Weltnachrichten – AU – Wanderers strengthen themselves with another former Premier League midfielder

Western Sydney Wanderers have taken their last spot as a foreign player with another midfielder after signing former England youth international Jordon Mutch for the remainder of the A-League season.

Mutch is best known for his time in Cardiff City, where he was part of the team that won the second division championship in 2012-13.

He played in the Premier League for Cardiff, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace after originally going through the Birmingham City youth system.

The 29-year-old previously played under Wanderers’ coach Carl Robinson for Major League Soccer team Vancouver Whitecaps – where he was loaned from Crystal Palace in 2018.

Mutch’s connection with Robinson goes even deeper. He is associated with the same management group, Avid Sports & Entertainment, as the coach and his new teammate Bernie Ibini, with whom he also played in Vancouver.

More recently, Mutch has been battling for game time after playing just nine league games with South Korean side Gyeongnam and Norwegian side Aalesunds FK.

But Mutch said he took the opportunity to reunite with Robinson, whom he described as « the best manager I’ve worked under » – kudos considering he was also for Alex McLeish , Malky Mackay and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played Harry Redknapp, Alan Pardew, Sam Allardyce, Frank de Boer, Roy Hodgson and Jaap Staam.

« He brings out the best in people as a player and as a person. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to play under him again, « said Mutch, who will be teaming up with the Western Sydney squad next month.

« I learned a lot from different cultures, leagues and playing under a lot of top managers from which I gained a lot of experience.

« It taught me how much I love the game and how to devote myself to it since it’s only a short career.

« I’ve seen the A-League here in the UK and also played in the Asian Champions League in Asia. I’ve seen a lot of games and I expect it to be a very competitive league as there are a lot of good teams out there. « 

The Wanderers already seem to be well placed in midfield after James Troisi and Graham Dorrans were included in their books as compliments for Olyroos star Keanu Baccus and several other high profile young players – and although the need for a leading striker is there desperately evident that Mutch’s acquisition gives Robinson more depth in the middle of the park and know-how in the locker room.

It also rounds out the club’s five-man foreign contingent, which includes Dorrans, defender Ziggy Gordon, and strikers Nicolai Mueller and Simon Cox.

« Jordon brings experience and quality after playing at a high level and will be showing some of our younger players the levels they need every day, » said Robinson.

« He is a leader in the way he trains and plays and will fit very well with the squad with his character as we continue to influence the culture and the environment. « 

The Wanderers, who lost 1-0 to Macarthur FC in the season opener, will face Robinson’s former club Newcastle Jets on Friday night.

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Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Jordon Mutch, Premier League, Carl Robinson, midfielder