Cocu admits Sydney link

[_mR aSj_]

PSV Eindhoven's 36-year-old captain Phillip Cocu has confirmed he is considering an offer from A-League outfit Sydney FC.

The former Dutch international midfielder, who retired after the World Cup in Germany, emerged as the leading contender to replace Dwight Yorke as the club's marquee player on the same day interim coach Branko Culina signed a two-year contract with the inaugural A-League champions.

Culina's son Jason is a current team-mate of Cocu's at the Philips Stadion.

"It's true there has been contact with my agent [Rob Jansen], but at this stage I'm not sure what I am going to do," Cocu told The Sydney Morning Herald.

"There are other options, I have other offers and I'm not sure what I am going to do yet."

Former England international's Robbie Fowler and Teddy Sheringham have recently been linked with Sydney's vacant marquee player role.

The wages for A-League side's marquee players are not included in the team's salary cap.

Chairman Edmund Capon said that Cocu was not the only player in Sydney's sights.

"It's a bit like chasing the end of the rainbow - you see it, you're just about to grasp it, and then something comes along and eclipses it," he explained.

"There are three on the run at the moment - the offers are out. Let's hope we can get it done as soon as possible. The season over there [Europe] is drawing to a close, so this is a time to do it."

[_mR aSj_]

he would be a wonder signing for the A- League.. would be nice to him down here playing in Australia.. give our younger players to mature with him around.. his experiance would help alot

[Langbaard]

I've read about this too, would be good for the A-league to get some more experienced players in the league. Cocu is still a great player, despite his age, not the fittest player anymore, but technical-wise, experience-wise and his leadership qualities will all come of great use to his teammates.

With the current situation at PSV I don't see him extending his contract here, he's still the main man on the midfield and on his age he thinks it's to much on this lvl ( national, cup, international matches ).

Only if they would get a star player for the midfield, he might consider staying at PSV. But I'v read about this on multiple occasions and was on a football program not to long ago as well about his move to Sydney FC.

Would be nice to see this happening, besides, in his last years why not go to such a beautiful country to play and enjoy the game/country:)

[Langbaard]

I read another new article today in the Dutch papers, linking Cocu with a transfer to Sydney. Cocu gave a press conference a few days ago announcing he would stop at PSV, but not a single mention of stopping with his football career so that might be a hint.

Alot of signs show Cocu is going to Australia next season, but in the end we'll have to wait on something constructive to come out. In any case, he still showed his age doesn't mean nothing for the way he is playing football. Ofcourse he is not the same as 4/5 years ago at his top, but he is definetely still World-Class.

[_mR aSj_]

fingers crossed i really hope he comes down here, would be great for football in this country... his like a fine wine gets better with age :P

[Demandred]

i think having a crack at the asian champions league is whats interesting him the most it would be another accolade in an already sucessful career.