Clubs still chasing spent talent
It went almost unnoticed, but last week it was announced Si Sa Ket had parted ways with their star striker Leroy Lita, with the club apparently unable to pay him his wages.
Five goals this season was a paltry return for the ex-English Premier League man, who was also forced to apologise for his off-the-field conduct and frequently found himself relegated to the bench.
His lacklustre stint in the Thai League may have disappointed Si Sa Ket’s owners, but shouldn’t really come as a surprise.
Lita was released by English fourthtier club Yeovil last season with former glory days with Reading and Middlesbrough a distant memory.
Lita is the latest example of some club owners thinking a big name (or at least someone who has played in the English top flight) is worth the high wages, even if the player has seen better days.
Simply put, Lita came for the money and it showed.
Thai clubs are much better served going after players with less stellar reputations seeking to make their name.
Lita’s failure to find the net echoed the experience of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, whose spell with SCG Muang Thong United back in 2011 delivered just two goals.
Fowler, of course, was well on the wane by then but was tempted by the huge wages on offer.
Ex-Newcastle striker Xisco Jimenez is another example of a player who has formerly played in the English Premier League, but was unremarkable in Thailand.
While he didn’t let himself down and memorably scored the winner in an AFC Champions League tie against Kashima Antlers, he was quickly jettisoned ahead of the second half of this season when Muang Thong signed Heberty Fernandes and Leandro Assumpcao.
Other Southeast Asian countries have gone down a similar route of being attracted by big names on the wane, with predictable results.
Ex-West Ham striker Carlton Cole’s dismal time at Persib Bandung in Indonesia this season is a recent example of a big move turned sour.
Contrast those horror stories with the time enjoyed in Thailand by Bangkok United pair Dragan Boskovic and Mario Gjurovski.
Eight years ago Boskovic, now 31, was plying his trade for Fudbalski Klub Buducnost Podgorica in his native Montenegro.
He initially proved himself at Suphanburi, and in 2015 was snapped up by Bangkok United. He’s since scored 63 goals for the club, a remarkable 30 coming so far this season.
Likewise, despite his obvious talent, Gjurovski’s career back in 2012 had yet to take off and he was struggling for playing time at the now defunct Ukrainian side Metalurh Donetsk.
Gjurovski, also 31, joined Muang Thong United and the rest is history, a trophy-laden four years there preceding his current successful stint with Bangkok United, where he has frequently starred for Mano Polking’s side with goals and assists over the past two seasons.
Boskovic is currently the leading scorer in the Thai League with 30 goals while Gjurovski has netted 14 times.
Both Boskovic and Gjurovski are noted for their hunger and desire to make an impact, and have not seen Thailand just as an extended holiday or prolonged pay day.
There is a lesson here for Thai owners. While the glamour of association with a former top European star might set the pulses racing and give everyone an ego boost, it’s often not in the interests of the club.
Si Sa Ket, for one, have clearly overspent this season, have had to sell their best players and are now facing relegation.
However, it’s unlikely to deter others in future going after fool’s gold.
If it’s one thing we know for sure, club owners — and Thai League ones especially — are not adverse to the lure of publicity and basking in the reflected glory of others’ past achievements.