Fox Sports' Sunday Shootout hosts Adam Peacock, Mark Bosnich and Michael Bridges say Melbourne Heart midfielder Orlando Engelaar's incredible goal against the Central Coast Mariners surpasses David Beckham's 1996 classic strike for skill and execution.
Melbourne Heart marquee Orlando Engelaar might not be at the club next season. Source: News Limited
WITH finals out of the picture, Melbourne Heart will now look to the future.
But whether fan favourite Orlando Engelaar is a part of the Manchester City revolution club next season remains to be seen.
A host of Heart players are coming out of contract in the coming weeks, led by Engelaar and Harry Kewell.
Orlando Engelaar scores a stunner from his own half to put the Melbourne Heart in front in what could be the A-league goal of the year
Engelaar signed a one-year deal as a marquee player last August and the Dutchman put his name up in lights on Sunday with a miracle goal scored from inside Heart’s defensive half.
But coach John van ‘t Schip cast doubt on the 34-year-old’s future beyond the next three rounds: “He’s having some things that he wants to think over and we also have things that we are looking at for the future,” he said.
Patrick Gerhardt, Patrick Kisnorbo, Sam Mitchinson, David Vrankovic and Jeremy Walker are the others, while deals for Jason Hoffman and Tando Velaphi are believed to be as good as done.
The club last week announced a two-year deal for David Williams, while Western Sydney’s Aaron Mooy is also expected to head to Heart. Striker Michael Mifsud has been released.
Melbourne Heart attacker David Williams has signed a two-year contract extension with the club, while Maltese striker Michael Mifsud has been released following a difficult spell in the A-League.
Engelaar has endured a tough eight months, having to rehabilitate from a broken leg suffered during the pre-season.
He is understood to be happy in Melbourne, but with his wife due to give birth to the couple’s second child in the middle of the year, the lure of home is strong.
There is even the outside possibility that he could retire from professional football all together.
Manchester City’s riches could also prompt Heart to go in search of a new, higher profile marquee.
Melbourne Heart must start planning for next season after they let slip a 1-0 lead over the Central Coast at AAMI Park
If so, Engelaar would have to sign a reduced deal underneath the salary cap to stay.
“Of course we are thinking about things and I have had a little chat with him,” van ‘t Schip said.
Heart is also set to attract a new Australian marquee after signing Williams under next season’s $2.55m salary cap.
Victorian Socceroo Josh Kennedy has been mentioned and the Nagoya Grampus striker comes out of contract in December.
Josh Kennedy is shaping up as a marquee target for Melbourne Heart. Source: News Limited
But two goals in four games to start the new J-League season following on from a strong 2013 means the Man City group would likely have to pay a high price to snare the 31-year-old if he were to entertain a move.
Mark Bresciano, who trained with Heart throughout February while serving a suspension, is another Melburnian who would fit the marquee bill but his deal at Al-Gharafa doesn’t expire until mid 2015.
“There are possibilities to have a look in the market and we’re discussing with the Manchester City group what’s possible and what kind of options there are,” van ‘t Schip said.
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