Liberato Cacace (Empoli | Italy)

Think you may be surprised how he may handle it,would imagine he would deal with it better than most Kiwi players given his background. Would rather that than some div3/4 side in Sweden or the likes.

Problem is he is likely to a) see very little game time (unlike the Bundesliga, reserve clubs are still a new concept in Italy and only Juventus has one playing in the third tier) or b) play and get destroyed like it happened to Brillante who started for Fiorentina vs Roma in the first game of the season, was mauled alive, taken off at HT and never played for them again.

I really rate Libby, I do. I just think Serie A is so tactical and competitive that he might not be ready for it.

He just might surprise with his ability to handle it. We can but hope. While they are miles apart think he surprised many with how he handled the step up here.

logic says Italy, he has Italian heritage, can speak Italian right? Think he has a game for that league as well.

Read the other day that Burnleys wage bill is the same as AC Milans so that league internationally doesn't pick up the high price foreign guns they once did.

Think he is too good for Belgium and possibly the Dutch as well

Libya's way too defensively frail at this point in his career to survive being thrown into Serie A right now.

Do agree with you on that maybe its an area no one has actually focused on with him as they are happy with what he is producing the other end. I just hope he dosnt go to a nothing league just because its Europe.

I think neither Holland nor Belgium qualify as "nothing leagues". Sure they're not the Bundesliga, Premiership, Championship, Serie A or La Liga, but what excited me about those two countries is that, if he goes there, he'll likely get picked up by one of the better teams, meaning he'll have a chance to shine, win titles, play in Europe and make a name for himself in the old continent. Then, if all goes to plan, he can look at the next step up.

Agree didn't mean either of those

think Algeria will be okay though?

but tbh, extremely hard disagree. as a starter? maybe, though plenty of teams play a three-at-the-back with little defensive responsibility for the wingbacks (Lazio, Atalanta, Hellas Verona the most attractive ones) and Cacace would flourish if a team's looking at him as a starting-quality or rotational player. as literally anything else? Primavera option? loaned out? bench option with rotational minutes? it would be fantastic for his development.

that being said, would prefer the Netherlands for similar reasons as others. You'd think guaranteed gametime, and at a lower (yet still class) level

I think some people's views on the Eredivisie in australia and nz are maybe partially shaped by the comments of dutch players who come out to the a league and say the quality of the a league is similar to the Eredivisie. The standard of some of the smaller clubs could be considered comparable, but even excluding the three obvious powerhouses of dutch football there are still other clubs which would shark on the a league clubs (AZ, Willem II, Heerenveen, Vitesse). If Libby goes to a good club in the Eredivisie and develops well he's in a bloody good shop window to be seen by clubs in the top tier leagues

You are dreaming. The Dutch league is excellent. Also the fact he speaks Italian is irrelevant. If he is good enough it will not matter.

Currently the Netherlands sit ninth in the European league co efficients.

Below Portugal, Russia and Belgium, one place above Ukraine 

"His offensive brilliance has contributed heavily to what could proceed to be the Wellington Phoenix’s best season since establishment"@LoganHu59245654 analyses @WgtnPhoenixFC's talent, Liberato Cacace:#tactics #analysishttps://t.co/vM3Q7N0ZZI

— The Analysis (@fbhfootball) July 18, 2020

Hope he comes to Marseille. The club is looking for a backup left back for Amani. He would develop nicely under coach VilasBoas and Marseille is playing Champions League football next season. Ligue 1 would be a good level for him IMO. Come on Libby, why freeze your  arse off in Northern European winter, come to OM and live by the Mediterranean.

might be according to the dominion post

Is this a Joke? He is surely better than that.

Disappointing if that's the club, however if he wants to go and the club gets a strong offer like the article says then fair enough. Silver lining would probably be the familiarity Muscat has with libby already, you'd back him to get some good playing time throughout the season. Think we all rate him higher than sint truiden though. 

See my previous post about Italy 

Libby needs to move to a higher level, but he also needs to play. Joining a 'lower team' in a better league makes a lot of sense. He will be tested more defensively... we all know he can attack, but how well can he really defend I think is a little less known and will play regularly.

