strategy from Wellington Phoenix: a production line of Singh’s.
So who is next?
Liberato Cacace
Cut and dry, he is the obvious option. During the 2018/19 season Cacace, along with Singh, burst onto the scene and the Kiwi made himself known as one of, if not the best full-back in the league.
Playing on the left Cacace is capable of exploding down the flank to put in some pinpoint crosses and has some great assists under his belt.
After a contract extension last year, the Nix have him locked in for another two seasons but it’s hard to imagine him remaining in NZ past the end of this season.
Callum McCowatt
Being relatively unknown in Australia may work to the advantage of 20-year-old McCowatt – across the ditch there is a quiet confidence in his abilities to do big things for the Phoenix this season.
McCowatt is an attacker and can both lead the line and play on the wing. Last year, McCowatt scored an insane 21 goals in 16 games for Eastern Suburbs in NZ’s Handa Premiership.
McCowatt has looked good in his first few starts for the Nix, and there’s genuine belief he can thrive at the professional level. He is one of the most exciting prospects for NZ, do not be surprised to see McCowatt follow Singh’s trajectory to the top.
Ben Waine
Waine’s eight strikes, a team-high for the Nix’s reserve side last season, saw him deservedly called up to the senior squad for the last few games of 2018/19.
He’s made a few positive appearances from the bench and is close to getting a deserved first senior goal. He made his first start in a difficult away trip to Perth and despite the Phoenix losing 5-0 in that game, Waine was the teams’ focal point and the man who lead the line.
At just 18 and with David Ball, Gary Hooper and McCowatt all ahead of him in the striker order, Waine’s rise might take a little more time but that rise is coming.
Reno Piscopo
Spending his younger years at Italian giants Inter Milan as well as fellow Serie A side Torino, before going down to the Serie C in Renate, Piscopo is the first player the Phoenix have ever paid a transfer fee for.
That’s a lot on its own but the flying winger is also one of Australia’s more exciting youth prospects, representing them at U20 and U23 level.
That said Piscopo has yet to start for Ufuk Talay’s side but with a three-year deal, things are surely going to go right.
Cameron Devlin
The Nix’s new number eight was a smart acquisition for the Phoenix – Sydney wanted to keep him but their failure to offer their youngster a new contract allowed Talay to swoop in and take their midfielder from them.
Devlin does have his work cut out for him with Nix vice-captain Alex Rufer and import Matti Steinmann ahead of him in the pecking order. Needless to say he has the talent to do it, so keep an eye on him.
Featured image credit: Cameron McIntosh
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