bulldogmariner
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The Australian stating they we are interested in the former Gunners star.
Former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg on Central Coast Mariners hit list
by: Ray Gatt
Freddie Ljungberg in goalscoring form for Arsenal in 2004. The attacking midfielder has been linked to Central Coast Mariners for next season. Source: AP
FORMER Arsenal attacking midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has been linked with a possible move to A-League premier side Central Coast Mariners for next season.
The Australian has been told an Australian-based representative for Ljungberg has been in discussions with the Mariners for at least the past two weeks regarding him playing in the national competition as the club's first foreign marquee player.
The former Sweden captain, who was capped 75 times for his country, is without a club after he parted company with J-League side Shimizu S-Pulse at the end of last season.
Ljungberg arrived in Japan under an injury cloud and was able to play only eight games without scoring.
Before going to Japan he played eight times for Scottish giant Celtic last season.
While he has managed just 16 games in some 20 months, his Australian representative allayed fears he would not be a viable option in the A-League.
"Far from it. I think he would be a huge acquisition," the agent said. "People should remember that Dwight Yorke had very little football when he went to Sydney FC - and look what he did for the club.
"And look at Harry Kewell. How much football had he managed over the previous few years before he went to Melbourne Victory? He has played nearly every match this season."
Ljungberg made his name playing for Arsenal between 1997 and 2008. He played 216 games and scored 46 goals.
Mariners chairman Peter Turnbull confirmed the club was looking at Ljungberg.
"He could do great things for us as a club, no doubt," Turnbull said. "We have never had a foreign marquee player before."
Mariners coach Graham Arnold said he would have a fit and healthy squad of 22 to choose from for Saturday night's first-leg major semi-final against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
"The spirit is fantastic here at the moment as you would expect," Arnold said.
"The players are jumping out of their skins. There is huge confidence after what we have achieved so far this season.
"Winning the Premiers Plate was a fabulous effort after what we have been through this season. It shows the character and culture of this great club."
Arnold does not believe his players will be under more pressure to perform after they helped grab the club's second Premiers Plate in seven seasons.
"There's nothing between us and Brisbane Roar," Arnold said.
"It will get down to who performs best on the day and who takes their chances."
He said Roar would present many problems, especially through its attacking options.
"When you have a goalscorer like (Besart) Berisha, who had a fantastic season, and (Thomas) Broich then we have to be on our toes defensively," he said. "Thankfully we have the best defensive record in the league with 24 goals against us in 27 games."
Central Coast was rewarded for its stellar season with three players - goalkeeper Matt Ryan and defenders Patrick Zwaanswijk and Josh Rose - named in Professional Footballers Australia's team of the season. Arnold was also honoured, being named the PFA's coach of the year.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/former-arsenal-star-freddie-ljungberg-on-central-coast-mariners-hit-list/story-fn63e0vj-1226312890521
Would he be a good signing?
Former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg on Central Coast Mariners hit list
by: Ray Gatt
Freddie Ljungberg in goalscoring form for Arsenal in 2004. The attacking midfielder has been linked to Central Coast Mariners for next season. Source: AP
FORMER Arsenal attacking midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has been linked with a possible move to A-League premier side Central Coast Mariners for next season.
The Australian has been told an Australian-based representative for Ljungberg has been in discussions with the Mariners for at least the past two weeks regarding him playing in the national competition as the club's first foreign marquee player.
The former Sweden captain, who was capped 75 times for his country, is without a club after he parted company with J-League side Shimizu S-Pulse at the end of last season.
Ljungberg arrived in Japan under an injury cloud and was able to play only eight games without scoring.
Before going to Japan he played eight times for Scottish giant Celtic last season.
While he has managed just 16 games in some 20 months, his Australian representative allayed fears he would not be a viable option in the A-League.
"Far from it. I think he would be a huge acquisition," the agent said. "People should remember that Dwight Yorke had very little football when he went to Sydney FC - and look what he did for the club.
"And look at Harry Kewell. How much football had he managed over the previous few years before he went to Melbourne Victory? He has played nearly every match this season."
Ljungberg made his name playing for Arsenal between 1997 and 2008. He played 216 games and scored 46 goals.
Mariners chairman Peter Turnbull confirmed the club was looking at Ljungberg.
"He could do great things for us as a club, no doubt," Turnbull said. "We have never had a foreign marquee player before."
Mariners coach Graham Arnold said he would have a fit and healthy squad of 22 to choose from for Saturday night's first-leg major semi-final against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
"The spirit is fantastic here at the moment as you would expect," Arnold said.
"The players are jumping out of their skins. There is huge confidence after what we have achieved so far this season.
"Winning the Premiers Plate was a fabulous effort after what we have been through this season. It shows the character and culture of this great club."
Arnold does not believe his players will be under more pressure to perform after they helped grab the club's second Premiers Plate in seven seasons.
"There's nothing between us and Brisbane Roar," Arnold said.
"It will get down to who performs best on the day and who takes their chances."
He said Roar would present many problems, especially through its attacking options.
"When you have a goalscorer like (Besart) Berisha, who had a fantastic season, and (Thomas) Broich then we have to be on our toes defensively," he said. "Thankfully we have the best defensive record in the league with 24 goals against us in 27 games."
Central Coast was rewarded for its stellar season with three players - goalkeeper Matt Ryan and defenders Patrick Zwaanswijk and Josh Rose - named in Professional Footballers Australia's team of the season. Arnold was also honoured, being named the PFA's coach of the year.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/former-arsenal-star-freddie-ljungberg-on-central-coast-mariners-hit-list/story-fn63e0vj-1226312890521
Would he be a good signing?
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