MELBOURNE defender Rody Vargas said he can't wait for there to be a second team in Victoria but won't rule out moving clubs after his current deal expires at the end of the season.
The competition is set to add two new teams based on the Gold Coast and in Townsville next season with plans for further expansion the following year including a second team based in Melbourne. Vargas is of the opinion that all competition is good competition and he can't wait for a second Melbourne team.
"I'd love to see two teams in Melbourne. Hopefully the FFA would add another team in Melbourne. There's supposed to be another two coming in next year and I would love Melbourne to come in after that," he said.
Vargas said there was a sense that the current eight teams were too familiar with each other and that expansion would add an extra dimension to the rivalries between teams.
"We play each other three times, we play each other pre-season. We are very familiar with each other. Having said that, squads do change every season. Adding in an extra two teams would add an element for us. Who wouldn't want to play in the sun of the Gold Coast. We're looking forward to it," he said.
There's little doubt that Vargas is one of the most improved players in the A-League having gone from the Victorian Premier League to the verge of Socceroos selection in the space of 12 months. He is one of the best defenders in the A-League and could be in line for a much improved contract, which is currently under negotiation.
An out of contract Vargas is likely to draw the attention of the new franchises and while the 29-year-old said his heart remained tied to the city of his birth he would not rule out a move if the opportunity arose.
"In football you can never close any doors. You've always got to keep your options open. I've said all along since coming to Melbourne, I'm a Melbourne boy, I love Melbourne. It's the best city in the world. I'd love to remain here for the rest of my contract. But you can never say never," he said.
Meanwhile, fitness concerns remain over three key Melbourne players ahead of the home match against Adelaide on Friday night. Michael Thwaite rates himself just a 50-50 chance to play after injuring his ankle in the 5-0 victory over Newcastle, while Nick Ward and Carlos Hernandez both trained only lightly on Wednesday.
Ward has been battling a calf injury which has prevented him from playing so far this season, while Hernandez has hamstring tightness after a big week on the track.
"I'd love to see two teams in Melbourne. Hopefully the FFA would add another team in Melbourne. There's supposed to be another two coming in next year and I would love Melbourne to come in after that," he said.
Vargas said there was a sense that the current eight teams were too familiar with each other and that expansion would add an extra dimension to the rivalries between teams.
"We play each other three times, we play each other pre-season. We are very familiar with each other. Having said that, squads do change every season. Adding in an extra two teams would add an element for us. Who wouldn't want to play in the sun of the Gold Coast. We're looking forward to it," he said.
There's little doubt that Vargas is one of the most improved players in the A-League having gone from the Victorian Premier League to the verge of Socceroos selection in the space of 12 months. He is one of the best defenders in the A-League and could be in line for a much improved contract, which is currently under negotiation.
An out of contract Vargas is likely to draw the attention of the new franchises and while the 29-year-old said his heart remained tied to the city of his birth he would not rule out a move if the opportunity arose.
"In football you can never close any doors. You've always got to keep your options open. I've said all along since coming to Melbourne, I'm a Melbourne boy, I love Melbourne. It's the best city in the world. I'd love to remain here for the rest of my contract. But you can never say never," he said.
Meanwhile, fitness concerns remain over three key Melbourne players ahead of the home match against Adelaide on Friday night. Michael Thwaite rates himself just a 50-50 chance to play after injuring his ankle in the 5-0 victory over Newcastle, while Nick Ward and Carlos Hernandez both trained only lightly on Wednesday.
Ward has been battling a calf injury which has prevented him from playing so far this season, while Hernandez has hamstring tightness after a big week on the track.
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