3. ROBBIE KRUSE

While a few of you might shudder at the thought of the Australian public's favourite ragdoll returning to the A-League, we reckon local clubs would be lining up to play part at in Robbie's resurgence.

German football mag Westline predicted the end of Kruse's German career with a punchy rebuke of the winger's work-ethic a couple of months ago:

“A prerequisite for a return to the squad but a different mentality, maybe a larger team spirit," the magazine noted.

"Especially in the crisis, Kruse abandoned his comrades and did not show that he was fighting the trend with all his might.”

But despite the bitter farewell, there are clear reasons why he's still a mouth-watering prospect after Kruse announced his split from 2.Bundesliga club VfL Bochum.

For a start, Kruse has a plenty of top flight experience and has generally managed to carve out game-time whenever fit, despite facing stiff competition in big clubs and lengthy periods out with injury.

He's a renowned work-horse and while the legs are a little shaky after a grimacing list of operations, it hasn't hampered his desire or love for the game.

Perhaps the reason why Socceroos fans have been so quick to rue Kruse's inconsistency at international level is because most of us can remember all too well just how devastating he used to be (and has shown he still can be at club level). 

Now 30-years-old, there aren't too many wingers in the A-league who could boast Kruse's versatility and intelligent positioning.

So those much-maligned shortcomings may actually be vastly reduced at this level and we may see a slight return towards the Kruse of old, bamboozling defenders and showcasing the phenomenal control that once set the world alight, all those years ago.