More internationals in the A-League?

[GoalSydneyFC]

Should the A-league allow each team to field as many internationals as they desire? I am an avid supporter of the A-league and try to watch as many games as I can due to the generosity of the A-league cappers here. (I live in Japan and don't get back to Sydney much.)
Definitely, there have been some outstanding Aussies like Nicky Carle, Archie Thompson, Nathan Burns, Alex Brosque. Some of the better international players so far have been Cassio, Fred, Reinaldo, Patrick and Juninho. (My point here was to name a handful of examples, not a definitive list.) But with some of the international players comes perhaps more excitement, different playing styles, flair... I agree that there are Aussies who bring these too. But I would like to know others' opinions. Would you like to see more international players playing in the A-league? Would it help develop our game in our country? Could the A-league handle more international players?
Cheers.

[Rhys]

I think the more the better. After watching the Sydney/Adelaide game yesterday, is pretty obvious we are still stuck in the habit of playing the long ball at every opportunity. As long as it keeps on being prevalent, the game in this country won't progress very far. The better players from overseas will improve the local players too by providing a higher level of competition too. I don't think it will effect the playing time of the decent prospects, for example Djite/Burns and co. would start in any team in the league.

[parkyh]

I think it would be a disaster for football in Aus if any number of international players could play in the a-league.

Look at football teams in Scotland for example. There was a period a few years back when just about every team in the SPL was filled with mainly foreign players and as a result the national team went downhill. There was no way the up-and-coming young players could break through to the first team.

Nowadays, it's mainly home grown talent playing for in the SPL and surprise surprise, the national team is doing far better.

The a-league should be a springboard for the future socceroos of tomorrow.

[awfullyjoe]

I think it would be a disaster for football in Aus if any number of international players could play in the a-league.

Look at football teams in Scotland for example. There was a period a few years back when just about every team in the SPL was filled with mainly foreign players and as a result the national team went downhill. There was no way the up-and-coming young players could break through to the first team.

Nowadays, it's mainly home grown talent playing for in the SPL and surprise surprise, the national team is doing far better.

The a-league should be a springboard for the future socceroos of tomorrow.

Agree with you.

As the next gen of Aussies emerge, the long ball game will disappear. Kids will become more entice with soccer and will strive to learn the technical abilities required to play beautiful football and not just boot it up when given the chance.

[ozmfc]

An influx in international players will turn away supporters in droves. If the ASA had listened to Warren ten years ago then the football would be something to watch. Now, its just a pile of shit wrapped in a glitzy EPL package and no amount of international players is going to help but drag it down futher.

[infirmus]

Yeah bad idea. 4 per team is enough.

[Rhys]

I don't know why you wouldn't want goals set up like this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq3BG_e9nEc) by Juninho. The players around the superstars have to lift their game playing with these guys. If the locals are good enough, they will still play. I would have Burns and Djite up front for my team over any other strikers in the league, international or not.

[Adelaide_Forest]

I think teams should be allowed say 3 or 4. Not all of them.
It would help our better players because they would be able to play alongside and against better players.
As long as the players coming in are of a decent standard of course.. not just cheap imports. AUFC have had some good ones. Qu was good, Fernando as well. And Cassio looks like being a star.

I think that there needs to be a youth/reserve league setup though. Our young players would benefit from playing in a comp such as this...