Hi all just read this Emerton article in the Sydney Morning Herald thought you may be interested. In Australia there is plenty of talk of hime either going to Liverpool or joining the Aussie connection at Leeds ( I hate those bastards I really do, did you know they plucked Jamie McMaster (fringe first teamer) from Perth and told him listen son if you want to play for Leeds you are going to have to play international football for England / Scot / Ireland / Wales. The man is an Aussie but will play all internationals for England thanks to Leeds. Sorry rant over back to the Emerton story lets hope he signs for us and do you think Bobby has spoken to him?...

By Michael Cockerill

Socceroo midfielder Brett Emerton may be in high demand but he is unlikely to complete his much-anticipated move to the English premiership until after he returns from World Cup duty at the end of next month.

With three of England's biggest clubs - Arsenal, Leeds United and Liverpool - in the race for his signature, Emerton said yesterday it was likely his Dutch club, Feyenoord, were now willing to sell him for an estimated $20 million (NB 20mil Australian rouble = about 7.5mil GBP).

"There has been a bit of interest from English clubs, but Feyenoord have always said they would be unwilling to sell me until after we are out of the Champions League," he said.

"They have hinted that there is now a possibility of selling me, but at the moment we're still trying to finish third in our group to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

"As a player, you're always looking to improve, and although Holland has been good for me and I've learned a lot, there will come a time when it's right to move to England.

"You learn to deal with all the transfer speculation. The rumours can be distracting but you have to concentrate on your performances on the park."

Emerton has been courted by England's leading clubs for more than three years but when he left Australia last year he chose to go to the Netherlands to serve his European apprenticeship. Now, after eye-catching performances in a disappointing Champions League campaign for Feyenoord, coupled with excellent form for Australia in the Confederations Cup, Emerton is in demand.

Liverpool were favourites for his signature until the recent intervention of Arsenal, while Leeds are also willing to add to their stable of Australian players.

"I don't really have any preferences, although obviously I'd like to go to a big club," Emerton said. "There are a lot of things I have to take into consideration, including whether I have a chance to play regularly, and where I would enjoy living."

Feyenoord host Spartak Moscow on Wednesday, and after a league match at the weekend Emerton will leave to join the rest of Australia's World Cup squad in Melbourne. "I can't wait to get started," he said.

Speculation that Socceroo skipper Paul Okon would play in the national league this weekend as a guest of Northern Spirit or the Olympic Sharks has been quashed by his manager. "There's more chance of me lining up in midfield alongside [Manchester United's] Juan Sebastian Veron," Leo Karis said.

FIFA has backed down on its proposal to limit Australia and France to one player from each club for their friendly match in Melbourne on November 11.

The world governing body conceded yesterday that its suggestion was dead after both countries said they would ignore its attempt to influence selections to satisfy European clubs.

Although they are free to select their best players, two Frenchmen are believed to be unavailable because they have played their allocated number of friendlies for the year.

Nige

-- Anonymous, October 30, 2001

Answers

Nige,

One thing! MacMaster was stolen from Sydney, not Perth. However same rant I had 18 months ago.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

So the £15M reported recently was just a simple money-laundering cock-up? $20M USD is far nearer the reported £15M whereas $20Moz is far nearer what we'd all value him at. Hmmmmm, a rumour spread by NUFC's financial wizards to throw folks off the scent? Nah, they're not as clever stupid as that. Are they??

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Tre,

Long time no hear! Have you read the book the away game by Matthew Hall detailing many Aussies playing or had played in Europe? It includes Viduka, Kewell, Bosnich, Okon, Schwarzer, Craig Johnson, Robbie Slater etc... Fantastic read. Reply here or e-mail me if you want to read it, i'll mail it to you so long as I get it back!!

BTW where are u watching the Oz v France game at on Sunday?

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

Leeds? Even if they pension off Batty and Bowyer gets banged up, they've got Johnson, Dacourt and Bakke in mf. Not to mention some young'uns. Do they really need about 9 central midfielders?

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

its a key area and you have to be strong there

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

We could get Dacourt off Leeds if they go for Emerton. Great player, he would be a perfect Rob Lee replacement.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

Chronic from last night has Bobby saying he'd been quoted £15m for Emerton and that makes Acuna the best value for money buy this season cos he does exactly the same job and work.

Not a good indication if were expecting a signing.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

its like your dad persuading you a 3rd hand volvo is better value than a shiny new porsche

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

Well, a shiny new Porsche with a straw hat with corks hanging from it anyway.

Acuna is more like a Vectra. It'll get you from A to B but won't make anyone jealous in your street.

Emerton could be a Porsche, but he could turn out to be a Porsche with a tyre missing that careers off the road because it can't keep up with the other cars.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

Sell a mini and buy another wheel?

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

What I meant was that Emerton has only played in the Dutch league, not really a good scale to test him on. He could come here and never catch up with the pace of the PL, much like Bassedas (although in and out short runs in the side never help). Rob Lee isn't a particularly quick player, but he can keep up with the pace of the game when he's on form. With Emerton, you would never know until you bought him.

Even for £8m it is a lot of money if it goes wrong, basically our whole transfer budget.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

Bassedas hasn't even caught up with the pace of the Central League yet, Paul!
BTW, the pace of the player isn't the main issue - it's the pace of his brain, and how quickly it gets his feet to move.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001