Wanderers bolster ranks with another ex-Premier League midfielder
Western Sydney Wanderers have used their final foreign player spot on another midfielder after signing former England youth international Jordon Mutch for the rest of the A-League season.
Mutch is best known for his time at Cardiff City, where he was part of the team that won the second-tier Championship in 2012-13.
Jordon Mutch played alongside Bernie Ibini and under Carl Robinson at Vancouver Whitecaps in 2018.Credit:Getty
He went on to play in the Premier League for Cardiff, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace, having originally come through the youth system at Birmingham City.
The 29-year-old has previously played under Wanderers coach Carl Robinson at Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps – where he spent 2018 on loan from Crystal Palace.
Mutch's connection to Robinson runs even deeper; he has ties to the same management group, Avid Sports & Entertainment, as the coach and his new teammate Bernie Ibini, who he also played alongside at Vancouver.
More recently, Mutch has struggled for game time, having notched just nine league appearances in total across stints at South Korean side Gyeongnam and Norwegian outfit Aalesunds FK.
But Mutch said he jumped at the opportunity to reunite with Robinson, who he called "the best manager I’ve worked under" – high praise, considering he also played for Alex McLeish, Malky Mackay, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 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 a person, I am delighted to get the opportunity to play under him again," said Mutch, who will link up with the Western Sydney squad next month.
"I have learnt a lot from the different cultures, leagues, and playing under many top managers which I have gained a lot experience from.
"It's taught me how much I love the game and to stay dedicated to it as it's only a short career.
Jordon Mutch has described Carl Robinson as the best coach he’s ever worked under.Credit:Getty
"I have watched the A-League here in the UK and also played in Asia in the Asian Champions League so I have seen a lot of matches and I expect it to be a very competitive league as there are many good teams in it."
The Wanderers already seem to be well-stocked in midfield after James Troisi and Graham Dorrans were brought in to compliment Olyroos star Keanu Baccus and several other highly-rated youngsters on their books – and although the need for a line-leading striker is desperately apparent, Mutch's acquisition gives Robinson further depth in the centre of the park and know-how in the dressing room.
It also rounds out the club's five-strong foreign contingent, which includes Dorrans, defender Ziggy Gordon and forwards Nicolai Mueller and Simon Cox.
"Jordon brings experience and quality having played at a high level and will show some of our younger players the levels that are needed day in and day out," said Robinson.
"He is a leader by the way he trains and plays and will fit into the squad very well with his character as we continue to influence the culture and environment."
The Wanderers, who lost 1-0 to Macarthur FC in their season opener, face Robinson's former club Newcastle Jets on Friday night.
Sport newsletter
Sports, results and expert commentary delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up to the Herald‘s weekday newsletter here and The Age‘s weekly newsletter here.
Most Viewed in Sport
Source: Read Full Article