Vince Grella’s decision to end his time in Europe and head back to the A-League with the Melbourne Heart has excited the A league betting outlets. The midfielder has ended his 14-year stay in Europe and made the decision to return to Melbourne in order to sign for the Heart, managed by Grella’s former Socceroo teammate, John Aloisi.
The 33-year old was released by Blackburn Rovers following their relegation from the Premier League, ending a four-year stint at the club which was regularly interrupted by injury, restricting Grella to just nine appearances in two seasons.
The veteran playmaker spent the off-season back in Australia working on his fitness, and it was then that Grella met up with Aloisi, who convinced the midfielder to sign with the Heart for the duration of this season.
While he may not be the player he was five years ago, Grella will still be a very useful acquisition for Melbourne. Not many Australian midfielders possess the vision and creativity that Grella brings to a team, and if he can keep fit then the Heart will have a real player on their hands.
There is also the benefit of Grella’s vast experience at the top-level of European football, which will only help the younger players in the Heart squad, not to mention his 46 international caps.
All in all, the signing of Grella is exactly what this Melbourne Heart team need this season. There is plenty of young exciting players coming through the ranks, but there had been doubts over whether or not there was enough experience in the squad for the team to be a real force in the A-League this season.
Grella’s arrival may convince those doubters in the news soccer that Aloisi’s side could well be capable of achieving something this season.