Rather this, than join a bigger club and not play.

I really hope Libby is not looking at Belgium.  May as well stay in the A League.  He can do much better than that.

Nothing about Muscrat makes this possible move a silver lining. Would be the last person i would want to have any sort of influence over Libby. If this is the move being considered sorry just shake my head and go why.

There are hundreds of managers who are COD's.

Muscat is a proven winner as a manager in the A League and has earned his chance to coach overseas... which is harder said than done for an Aussie, look at Ange for example (could only get a gig in Japan despite his success).

He's a tool yes, but if he is willing to give Libby a chance to test himself at a higher level, give him good game time then its still a win for Libby.

Personalities mean nothing in football, one mans villian is another mans hero... The NIX gave Sigmund and ambassador role, yet if we are honest, he was a thug at times on the football pitch and I don't see anyone complaining about his role promoting the game.

Football fans are too fickle!!

In a blatant case of alien hand syndrome I am unable to stop my fingers from typing even though my brain is asking my upper limbs to stop...
Muscat would be great for Libby. His MVC played great football, attacked from the back, gave youngsters a chance. I doubt the coach's thuggery will seep through to Libby... If anything it will make him a better competitor.

What I feel uneasy about is the choice of club. Libby could do so much better. Yes, if he played at Ajax, PSV, Anderlecht etc he would have more competition but I think he is at that level. For someone in such high demand I anticipated a more glamorous transfer. Maybe not Bayern like Sapreet... But at top 4 club in one of the 5-8 best leagues in Europe.

He's only 19, let's not forget Ryan Thomas landed a big move to PSV after establishing himself at PEC Zwolle. Even if Cacace took two years to get a better move, he'd still be considered young at 21.

Dutch club PEC Zwolle were interested in Wellington Phoenix's Liberato Cacace, but he appears likely to be joining Sint-Truiden in Belgium. Zwolle, who are looking for a left-back, are also trialing Ex-Adelaide defender Michaël Maria. [voetbalprimeur]https://t.co/jyLk8ELGZ8

— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) August 1, 2020

Hopefully just rumours about Belgium.  The Netherlands would be a far better option for him.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/122460382/english-championship-clubs-show-interest-in-wellington-phoenix-ace-liberato-cacace

nothing to see here

Wynton has done this a hundred times over the years

He will have options galore... but only if they stump up the cash. NIX would be silly to let him negotiate with any club that isn't willing to pay a decent fee for him.

Edit: Oops, had two threads open and thought this was re: Gary Hooper. Ignore.

Isn't Libby here until the end of the 2020/21 season? Gill mentioned he had a 2+1 year deal

Oops, had two threads open and thought this was re: Gary Hooper. Ignore.

Libby makes the Opta team of the Year with the 2nd highest player rating

I have to say, for all the transfer rumors, I'm quite surprised Libby is still here give that some European teams have ready started preseason. Whether this is by his own doing or that negotiations are still ongoing, I'm just pleased with each passing say he gets closer to seeing the season out with us!

Likewise, a little strange but also good for us.

Maybe it implies he may be joining a bigger club and league then initially implied rather then joining and starting at a mid table Belgium club whose season has already commenced

The club may see him as an investment, not a first teamer immediately and are happy he is getting game time in an environment he knows.

We should find out soon - hopefully after the final

The bigger club theory, could have some legs. 

For what it's worth new club season in Belgium has started this weekend. 

Holland still 3 weeks away.

Italy later still I believe.

Thought it had been said somewhere that he was going to finish the season with us before going anywhere. Given his contribution to the Phoenix in the last couple of years wouldnt be surprised at all if he didnt want to wait till this season was over. 

I’m sure he would want to do the right thing and see the season out 

But I imagine if Kevin Muscat was the front runner and was going to part with some decent cash - he would want him on board ASAP as theIr season has already commenced 

The buying club would always have the upper hand and fair enough as well

libby has said that he wants to stay till the end of the nix season, good on him too.

Yes he has said that but if someone buys him they'd probably want him over there ASAP. I must say looking at all the rumours a few weeks back I'm fairly shocked (and pleased) that he's still here!