Top 10 potential A-League marquees

The mission was simple: draw up a realistic list of 10 marquee players that could set the A-League alight.

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We were looking for all the attributes an A-League marquee should have: star power, ability and a proven record.

But we had to be realistic, knowing that we couldn't merely throw a list of the best players on Earth together.

Our picks tend to be a season or so on the wrong side of their best years but still retain the ability to contribute to the A-League in the way a marquee should.

So, without any further ado, TWG presents the Top 10 potential A-League marquee players.

10. Sylvain Wiltord, 34

In his prime: Arsenal

By far, Wiltord’s best days came at the twilight of his 20s, when he starred for Arsenal and France at the turn of the millennium. The energetic winger/striker was a member of the formidable undefeated Gunners of 2003/04 and won Euro 2000 with France. He’s also played in two World Cups.

Where is he now: Marseille (12 league appearances this season)

Wiltord joined Marseille from Rennes this January, having spent the past five seasons for various clubs in France’s Ligue 1. At 34, he may not have the pace of his youth but he still brings bucket loads of experience and ability to the table.

For what he’s worth:

While Wiltord doesn’t have the profile of some of the names on this list, he is a quality player who could easily compete at A-League level and raise the standard of play.

9. Nwankwo Kanu, 32

In his prime: Arsenal

Like Wiltord, Kanu was a member of the formidable Arsenal line-up of the early 2000s. The rangy Nigerian has a knack for crucial goals in big games and is the most decorated African footballer in history, having won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, English Premier League, FA Cup and an Olympic gold medal.

Where is he now: Portsmouth (10 league appearances this season)

Despite still being the captain of the Nigeria national team, Kanu is mainly used off the pine for Portsmouth. Still, he has a cult following in the English game.

For what he’s worth:

At 32, the two-times former African Footballer of the Year has plenty to offer a competition like the A-League. His eye for goal and trickery on the ball would make him a hit with fans and the slower pace would suit him more than the rigours of the EPL.

8. Yildiray Basturk, 30

In his prime: Bayer Leverkusen

At just 5’6, German-born Basturk would struggle to get onto most rollercoasters. But the diminutive attacking midfielder has scaled the heights of football, having won the bronze medal with Turkey at the 2002 World Cup.

Where is he now: Stuttgart (Four league appearances this season)

Things have slowed down for Basturk on the pitch recently, having fallen out with national team coach Fatih Terim and playing less than a handful of matches for Stuttgart this season.

For what he’s worth:

Turkish clubs have plucked the eyes out of enough A-League sides over the past couple of seasons. Why can’t we return the favour? Basturk is one of a handful of stars leftover from the 2002 World Cup, who’s skills would add much needed creativity to a competition oft criticised for it’s lack of quality football. Plus he’d get a stack more game time than he is at Stuttgart this season.

7. Hasan Sas, 32

In his prime: Galatasaray

For the past 10 years, the veteran midfielder/striker has plied his football trade at Galatasaray. In his pomp, he caught the recruiting eye of AC Milan and Arsenal but elected to stay in his homeland.

Where is he now: Galatasaray (Four league appearances this season)

Still at Gala, yet struggling to get off the pine, Sas has become a bit-part member of a side that now includes Socceroos star Harry Kewell and Czech striker Milan Baros.

For what he’s worth:

Why not go for the Turkey double and get Sas and Basturk – the creative duo have the skill to match it with any player in the A-League and pack invaluable Europe and international experience.

6. Jon Dahl Tomasson, 32

In his prime: Feyenoord

A 16-year professional career has seen the Danish veteran ply his trade in no less than six different countries. But unlike many A-League imports, they haven’t been second or third-tier ones. At the peak of his run, Tomasson played for Feyenoord then AC Milan.

Where is he now: Feyenoord (Nine league appearances this season)

Tomasson returned to Feyenoord last year, after a woeful stint at La Liga outfit Villareal, and is back scoring goals in the Eredivisie.

For what he’s worth:

A potent aerial weapon, the current international has netted 51 times in 102 games for Denmark. That's an impressive international record by anyone's standards.

5. Fernando Morientes, 32

In his prime: Real Madrid

At the peak of his powers, the one-time Spain striker was a goalscoring machine during a fruitful stint at Real Madrid from 1997-2005. During that time Los Merengues won three UEFA Champions League titles and two Primera Liga trophies.

Where is he now: Valencia (11 league appearances this season)

Morientes has been mainly used off the bench for Valencia this season and with the club in a financial meltdown and talking about selling their stars, he may be available sooner rather then later.

For what he’s worth:

As we’ve seen with Eugene Dadi and Charlie Millar, an import with ability is good, but an import who can put them away is like gold. Morientes is as clinical as they come and would be a star at any A-League club. Did we mention that he has scored five goals at two World Cups?

4. Henrik Larsson, 37

In his prime: Celtic

Larsson is one of those rare footballers who carved up the Scottish Premier League, then proved it wasn't just an ‘SPL’ thing. With Celtic he scored 174 goals and won four titles.

Where is he now: Helsingborg

After leaving the Hoops, he transferred to Barcelona - and helped the Catalans win two La Liga titles - before returning to Sweden with Helsingborg in 2006, where he continues to score goals.  He then played a role as a loan player in Manchester United's EPL triumph in 2007 - as a 35-year-old.

For what he’s worth:

You can be forgiven for thinking that at 37, Larsson would be more a Mario Jardel than a Dwight Yorke. But rest assured, the Sweden captain is a goalscoring freak that still has what it takes.

3. Patrick Kluivert, 32

In his prime: Barcelona

Unsuccessful stints at AC Milan and Newcastle bookended a golden run at Barcelona for the former Dutch international, who smashed home 90 goals in 182 for the Spanish juggernaut. He was a UEFA Champions League winner with Ajax as an 18-year-old in 1995.

Where is he now: Recently retired

Having started the season at Lille, Kluivert left after 10 games and is currently exploring his coaching options.

For what he’s worth:

Kluivert was in good touch – four goals from ten games – when he left Lille, saying at the time he was looking for a new challenge. The sunny climate of a fledgling league in Australia, where the moody marksman would be a star, could be just the thing he is looking for. He is the all-time leading scorer for the Netherlands.

2. Mark Viduka, 33

In his prime: Celtic and Leeds United

Dukes got himself onto the ‘most wanted’ list of a number of clubs after a golden run of goals that saw him scale the heights of the NSL, the Croatian top flight, the Scottish Premier League, and finally the English Premier League.

Where is he now: Newcastle United (Six league appearances this season)

Unfortunately Viduka's latter years have been marred by injury and an apparent inability to replicate his club form on the international stage for the Socceroos.

For what he’s worth:

Despite his faults, Aussies love the V-Bomber. He’s a sublimely gifted striker and capable of pulling off the odd pearler. He would be a marketing boon for the A-League and could form a lethal combination with any fortunate striker partner.

1. Hernan Crespo, 33

In his prime:  Lazio

Statistically, Crespo’s best years were at Lazio, where he scored 52 goals in 70 matches – an incredible 72 percent strike rate.

Where is he now: Inter (10 league appearances this season)

His efforts for Lazio and Parma caught the eye of every big club in Europe. But, like Viduka, Crespo had trouble settling and never quite replicated the form with Inter, Milan or Chelsea.

For what he’s worth:

Forget the inconsistency, Crespo would have a field day in the A-League. Big, strong and clinical, he is just the man to turn an A-League side into an attacking threat.

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