FC likely to thwart Colosimo's need for pre-cup game time
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday October 14, 2009
THE chances of Sydney FC allowing in-form defender Simon Colosimo to leave before the business end of the season in order to push his World Cup claims are remote.Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has made it clear to A-League players they need to be playing competitive football right through until mid-May if they want to be considered for the World Cup. Colosimo, in perhaps career-best form, has made no secret of his ambitions for a Socceroos recall in time for South Africa."Going to the World Cup is at the bottom of my heart, it would be the ultimate," he reiterated yesterday.However to give himself an outside chance, Colosimo would need to leave either permanently or on loan by the transfer deadline on January 31 €“ two weeks before the end of the regular season, and almost two months before the grand final on March 20.This scenario has little support from the club, with new chief executive Edwin Lugt saying yesterday: "We don't say a definite no, but it's also a step too far to say we would definitely release him. We understand the position of the national coach, we also understand the position of the player, and we will try and do everything possible to maximise the chances of qualifying for the squad. But at the same time the club has a broader interest, and the games at the end of the season are very important to us."Agents acting on behalf of a host of A-League hopefuls have already begun sounding out clubs in the Middle East, China, Japan and the United States about taking players on loan.While Perth Glory owner Tony Sage yesterday indicated his willingness to allow his trio of World Cup hopefuls (Chris Coyne, Mile Sterjovski and Jacob Burns) to leave before the finals, Colosimo's agent, Leo Karis, is not surprised Sydney FC might be less accommodating."To be honest, I don't believe any short-term loan deals are feasible, for Simon Colosimo or anyone else," Karis said. "I don't think any club in Asia will be interested in taking a player from March 21, the day after the grand final, until mid-May, when I believe Pim wants his squad in camp. And I don't think Sydney FC will be that fussed about letting him go until they've played their last match. It's a very difficult situation, and I can't see a solution to it."Colosimo is out of contract at the end of the season, and apart from opening talks with Sydney FC about a possible new deal has been targeted by the new Melbourne team.Capped 24 times by his country, Colosimo has not played for the Socceroos for more than three years and was called up only briefly by Verbeek for a training camp early last year.However, an injury-free pre-season and a permanent shift back to central defence has made him a standout for the Sky Blues.But while Colosimo freely admits he's dreaming of going to South Africa, he insists he's not going to rock the boat with his club."Things like missing the finals €“ I'm not even thinking about it," he said. "By the time decisions have to be made, I guess I'll have some idea whether I'm in Pim's plans or not. Until then, I don't want to stress myself out worrying about it."Lugt believes the best solution could be a loan deal to either Adelaide United or Melbourne Victory, who will be playing from February to May in the Asian Champions League.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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