Harry Kewell may be on his way to the A-League

Reports linking Harry Kewell to America’s Major League Soccer might indicate an A-League stint is around the corner for the Socceroos veteran, Fox Sports football commentator Mark Bosnich believes.

Kewell’s contract with Turkish giant Galatasaray, who are languishing in 13th spot in the Turkish Super Lig, expires in June, and Bosnich believes we could see Kewell in the A-League within three years.

“I do believe in the back of his head he would want to parade his skills in the A-League even if it’s for one season,” Bosnich said.

“He grew up here. He is the type of lad that tries to put something back to where he comes from.

“You’ve just got to be realistic, and that’s not to be disparaging to the A-League. It’s perhaps more to do with the money he can earn. You only have a short career as a player, and you have to maximise that.

“It could also be a ruse to kick a few A-League clubs up the backside to say: ‘Look I’m going to go to the MLS, are you interested?’ So we can’t rule that out as well.”

Bosnich warned that the speculation could also simply be a move by Kewell’s agent to attract options by making sure his client’s future is in the spotlight.

While Bosnich believes the Socceroos No.10 still has more to offer at the top level, he added that a possible move to America was not a bad option – or an affront to Australia’s domestic league.

“I do know Harry does have a very close affection with America,” Bosnich said.

“The American league, the MLS, since David Beckham arrived, has really taken off.

“It went through a rough patch through seasons six, seven and eight, but the last three or four seasons seasons, with David Beckham, Thierry Henry, (Juan) Pablo Angel, formerly of Aston Villa, it really has come on leaps and bounds.

“I would think that would be an option for Harry, but I still believe that he’s young enough to play a little bit longer in Europe.

“If he is considering going to MLS, that would be a good sign for Australian football because I think then that maybe the last port of call might be the A-League.”

Melbourne Victory striker Danny Allsopp has said the MLS is a more physical, combative league than the A-League, but Bosnich says that shouldn’t be a mitigating factor to dissuade Kewell.

“You saw when he took his shirt off against Iraq – he’s always been an athlete,” Bosnich said.

“The only question remained around Harry when he had those niggling injuries, and I think he was his own worst enemy because he wanted to play so much and the managers that he was playing under … wanted him to play.

“As long as he’s 100 per cent fit, he can compete anywhere.”

Bosnich understands why Kewell might not return to Australia in his next deal, given he has family and football reasons to consider, but Bosnich is adamant where he’d like to see his fellow Western Sydney product play if he does return.

“In terms of when it may be, it will come down to his personal choice,” Bosnich said.

“I would say within the next three years if he does come back.

“He’s a Western Sydney boy, like myself.

“If there’s no Western Sydney side, I’d like to see him at Sydney.”

And with the likes of Jason Culina and Matty McKay flourishing in the Socceroos from the domestic league, the former Australia No.1 says a return home won’t hamper Kewell’s desire to play on in the green and gold.

by Buford Balony

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