Davila chases history after staying loyal to Phoenix
Like many of his Wellington Phoenix team-mates, Mexican star Ulises Davila had offers to play elsewhere after his stellar A-League season last year.
But when his agent informed him of the overseas interest at the end of the 2019-20 campaign, Davila made it clear his intention was to return to the Phoenix to see out the final year of his contract.
He said he felt indebted to Ufuk Talay for taking a punt on him when other coaches did not, after failing to set the Indian Super League alight during a brief spell with Delhi Dynamos.
‘‘When all these things started to come I said to Uffie: ‘If you want me back then Iwill do everything to go back’. My family is happy there and I’m happy there. For sure, you always listen to these things, but in my mind it was always to come back to the Phoenix,’’ Davila said.
‘‘Uffie trusted me when other people maybe didn’t. He gave me that confidence so I said I really want to complete my contract. When I finish my contract we will see what next but in my mind it was always to come back to finish the job.’’
After sticking by the club, the mercurial Davila was appointed
Phoenix captain for 2020-21. Although taken aback by Talay’s decision, the 29-year-old said he was honoured to succeed Steven Taylor as skipper.
He is soon to be joined by his wife and son, who are currently in New Zealand serving two weeks in managed isolation before travelling onto Australia, which should give him a boost off the pitch too.
‘‘It’s very important to be with them becausemy boy is only nine months [old], and I’ve been away from him for four months or more. It’s tough. I love football but Iwant to have my family here so we can enjoy this nice country like we did in New Zealand.’’
Davila scored 12 goals for the Phoenix last season, making it the most prolific spell of his professional career. Looking ahead to the new campaign, he said hewas aiming for more assists and was excited to link up with new striker Tomer Hemed – a player he believes has the potential to make amajor impact.
The Israeli international has joined the Phoenix after a season with English Championship club Charlton Athletic but previously played for Brighton and Hove Albion, helping them win promotion to the Premier League before making 16 appearances in the top-flight.
Davila said the pair had already formed a connection away from the pitch as Hemed speaks Spanish, having spent five years living in Spain when he played for La Liga clubs Mallorca and Almeria between 2011 and 2015.
‘‘He’s an amazing guy. He can speak
Spanish so it’s easy for me. We have been talking a lot andwe have a good friendship, and I’ve told him: ‘Tomer, you have to score many goals’. He’s a top player, he’s proved that and he will be amazing for us,’’ Davila said.
‘‘He’s excited to be here and has the same ambition as everyone ... to be one of the best players in the league and for sure the top scorer.’’
Despite losing the likes of Taylor, Liberato Cacace, Gary Hooper and Matti Steinmann in the off-season and having to relocate to Wollongong due to the travel restrictions between Australia and New Zealand, Davila believed the Phoenix still had the experience and quality tomount a serious challenge for the league title.
He said the main objective was to improve on last season’s third place finish, which would guarantee a return to the playoffs for the third straight year.
‘‘All the people said we made history to be in third place last season and for sure the break because Covid19 didn’t help us, but it’s no excuse and this season we will try to be in the top six and our ambition is the same; to have a better year than the last one.
‘‘Themain goal is tomake the playoffs and look for the championship. We are not starting from nothing like the last season. We are in a good position.’’