Alessandro
Del Piero should hang up is boots for good if he can’t stay at Sydney.
He has had
an amazing career and despite playing in a struggling Sydney FC side, he has
still provided A-League supporters with moments of magic but “the Harbour City”
should be “Pintericchio’s” final stop as a player.
According to
The Sydney Morning Herald, the Sky
Blues won’t be extending Del Piero’s contract for another season and that the
US and Japan are likely targets for the 39-year-old.
He was
earning about AU$4 million a season and there was talk of him becoming
player-coach with Sydney FC. That would have been ideal for him because he
could build the team around him and do it in a manner that would really suit
him. He would also have greater presence and control over his teammates.
If Del Piero
actually leaves Sydney, what will he try to achieve? Playing at 40 will be a
demanding task and the MLS and J-League are stronger and more established
leagues than the A-League. The only plus for him to join one of those leagues
is if he wants to earn more money than what he does with the Sky Blues.
He is already
struggling with fitness issues. When he does play, he will stay on until the
final whistle but he hardly runs. That aspect of that game is gone and therefore
he has to rely on his technique and football smarts. Can he really be expected
to cruise on the ball or walk into spaces in the J-League or MLS?
The A-League
is still a developing league and although Sydney as a team has failed to live
up to expectations in the last two seasons, Del Piero has been great for the
Sky Blues and the A-League in general.
He should
focus on creating his brand more in Australia and Sydney should look at it from
that perspective too. If a Serie A, UEFA Champions League and World Cup winner
like Del Piero can play in the A-League, so can other stars from the past.
Hopefully
Sydney can make the finals and the board can change their minds for Del Piero’s
and their own sake. If he can’t stay, he shouldn’t go on playing.
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